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Philly's Oscars party scene

The Academy Awards is a spectator sport. This year celebrating its 88th annual event - at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC - the Oscars' race is as heady and competitive as cashing in on a horse race or betting on a boxing match. The participants are just better dressed.

Matt Damon is a best-actor nominee for "The Martian," up for best picture. Watch for Oscar host Chris Rock to skewer the Academy for its less-than-diverse slate of nominees.
Matt Damon is a best-actor nominee for "The Martian," up for best picture. Watch for Oscar host Chris Rock to skewer the Academy for its less-than-diverse slate of nominees.Read moreTwentieth Century Fox

The Academy Awards is a spectator sport.

This year celebrating its 88th annual event - at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC - the Oscars' race is as heady and competitive as cashing in on a horse race or betting on a boxing match. The participants are just better dressed.

This year's big night is hosted by Chris Rock, who will surely, and necessarily, comment throughout the night about the not-so-diverse slate of nominees.

That bloodlust competition is worth a night out of drinking and dressing-to-impress among other film enthusiasts. Here's a list of the area's best Oscar-night parties.

Philadelphia Film Society

With its role organizing Philadelphia's premier film festival, the Philadelphia Film Society is a natural fit to host a soiree. "It's our third annual party, but our first at our new home," says PFS executive director J. Andrew Greenblatt of the group's move from the PFS-owned Roxy Theater on Sansom Street to the roomier Prince on Chestnut. The awards will be shown on the biggest screen in Philadelphia. Greenblatt notes that many of the nominees - Room, Spotlight, and Brooklyn - had their Philadelphia premiere at the 24th Philadelphia Film Festival. "Our members saw them well before they were released nationwide," he says. "So we'll celebrate them again together."

7 p.m. at the Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. VIP Tickets: $75 ($65 PFS Members). GA: $45 in advance, $55 at the door, $35 PFS Members. VIP ticket-holders get premium seating, exclusive bar and buffet, and gift bags. Information: 267-239-2941 or www.filmadelphia.org.

South Jersey Screenwriters

The 260-member group cozies up to the Greater Philadelphia Film Office with this no-cover screening. Fifteen percent of each attendee's tab goes to the GPFO. Knowing the reputation of some hard-drinking screenwriters (cue Trumbo), there's going to be a lot of charity given at this Oscar jam.

6 p.m. at PJ Whelihan's, 1854 Marlton Pike E., Cherry Hill. Tickets: Free. Information: Email info@SouthJersey

Screenwriters.org or visit southjerseyscreenwriters.org.

Oscar Night Party at Square 1682

The Hotel Palomar bar and restaurant has been running a swank Academy Awards affair since its opening in 2009. Cineasts and casual film fans do a red-carpet step-and-repeat with a paparazzo to snap their pic to kick off the festivities. Partygoers receive free truffle popcorn and can choose from a list of nice-priced Champagne cocktails and film-themed drinks.

6 p.m. at Square 1682, 121 S. 17th St. Admission: Free. Information: 215-563-5008 or www.square1682.com.

County Theater

Doylestown's County Theater is offering free popcorn and fountain drinks with admission, desserts from the Bucks County Cookie Co., and fill-in ballots to play along with the show.

7:30 p.m. at the County Theater, 20 E. State St., Doylestown. Tickets: $6 for members, $10.50 for general admission, $8 for seniors. Information: 215-345-6789 or www.countytheater.org.

Ambler Theater

The Oscars will be shown on three screens for Ambler's big film night. Before you take your seat, though, check out one of the local eateries - Bridget's Steakhouse, Cantina Feliz, From the Boot, Gypsy Blu, the Lucky Well, Massa, and Saffron - with Academy Awards specials. A red-carpet reception will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with awards going to the best dressed of the evening. There will also be a photo booth, bottomless popcorn and drinks, and a raffle.

6:30 p.m. at the Ambler Theater, 108 E. Butler Ave., Ambler. Tickets: $15 for members, $25 for general admission. Information: 215-345-7855 or www.amblertheater.org.

Oscars With the Fashion Group International

This Philadelphia Oscar-night newcomer hosted by the Fashion Group International might just be the dressiest affair. Not only will FGI hold a costume contest, but it also will have historical costume commentary throughout the party. FGI's Laura Baciu says she wanted "amazing ambience as the backdrop for a night of fashion, food, libations, and Hollywood theatrics." She said her goal was to "play off the past, featuring photos of past Oscar fashions over the decades." Carmelita Couture will style live models during the party.

6 p.m., The Little Lion, 243 Chestnut St. Tickets: $55 FGI members, $65 nonmembers. Information: 267-273-0688 or www.fgiphiladelphia.ticketleap.com/oscar.