Best supporting actress Octavia Spencer (L) from "The Help" and best actress for "The Iron Lady" Meryl Streep attend the Governor's Ball for the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 26, 2012.REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Best supporting actress Octavia Spencer (L) from "The Help" and best actress for "The Iron Lady" Meryl Streep attend the Governor's Ball for the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 26, 2012.REUTERS/Lucy NicholsonWinner of best supporting actress for "The Help", Octavia Spencer (2nd L), and winner of best actress for "The Iron Lady," Meryl Streep, share champagne during the Governors Ball following the 84th Academy AwardsREUTERS/Lucy NicholsonJean Dujardin, winner of the best actor award for his role in the film "The Artist", kisses his Oscar after it was engraved at the Governor's Ball for the 84th Academy AwardsREUTERS/Lucy NicholsonMeryl Streep, best actress winner for her role in "The Iron Lady," shows off her Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, same shoes that Margaret Thatcher used to wear, at the Governors Ball at the 84th Academy AwardsREUTERS/Lucy NicholsonBret McKenzie, winner of Best Original Song for "Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets", throws his Oscar into the air as he arrives at the Governors Ball after the 84th Academy Awards.REUTERS/Lucy NicholsonAsghar Farhadi (C), director of Iranian film "A Separation" poses with actor Peyman Maadi (L) and director of photography Mahmoud Kalari, winner of best foreign language film from Iran, at the Governors Ball at the 84th Academy AwardsREUTERS/Lucy NicholsonLudovic Bource, winner of Music (Original Score) award for the film "The Artist" poses at the Governors Ball at the 84th Academy Awards.REUTERS/Lucy NicholsonFrench Director, Michel Hazanavicius, winner of best director for his film "The Artist" smiles with his Oscar statuette during the Governors Ball following the 84th Academy Awards.REUTERS/Lucy NicholsonChristopher Plummer, winner of the best supporting actor award for his role in "Beginners", arrives at the Governors Ball after the 84th Academy Awards.REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
The 84<sup>th Academy Awards may be over... the parties, however, are only just beginning!
The winners of this year's award will be looking to celebrate their success late into the night, at the official Governors Ball.
It was clearly an emotional moment for many of the stars, who were joined by fellow nominees and other Oscar attendees in greeting all their well-wishers and the media.
Actresses Meryl Streep and Octavia Spencer shared a few laughs while sipping champagne and the Best Actor, Jean Dujardin, couldn't help but kiss his Oscar, after it was engraved at the ball. Streep was later seen showing off the Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, which Margaret Thatcher used to wear. She was also ecstatic when talking about her third Oscar in 30 years.
"I was happy shocked, happy shocked, happy shocked," Reuters quoted Streep as saying.
There were other interesting moments too.
The winner of the Best Original Song, Bret McKenzie, tossed his statuette in the air as he posed for photographs, while the director "A Separation", which won Best Foreign Film, happily posed for the cameras. Finally, Christopher Plummer, who is the oldest actor to win an Oscar, was also in the limelight, with his award for Best Supporting Actor.
The guests were treated to a feast that included mini chicken potpies, caviar, truffles, smoked salmons and that traditional American favourite - burgers with macaroni and cheese!