Oscar fans can apply for bleacher seats

Sep 16, 2008 by Ian Evans

For an Oscar® fan, it’s the next best thing to being Johnny Depp or Charlize Theron’s date on the big night. The annual online drawing for some of the most sought-after seats of the year is about to get underway.

Here are the official rules direct from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:

Beginning on Monday, September 22, at noon ET/9 a.m. PT, and continuing for only one week, fans may apply on Oscars.org to win seats on the Academy Awards® red carpet. There are only 300 seats available along the 500-foot-long walkway that leads into the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®.

The lucky winners will watch and cheer Oscar nominees, presenters and other ceremony guests as they arrive at the 81st Academy Awards on Sunday, February 22, 2009. Following the red carpet arrivals, the winners will be invited to watch the Academy Awards telecast at a nearby location.

The application form will be available at www.oscars.org/bleachers. The online-only application process will close on Sunday, September 28, at 9 p.m. PT.

To be eligible for the random drawing, an individual must complete the application form in its entirety. Applications may only be submitted online. Forms may not be returned via U.S. mail, fax or private delivery service such as UPS or FedEx.

Applicants may register up to four persons; however, only one form will be accepted per person or group.

Those whose names are selected in the random drawing will be notified in early October. They will then be required to submit additional information for security purposes prior to final approval. Eligible attendees will receive a confirmation letter in early December with information pertinent to the event.

Only those individuals who have been pre-approved by the Academy will have access to the bleachers. Those who wait overnight to attempt admittance will not be granted entry.

The Academy will not be responsible for securing travel and/or hotel accommodations for winners.

Okay, there you have it. Good luck!

Stick with DigitalHit.com for coverage of the 81st Annual Academy Awards.