Emmy nominees Zimmer, Hale and Malek party with Audi

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – The Emmy Awards won’t be presented until Sunday night, but the festivities have already begun.

Show sponsor Audi hosted its annual pre-Emmy celebration Thursday at Catch restaurant in West Hollywood, California, where nominees such as Constance Zimmer, Tony Hale, Rami Malek and Melora Hardin were the guests of honour. Other stars enjoying the party included Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Foxx, and “Modern Family” stars Sara Hyland and Nolan Gould.

Though Hale already has two Emmy statuettes for his work as a supporting actor on “Veep,” he’s still anxious about Sunday’s ceremony.

“I still get excited about the free food and the free drinks and the way they decorate… I’m always pretty nervous because it’s something I never thought I’d be at. I never thought I’d be on that list,” he said. “My sister is coming to town, so I’m very excited about that, because it’s fun to share it with her and see it through her eyes, because she’s never experienced that.”

He said they’ll probably go to the farmer’s market before the show.

Zimmer is relishing her first Emmy nomination — supporting actress for playing coldhearted Quinn on “Unreal” — though she insists she won’t win.

“I’m up against Game of Thrones, I’m up against Dame Maggie Smith, Maura Tierney — it’s an incredible group of women,” Zimmer said. “Honestly, I don’t even need to win. I mean, sure it would be great and amazing, but I’m just happy in this moment.”

She’s also hoping for a very specific celebrity run-in at the ceremony.

“To be perfectly honest, I really want to meet Beyoncé,” Zimmer said. “I just saw (her concert) last night and I’m like, ‘She’s going to be at the Emmys!’”

For Hardin, nominated for her guest starring role in “Transparent,” there’s no pressure Sunday. Her category was already presented a week ago at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, where Tina Fey and Amy Poehler won for hosting “Saturday Night Live.”

“I won’t be nervous sitting there feeling all the emotions,” Hardin said. “I have some friends who are nominated who I’m very excited about, so it’s possible I could have some nerves for them, but mostly I can just go and enjoy it.”

She said she’s looking forward to seeing what host Jimmy Kimmel has planned.

Catch was its own lure for some guests Thursday night. The seafood restaurant, with wrap-around patios that offer views of the city and the Hollywood hills, doesn’t officially open until the end of the month.

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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen at www.twitter.com/APSandy .