The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored outstanding cinematic achievements at its annual Governors Awards, transforming the Ovation Hollywood ballroom into an emotional tribute to pioneering artists.
The evening’s most moving moment was the posthumous acknowledgment of music superstar Quincy Jones, who died just two weeks before the ceremony. His daughter, actress Rashida Jones, took the honorary Oscar and spoke a touching tribute. “His music has defined an entire century of culture,” she told the audience, underlining the love that permeated her father’s work.
Jennifer Hudson delivered a stunning musical performance during the tribute to Jones’ legacy, while Jamie Foxx provided a funny reminiscence. Jones had a seven-decade career in music and cinema and had already won seven Oscar nominations and a Humanitarian Award.
In another historic event, sister producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson were honored with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for their leadership of the James Bond brand. Daniel Craig, the actor, presented the prize with his usual sense of humour, evading queries about the future 007.
The ceremony also honored casting director Juliet Taylor, who became only the second person in her industry to receive an honorary Oscar. Her success has sparked the careers of Hollywood celebrities such as Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman.
Richard Curtis, a British director, won the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his charity work, which has raised over $2 billion and helped 170 million people worldwide. Hugh Grant, an actor, presented the award with his typical wit.
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Academy President Janet Yang kicked off the occasion by noting the industry’s continual evolution. The star-studded ceremony included Angelina Jolie, Paul Mescal, and Selena Gomez.
A noteworthy industry news was the proposed establishment of a new Oscar category for casting in 2026, which Taylor described as “long overdue.”
The Governors Awards remain a key event in the Hollywood awards season. They reward individual accomplishments and commemorate significant industry milestones.
