Jessica Chastain. (WENN)

Actress Jessica Chastain has gone public with her Italian-born boyfriend during a glitzy pre-Academy Awards cocktail party.

The flame-haired beauty stepped out with fashion executive Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo on Friday at the Women in film Pre-Oscar Cocktail Party in Los Angeles.

The couple arrived arm-in-arm and spent the evening sharing affectionate kisses, sipping Champagne and chatting to Chastain's The Help co-star Viola Davis.

The 31-year-old hunk is an executive for French fashion brand Moncler.

Chastain admitted last month she was happy to be in a relationship with someone who isn't famous, insisting, "I have a rule. No actors... I've only been on a couple of dates with one and I was so freaked out someone was going to take a picture of us, because they were famous. I realised I wanted just to be able to hang out with someone... And I didn't want to talk about the business."

However, Chastain is bringing another guest as her date to the Academy Awards on Sunday - she is reportedly attending the ceremony with her grandmother.

The 35 year old is nominated in the Best Actress category for her performance in Zero Dark Thirty.