Oscar: The next generation

Sarah Polley

Age: 29

Back story: The Canadian debuted in the 1985 Disney film "One Magic Christmas." Polley made the transition from child to adult star in such films as "The Sweet Hereafter."

Nominated for:

Adapted screenplay ("Away From Her")

Noteworthy Praise for Polley, and Oscar momentum for "Away From Her," began with the film's debut at Sundance in 2007, where critics including The Times' Kenneth Turan singled her out as a director to watch.