In its first batch of entries, the panel gives its predictions and hopes for this year's Academy Award nominations.

Amanda Hepburn Tyne and Wear "I get frustrated with the Academy" Trevor Martin San Francisco "Could Brokeback Mountain precipitate a cultural change?" Megan McLeod Ottawa, Canada "The good movies showed up late, just in time for Oscar "

Scott Christie London "I've always enjoyed Clooney's style behind the camera" Todd Beasley Augusta, Georgia "An impressive list of candidates will compete this year" Debra Tysall Los Angeles "I have seen some truly terrific performances"

The readers' panel has been selected from as wide a cross-section of people as possible and may not be representative of wider public opinion.