Oscar Ballots to Be Mailed Friday

Wednesday December 24, 2008 07:15 AM EST

Hugh Jackman

Jon Furniss/WireImage

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Yahoo Buzz
• E-mail

Santa's not the only one taking to the skies: The first round of Oscars ballots are due to be in the mail to members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday, reports Variety.

Some 5,810 voting members will select which actors and movies will be nominated, with these picks then narrowed down to the nominees that will be announced at the Academy headquarters' Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills on Jan. 22.

After that comes a second round of voting, this time to decide the winners to be announced at the Feb. 22 Oscarcast from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

This year's ceremony will be hosted by PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive, Australia star Hugh Jackman.
– Stephen M. Silverman