Moderated by Mark Johnson, Producer of Diner, Rain Man, Moonlight Mile, The Notebook. Featuring representatives of the 2004 Best Foreign Language Film Nominees.

77th Academy Awards® nominees for best foreign language film of the year, seen here February 25, 2005, in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. From left to right: Oliver Hirschbiegel, director of "Downfall", Darrell Roodt, director of "Yesterday", Alejandro Amenabar, director of "The Sea Inside" and Kay Pollak, director of "As It Is in Heaven". Not pictured here: Christophe Barratier, director of "The Chorus (Les Choristes)".

From what began as a small and intimate gathering of film directors representing their nominated films in the foreign language film category, this annual event has turned into an SRO happening that is as entertaining as it is informative. Each year the Academy invites the five directors to appear live on-stage accompanied by film clips from their nominated foreign language films.

This year's symposium, as in the past, took place the day before the Oscar® presentation ceremony. Moderated by producer Mark Johnson, it brought together on one stage some of the world's top filmmakers, discussing such wide-ranging topics as art, politics and moviemaking. In addition to featuring film clips, the approximately two-hour event also provided an opportunity for questions from the audience.