Great British Toast to Oscar Nominees

British Consul General Dame Barbara Hay Welcomes Anna Pacquin, Stephen Moyer, Henry Cavill, Jared Harris, James Frain for a GREAT British Toast to Oscar Nominees at the GREAT British Film Reception

At the “GREAT British Film Reception” to toast British Oscar nominees, the London-based Groucho Club served martinis shaken, not stirred.

Held Feb. 22 at the British Consul General’s residence in Los Angeles, the ”James Bond Vesper Martini” seemed an ideal beverage choice for the evening. Considering the latest James Bond film, “Skyfall,” has been nominated for five Academy Awards, what could be better?

There was even a former 007 – George Lazenby – among guests. The British actor starred in the classic, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” There, too, were Thomas Newman, Oscar-nominated composer of “Skyfall;” and Michael Wilson, producer of “Skyfall,” “Quantum of Solace,” “Casino Royale,” “Die Another Day,” and “The World is Not Enough.”

Moreover, a 2013 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe was on display for the actors, filmmakers and friends of Great Britain who came to celebrate the 33 British filmmakers among this year’s Academy Award nominees.

Given the impressive turnout, British Consul General Dame Barbara Hay spent a good half of the party graciously receiving guests in the lobby. Hay hosted the event, along with the British Film Commission and Visit Britain.

(Check out the photo gallery below to see party pictures.)

The star-filled guest lists included Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer of “True Blood,” Henry Cavill of “Man of Steel” and “The Immortals,” James Frain of “True Blood,” “Tron: Legacy” and “The Tudors,” Jared Harris of “Lincoln” and “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” Jason Isaac of “Awake,” Julian Sands of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Graham McTavish of “The Hobbit,” Jane Seymour of “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” Xander Berkeley of “Terminator 2,” Gina Carano of “Haywire,” plus Christian Cooke, Sarah Parish, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Tanya Franks, James Murray and Erin Richards.

More VIP guests were former Sony chair Sir Howard Stringer, “Les Miserables” producer Cameron Mackintosh and director Tom Hooper; “Invisible War” producer Amy Ziering and director Kirby Dick; “Anna Karenina” composer Dorio Marianelli and his daughter Elsa; “Searching for Sugarman” producers Andrew Ruhemann and John Battsek; and “Kon-Tiki” producer Jeremy Thomas, director Peter Medak and attorney Paul Wright.

Before proposing a toast, Hay praised the filmmakers in the crowd for giving pleasure to people around the world, in addition to contributing to the economy and creating jobs. ”I think this is the one time of the year when we can stand up straight, shoulders back, tummies in and all the rest of it,” she said.

Aside from Aston Martin and The Groucho Club, which also served Pimm’s Cup cocktails, sponsors included British Airways, Ted Baker, Topshop/Topman and Expedia.

Top photo: Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer of “True Blood” are among those offering a GREAT British toast to Oscar nominees at the GREAT British Film Reception (Photo by Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images for The British Film Commission)

Second photo: James Frain, left, of “The Tudors” and Graham McTavish of “The Hobbit” are among those offering a GREAT British toast to Oscar nominees at the GREAT British Film Reception (Photo by Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images for The British Film Commission)

Third photo: British Consul General Dame Barbara Hay welcomes Tom Hooper, director of “Les Miserables to the GREAT British Toast to Oscar nominees at the GREAT British Film Reception (Photo by Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images for The British Film Commission)