Students replace models as Oscar trophy carriers

LOS ANGELES (AP) - You know those tall, leggy beauties that normally carry the Oscar trophies so the stars can present them? They've been replaced this year by aspiring filmmakers.

Six college students from across the country won a contest to help present the Oscar statuettes this year.

"This tradition of the buxom babe that comes out and brings the trophy to the presenter to give to the winner seemed to be very antiquated and kind of sexist, too," said Mr Neil Meron, co-producer of this year's Academy Awards. "They're just there to be objectified. Why can't we have people who actually care about film and are the future of film be the trophy presenters?"

So he and co-producer Craig Zadan developed a contest directed at college students that asked: How will you contribute to the future of film?