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It's one of the most eclectic groups in the world and while many are called, few are chosen.

And those few who succeeded in earning an Academy Award nomination this year came together for a class photo Monday in Beverly Hills.

It took time to assemble them all in place but once they did, the gaggle of actors, directors, producers and other movie-making professionals did mange to say 'cheese' at the same time.

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Dotted among the crowd were famous faces familiar from being on screen in the most acclaimed films of 2016.

But everyone including the behind-the-scenes folk that make the magic happen and are recognized with an Oscar nod are featured in the group picture.

And with just three weeks to go before the big show, the excitement - and the nerves - is clearly ratcheting up.

Seated front row on the left side pof the large golden Oscar statue were emma Stone, five seats in, who was next to Matt Damon, then Natalie Portman and Octavia Spencer

Seated on the front row to the right of the giant Oscar were Mahershala Ali, second from left, then two seats away from him Justin Timberlake  next to Ruth Negga

Towards the back of the group it was possible to make out Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel and Mel Gibson standing next to each other

The annual nominees luncheon is a rite of passage and naturally everyone tried to put their best sartorial foot forward as they gathered at the Beverly Hills Hilton.

And the group got the chance to nibble on salad and drink red wine or pink champagne in the cavernous ballroom, which was decorated with huge bouquets of white roses.

Leading actresses Natalie Portman, Emma Stone, Nicole Kidman and Michelle Williams showed just how it is done, showing up in designer duds and perfect hair. 

Fashion standouts: : Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams, Emma Stone and Nicole Kidman brought the glamour

She's back: Pregnant Natalie Portman, named Best Actress in 2011 for Black Swan, showed off her growing bump in a belted black dress

For many this will be their first time at the gilded ceremony on February 26. But a select few will be returning in the hope of adding a second or even third Oscar to their collection.

Indeed that's the case for Natalie, a one-time winner who received her third nomination for Jackie.

The pregnant 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.

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. 

Nicole Kidman is nominated for a Best Supporting Actress for Lion; this is the fourth Oscar nomination for the 49-year-old, who was named Best Actress in 2003 for The Hours. 

Bold and beautiful: 2017 marks the fourth Oscar nomination for Michelle, 36, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Manchester By The Sea

Suits her: Nicole is nominated for a Best Supporting Actress for Lion and it is her fourth Oscar nomination

Made of Stone: For Emma, who was previously nominated in 2015 for Birdman, this will be her second chance at winning

For Emma, who was previously nominated in 2015 for Birdman, this will be her second chance 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.

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. 

Emma certainly seemed happy to be at Monday's party, and gravitated for her fellow nominees and former The Help castmates Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis. 

Viola is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Fences, while Octavia was nominated for Hidden Figures.

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

Catching up: Dev Patel and Mahershala Ali laugh together as they enjoy themselves at the luncheon

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 as a producer 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

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.

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.

Back in the thick of things: Mel Gibson celebrates his return to the A list at the event; he is nominated for Best Director for Hacksaw Ridge

Finally! Despite having multiple awards, Justin Timberlake got his first Oscar nomination for his track Can’t Stop The Feeling! from the soundtrack of the DreamWorks Animation pic Trolls; he is seen chatting with  Casey Affleck

No expense spared! The nominees nibbled on salad and drank red wine and pink champagne in in the cavernous luncheon room, which was decorated with huge bouquets of white roses