THE British Academy Film Awards have always been Oscar's poor relation. They've been regarded as an after-thought, a ceremony that occurs weeks after the more glamorous Academy Awards in Hollywood. The Oscar ceremony may be over the top but boy, do those film people know how to throw a party. Everything from the vacuuming of the arrivals red carpet to the underwear of the best actress winner comes under scrutiny.

But the powers-that-be at Bafta want to change all that. For starters, they separated the film and television ceremonies. They moved the film awards to the mighty Odeon cinema in London's Leicester Square instead of the old system of wining, dining and then handing over the prizes as almost an after-thought.

And now, most importantly, they've moved the date so that the Baftas are staged before the Oscars. The aim is to focus international attention on the British event, making it an indicator of who might be in the running for an Oscar the following month.

It's probably no accident that the Orange British Academy Film Awards - a reference to the sponsor not the colour of the prize - is being held on February 25, in the same week that London also plays host to the Olivier Theatre Awards, the Empire Film Awards, the Brits and London Fashion Week. Sounds as though there might be an unseemly scramble as they compete for celebrity presenters. The Baftas have already nabbed Mariella Frostup, available after the low ratings of her Panorama programme, and Stephen Fry.

The reliable Mr Fry, a man who could talk for England, comes complete with a quote saying how "absolutely delighted" he is to be host an event which is "moving towards a new importance". He goes on: "I am already a trifle nervous but once I have decided what I am going to wear I shall be a lot calmer about the whole evening. Something red, I think. Off the shoulder with D&G mules."

His Oscar counterpart is Steve Martin, making his debut as Academy Awards ceremony host. His comment was a simple "If you can't win'em, join 'em" - a reference to the fact that he's never been nominated for an Oscar.

Getting presenters to make daft comments is part of the make-over of the Orange Baftas. The Oscars press office sends out releases informing you of everything from the name of the traffic and security chief to the person co-ordinating the Governor's Ball after the ceremony.

The Bafta press people are doing the same. I can inform you that guests will be showered with mini gold Bafta-shaped confetti at the dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Let's hope it doesn't flutter down on to the main course of supreme of duck on a bed of diced Cox's apples and a calvados-infused sauce accompanied by layers of potato cooked in butter, carrots, snow peas and baby corn.

What celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck is preparing for the post-Oscars Governor's Ball is being revealed at a photo opportunity next week at Spago restaurant off Sunset Boulevard. Even the food gets its picture taken in Hollywood.

Last year, Oscar guests dined on tray-passed and pre-set appetizers followed by a three-course sit-down dinner. Smoked salmon on Oscar-shaped matzos and golden chocolate Oscars were among the specialities.

Fashion has become a major ingredient of any awards ceremony. Reviews of what's worn on the walk along the arrivals red carpet can be as cruel as any film criticism. Much is written about the low-cut dresses and high heels - and that's only the best actor contenders.

Designers compete to dress the top actresses and earn a free plug on TV while jewellers loan them millions of dollars of gems for the occasion. For the first time, there is an official Bafta jeweller - Gavello - while designers involved with the event include Prada, Versace and Brioni. Sadly, C&A were unable to provide an outfit for Julia Roberts before they closed.

The awards production company, Initial, will need two days just to transport the stage set into the Odeon as it will have to be reduced to 50 separate pieces before it can be moved.

The organisers have also had to adopt the Oscar trick of hiring professional "set fillers" to avoid empty seats being seen on TV. These fillers are usually out-of-work actors who take the place of a celebrity when he or she goes to perform, present or receive an award. And probably go to the loo too. Even movie stars need the toilet. Golden Globe winner Renee Zellnegger was caught out this week, almost missing collecting her prize as she was visiting the toilet at the time her win was announced.

So there you have it - fashion, food, fillers and all sorts of finery to make it a star-studded, jewel-encrusted, confetti-throwing evening to remember. But haven't we forgotten something? Oh yes, some people receive awards although it's increas-ingly easy to forget the real reason for the Oscars and the Baftas amid all the hoopla.

l The Orange British Film Awards will be screened on Sky One on February 25 and on BBC1 the following day. The Academy Awards take place on March 25. Nominations are announced on February 13.