A woman may break some new ground in Hollywood this weekend.

Kathryn Bigelow, who’s nominated for the best director Oscar for the “Hurt Locker”, would become the first woman to win in that category should she be handed the trophy Sunday evening.

She’s up against James Cameron (Avatar), Quentin Tarantino (Inglorious Basterds), Lee Daniels (Precious) and Jason Reitman (Up in the Air).

According to Oscar-winning producer Cathy Schulman, only seven per cent of the year’s 250 top films were directed by women.

The red carpet has been rolled out in front of the Academy Awards venue, LA’s Kodak Theater, while celebrity presenters continue to rehearse inside. Some Oscar nominees will be presenting statues, including Sandra Bullock, Carey Mulligan, Jeff Bridges, Tarantino and Matt Damon.

Click here for the full list of nominees

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will host Sunday night's show.

Chef Wolfgang Puck is busy preparing the menu for the 4,600 guests expected to attend the Academy Awards Governors Ball. The culinary lineup includes tiny Kobe beef burgers, ahi tuna cones and smoked salmon shaped like the coveted trophy topped with caviar. A twist on the classic chicken pot pie will be served as the main. More than 300 chefs and 600 waiters will serve the dinner.