What they're saying:

'Invictus'

• "I'd like to thank the Academy for this extraordinary honor. Congratulations to Matt Damon on his nomination. I'm especially grateful to Clint Eastwood, 'Invictus' producer Lori McCreary, and the entire cast and crew of 'Invictus.' Most importantly, thank you to Nelson Mandela for his encouragement, his blessing and his friendship -- without which, this film would not have been possible."
-- Morgan Freeman, best actor nominee

• "To be directed by Clint Eastwood every day and to sit across the table from Morgan Freeman and watch him do what he did was a dream come true. I'm so grateful that this role came my way."
-- Matt Damon, supporting actor nominee

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'Precious'

• "I am so excited and honored to be recognized by the Academy and included in such a remarkable group of actors. I'm very proud of my film, my cast and extremely grateful to Mr. Daniels for the incredible opportunity to play Precious."
-- Gabourey Sidibe, leading actress nominee

• "What an honor to be nominated for this prestigious award. God bless us".
-- Mo'Nique, supporting actress nominee

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'Up'

• "We are humbled and grateful to the Academy. Being nominated among these remarkable animated films is such an amazing privilege. On top of that, to be honored as one of the best pictures of the year is just mind-blowing. It's truly been a long, wonderful ride getting here, and with all sincerity it really does feel like we're floating on air."
-- Director-writer Pete Docter and producer Jonas Rivera of "Up," which is nominated for best picture, animated feature, sound editing, original screenplay and original score

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'The Princess and the Frog'

• "This rare honor is a thrill, not only for us, but for the 400 or more artists who gave so much of their talents in bringing classical hand-drawn Disney animation back to the big screen."
-- Ron Clements and John Musker, directors of "Princess and the Frog," nominated for animated feature and original song.

• "This is a great moment for all of us in the animation community, and we're all so incredibly proud that 'Up' has been nominated by the Academy in three key categories, especially the 'Best Picture' category.
"This milestone achievement is a great tribute to the filmmaking talents of director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera, and the entire team at Pixar, who worked so hard to create such wonderfully entertaining characters, and develop an original story that was filled with emotion, humor, adventure, and excitement.
"We're equally proud that 'The Princess and the Frog,' our latest hand-drawn animated feature from Disney, has been recognized in the best animated feature film and best song categories. With its fantastic animation, original characters, memorable music, and beautiful artistry, it ranks along with the studio's very best efforts."
-- John Lasseter, chief creative officer, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and executive producer, "Up" and "Princess and the Frog"

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'The Blind Side'

• "Who would have thought after all these years that I would be experiencing this moment now ... I certainly didn't. But I am honored beyond words to experience this journey with John Lee Hancock and Gil Netter, and to continue this astounding ride with the extraordinary women I share this category with. My time with them these past few months has meant more than anything to me."
-- Sandra Bullock, best actress nominee

• "We are so grateful to the Academy for this staggering honor. We want to thank John Lee Hancock for writing and directing a wonderful film that has been the pleasure of our careers to produce; to Sandra Bullock, who brought the character so fully to life, and to our producing partners Gil Netter and Molly Smith."
-- Producers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove

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'A Serious Man'

• "We are very happy to have received these nominations and would like to thank the Academy and everyone that made this film possible -- a special thanks to Focus Features and Working Title Films. Thank you very much."
-- Filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, nominated for best picture and original screenplay

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'Coraline'

• "I feel very lucky and very grateful that 'Coraline' is nominated. There were more excellent animated features released in 2009 than in any year before, so being included makes all of us from LAIKA and Focus Features very proud
"And the diversity of the nominees in both storytelling and animation techniques gladdens my heart: 'The Princess and the Frog' and 'The Secret of Kells,' done in hand-drawn animation; 'Coraline' and 'Fantastic Mr. Fox,' in stop-motion; and 'Up,' in glorious CG.
"It's a great day for me, my family, and for all of us on 'Coraline' -- and a great day for animated feature films."
-- Director/writer/producer Henry Selick

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'District 9'

• "Every aspiring filmmaker dreams of being nominated by the Academy, but when we began making 'District 9,' none of us dared to think that our small film, shot in South Africa, with no well-known actors, could be Oscar nominated.
"And honestly, if it weren't for Peter Jackson's belief in the film, we wouldn't be here today. I'm extremely gratified, excited, and humbled, and I'm also grateful to the Academy for recognizing so many of the talented people who helped make it a reality.
-- Neill Blomkamp, nominated co-writer of adapted screenplay.

• "I can't begin to express the gratitude I feel for the many people responsible for making 'District 9' a film that the Academy members deemed worthy of this honor. Surrounded by the brilliant talents as I was, one can't help but be raised higher and there is no doubt about it, this is as high as it gets!
"So I am forever indebted and grateful to Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson for being so very generous in sharing their genius for story with us. Thank you to the unbelievably talented Sharlto Copley who took our script and literally became Wikus, taking him to places far exceeding anything existing on the page.
"Thank you to Image Engine, The Embassy, Weta Digital and Weta Workshop for bringing the story to life with such incredible creativity and frightening realism. And thank you to my brilliant co-writer and director Neill Blomkamp, whose vision and brilliance never ceases to raise the bar higher than I dare dream.
-- Terri Tatchell, nominated co-writer of adapted screenplay