This year’s foreign language nominees come from Mexico, Greece, Denmark, Canada and Algeria. Javier Bardem, who stars in the Mexican entry

Biutiful

, is also nominated for best actor.

Nominee Jeff Bridges says the Oscars help publicize filmmakers and their films.

"These awards, as well as being a chance to acknowledge our peers’ great work, it’s also kind of a commercial for the motion picture industry. It’s a chance for all of the filmmakers and the studios to say, come on, see our movie," Bridges said.

James Franco, a best actor nominee for the survival tale

127 Hours

, will cohost the Oscar presentation with actress Anne Hathaway. The show will give its usual bow to Hollywood history, but Franco says the job is to draw in younger viewers as well.