Dame Barbara also welcomed to her residence special guest, Department for Culture, Media and Sport Minister, Jeremy Hunt. At the reception, nominees such as Gary Oldman (Best Actor, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) were joined by Hollywood elites to celebrate all that is GREAT about British film.

On the weekend of the 84th Academy Awards, the reception also marked the launch of the UK's GREAT Campaign in Los Angeles, home of the world's largest entertainment industry. The UK's own creative sector, the largest per head in the world, is booming. Film is a huge part of that success as the industry adds £1 billion per year to the UK economy and employs thousands of people in the UK. This year, 21 Oscar nominees are British and, should any win the statue on Sunday, will add to the 21 Oscars won by UK films in just the past 5 years.

During the event Minister Jeremy Hunt said:
"One of the things we're incredibly proud of is our British film industry and the very close links we have with Hollywood. We think that film is an incredibly important part of our cultural heritage."

British film was not the only part of the UK's creative sector on display at the reception. An original piece of art by David Hockney, the renowned British artist and former resident of Los Angeles, was unveiled for the first time ever. The piece, drawn on his iPad, was created for the launch of the London 2012 Festival, the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad that opens 21 June this year. Two other Hockney pieces, which depict the renewing qualities of spring in his hometown of Yorkshire, were also on display at the reception for the first time anywhere outside of the UK. The artist's renderings highlight GREAT British creativity fused with innovation, and showcase the beauty that is GREAT Britain.