Ziskin to produce 2007 Academy Awards

HOLLYWOOD, July 21 (UPI) -- Laura Ziskin, who produced the 74th Academy Awards, has been tapped to produce the 2007 awards ceremony in Hollywood, Calif.

Ziskin was in charge of mounting the awards ceremony in 2002, which was the longest in its history -- four hours and 23 minutes -- Daily Variety reported.

In that year, "A Beautiful Mind" won for best picture, Halle Berry won for best actress in "Monster's Ball" and Denzel Washington won for best actor in "Training Day."

Whoopi Goldberg hosted the event, which came back to Hollywood for the first time in 40 years, and was held at the Kodak Theater.

The event, which came just months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, featured warm tributes to New York.

Ziskin is currently in production on "Spider-Man 3" to be released next summer.

The 79th Academy Awards will air Feb. 25, 2007.

Voting begins on Dec. 26, when nomination ballots are mailed. The nominees will be announced Jan. 23.