Six years ago, while in Uganda filming The Last King of Scotland, actor Forest Whitaker stopped by a school for orphans called Hope North.

FORBES: Oscar Winner Forest Whitaker's New Role: Fighting For Africa's Child Soldiers

In the best actor race, The Departed will secure Leonardo DiCaprio a spot alongside Peter O'Toole (Venus), Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland), Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness) and Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson).

BBC: NEWS | Entertainment | Oscars panel: Scott Williams