Movie stars, artists and advocates have jointly released an open letter calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons, inspired by the US film "Oppenheimer."

The letter came ahead of the Academy Awards ceremony scheduled for Sunday. The awards-nominated movie features physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who led the US program to develop the atomic bomb during World War Two.

The film has been nominated in 13 categories, including Best Picture and Best Director.

The 37 authors of the letter include stars such as Michael Douglas, Emma Thompson and some cast members of the film, as well as the physicist's grandson, Charles Oppenheimer.

The letter is titled "An open letter from Hollywood on Oppenheimer and nuclear weapons." It says, "We must demand that global leaders work to make nuclear weapons history - and build a brighter future."

In Los Angeles, large billboards and posters have appeared, with messages such as: "Oppenheimer started it. We can end it."

James McKeon, the founder of the organization behind the initiative, said: "Nuclear weapons are not history. They are with us."

He said he believes that the actions taken by public figures can raise awareness among people.