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They are this year's chosen ones.

And the 2017 Oscar nominees looked suitably honoured as they gathered for the annual luncheon to celebrate their career-defining moment.

Natalie Portman, Emma stone, Nicole Kidman and Michelle Williams lead the pack as they gathered at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles on Monday.

Despite the wet weather on the wintry morning, there was not a hair out of place as the actors and actresses mingled with those being rewarded for their work behind the scenes.

The chosen ones: Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams and Emma Stone lead the pack as Oscars nominees gather for luncheon

Chosen for the work the previous year, the nominees are judged the best of the best by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which has judged them worthy of inclusion in one of it's 24 categories.

For many it will be their first time at the gilded ceremony. But a select few will be returning in the hope of adding a second or even third Oscar to their collection.

Indeed that's not the case for pregnant Natalie, the one-time winner who received her third nomination for Jackie.

Baby on the way: Natalie, named Best Actress in 2011 for Black Swan, showed off her growing bump in a belted black dress

The 35-year-old, named Best Actress in 2011 for Black Swan, showed off her growing bump in a belted black dress.

For Michelle Williams 2017 marks her fourth Oscar nomination, although unlike Natalie she has yet to win.

The 36-year-old is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Manchester By The Sea, and attended the luncheon in a asymmetrical peach and black dress. 

Dress rehearsal: Best Actress nominee Ruth Negga, Laura Dern and Best Supporting Actress nominee Octavia Spencer

For Emma, who was previously nominated in 2015 for Birdman, this will be her first attempt at winning an Oscar. 

The 28-year-old, who wore an off the shoulder gown, is nominated for Best Actress for her film La La Land, which looks set to be a big winner at this year's show.

The romantic showbiz musical topped the Oscars nominations list with a whopping 14 nods, tying the all-time record set by Titanic and All About Eve.

Networking gold: Viola Davis, Naomie Harris and Isabelle Huppert mingle at the bash

The movie - a whimsical tribute to Hollywood's Golden Age of musicals, set in modern-day Los Angeles - earned nods for best picture, best director for 32-year-old Damien Chazelle, and for Emma and her male co-star Ryan Gosling. 

This year's crop of nominees clearly reflected a push by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters to show more diversity after the #OscarsSoWhite controversy of the past two years.

The list features the largest number of nominations for black actors ever - six.

the competition: Ryan Gosling is going up against Casey Affleck (centre) in the Best Actor category, while Dev Patel (right) has landed a Best Supporting Actor nod

Big hitters: Matt Damon is nominated for Best Picture for Manchester By The Sea, while Denzel Washington is nominated for Best Picture and Best actor for Fences and Mahershala Ali for Best Supporting Actor for Moonlight

Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris are first-time nominees for Moonlight, while two-time winner Denzel Washington and multiple nominee Viola Davis are in the running again for their performance in Fences.

Also nominated are past winner Octavia Spencer, a Best Supporting Actress candidate for Hidden Figures, and Ruth Negga, in the best actress category for Loving.

No black tie here! Pharrell Williams  keeps it casual as he poses with Mimi Valdes