An online lottery opened Monday for movie fans across the world who want to see Hollywood stars up close in hopes of snagging bleacher seats alongside the red carpet on Oscar night.

A total of 300 seats along the 150-meter-long walkway in front of the Kodak Theater in Hollywood are available for the public, and people who want to try their luck should register at www.oscars.org/ bleachers, said the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which hands out the annual awards.

The lottery will be open for one week only, and applications can only be made online, according to the Academy.

Applicants can register for up to four seats, but only one form will be accepted per person or group.

People whose names are selected will be notified in early October, then they will be required to submit additional information for security purposes prior to final approval. Winners will receive a confirmation letter in early December.

Following the stars' arrivals, the winners will be invited to watch the Academy Awards telecast show at a nearby location. The 81st Academy Awards ceremony for outstanding film achievements is scheduled on February 22, 2009.

According to the Academy, as many as 20,000 fans from across the world have applied online for the bleacher seats in previous years.

(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2008)