Short Cuts

The Academy Awards telecast occurs this Sunday, March 21, 7:30pm (CST), on ABC (ch.24, cable ch.3). In our continuing effort to make life easy for our readers, we present here a list/betting form/tally sheet of the contenders in the top eight categories. While preparing for the Oscars, you might want to tune in and catch the Independent Spirit Awards on the Independent Film Channel (cable 71), on Saturday, March 20, 5:30pm. These awards, presented by the IFP/West, honors the year's hottest independent films. The show repeats on the IFC's sister channel Bravo (cable 52) later Saturday evening, beginning at 10pm. Completedetails on the Independent Spirit Awards can be found at http://www.ifctv.com; likewise http://www.oscar.com for the Academy Awards. Also worth consideration is the Alamo Drafthouse'sAcademy Awards Watch Party, which will feature lots of fun stuff during the telecast's commercial breaks. The party begins Sunday at 7pm; see http://www.drafthouse.com for more info.

Picture

• Elizabeth
• Life Is Beautiful
• Saving Private Ryan
• Shakespeare in Love
• The Thin Red Line

Actor

• Roberto Benigni, Life Is Beautiful
• Tom Hanks, Saving Private Ryan
• Ian McKellen, Gods and Monsters
• Nick Nolte, Affliction
• Edward Norton, American History X

Actress

• Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth
• Fernanda Montenegro, Central Station
• Gwyneth Paltrow, Shakespeare in Love
• Meryl Streep, One True Thing
• Emily Watson, Hilary and Jackie

Director

• Roberto Benigni, Life Is Beautiful
• Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan
• John Madden, Shakespeare in Love
• Terrence Malick, The Thin Red Line
• Peter Weir, The Truman Show

Supporting Actress

• Kathy Bates, Primary Colors
• Brenda Blethyn, Little Voice
• Judi Dench, Shakespeare in Love
• Rachel Griffiths, Hilary and Jackie
• Lynn Redgrave, Gods and Monsters

Supporting Actor

• James Coburn, Affliction
• Robert Duvall, A Civil Action
• Ed Harris, The Truman Show
• Geoffrey Rush, Shakespeare in Love
• Billy Bob Thornton, A Simple Plan

Original Screenplay

• Warren Beatty and Jeremy Pikser, Bulworth
• Vincenzo Cerami and Roberto Benigni, Life Is Beautiful
• Robert Rodat, Saving Private Ryan
• Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, Shakespeare in Love
• Andrew Niccol, The Truman Show

Adapted Screenplay

• Bill Condon, Gods and Monsters
• Scott Frank, Out of Sight
• Elaine May, Primary Colors
• Scott B. Smith, A Simple Plan
• Terrence Malick, The Thin Red Line

This just in from the Celis Brewery: The local microbrewery is searching for filmmakers and musicians to develop the company's 1999 advertising campaign. The deadline for the First Annual Celis Pale Bock Film and Music Search is March 26. To enter, write a one-minute screenplay with a plot or a song with lyrics involving Celis Pale Bock beer and the theme "Refreshingly Austin." Entries may be mailed or taken to the Celis Brewery, Attn: Film & Music Search, 2431 Forbes Drive, Austin, TX 78754. For more info see http://www.celis.com or contactSergio Alcocer at LatinWorks Marketing, 479-6200.