'Birdman' has won the coveted Best Picture award at the Oscars along with honours for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
Britain's Eddie Redmayne took the best actor Oscar for his portrayal as physicist Stephen Hawking in the biographical movie 'The Theory of Everything.'
Julianne Moore claimed the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in 'Still Alice'.
A serious tone was set early by Patricia Arquette who brought the house down with a speech demanding "equal rights for women".
The actress, named best supporting actress for her role in Boyhood, accepted her award from last year's best supporting actor Jared Leto.
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Female stars are calling for reporters to ask them more thoughtful questions on the red carpet, not just who designed their dresses.
British writers singled out their inspirational mothers for the work they do taking calls in crisis centres.
Many of the stars at the Oscars shared a view from the other side of the red carpet on social media, here is a glimpse behind the curtain.