LOS ANGELES (AP) — This Sunday night, a star-studded gathering in Los Angeles will mark the annual Governors Awards, an event showcasing some of Hollywood’s finest talents.
The prestigious ceremony, organized by the film academy’s board of governors, will honor notable figures including the legendary Quincy Jones, James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, renowned filmmaker Richard Curtis, and acclaimed casting director Juliet Taylor. Alongside the awards, the evening serves as an important occasion for Oscar contenders as the awards season kicks off.
Broccoli and Wilson carry on their father’s legacy, receiving the coveted Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, which honors the achievements of outstanding producers. Their father, Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, received a similar accolade in 1982 at the Academy Awards, where his children proudly watched from the audience.
Reflecting on the honor, Broccoli shared, “It’s very humbling. I think of so many people who have come before us, so many people I wish had been given the honor who aren’t with us anymore.”
Richard Curtis, known for his iconic romantic comedies such as “Love, Actually,” “Notting Hill,” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” will be awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his dedication to charitable causes throughout his career. As a teenager, Curtis longed for his own Oscar moment and would go to great lengths to watch the award shows in the UK, avoiding the news to ensure the suspense was preserved.
“This is particularly a special award, but it’s not work for which one expects praise or needs praise,” Curtis expressed, highlighting the importance of his philanthropic endeavors beyond the spotlight.
Juliet Taylor, a trailblazing casting director, has spent over four decades shaping the cinematic landscape by casting films like “Annie Hall,” “Working Girl,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” and “Schindler’s List.” While she is grateful for her honorary Oscar, she is even more thrilled about the future recognition of her peers; starting in 2025, the film academy will introduce a competitive Oscar specifically for casting directors.
The Governors Awards are known for their heartfelt atmosphere, as they lack the distractions of television cameras, allowing a more personal tribute to the honorary recipients, many of whom are in the later stages of their careers. This year’s 15th edition carries a bittersweet tone following the recent passing of Quincy Jones, whose incredible contributions to music and film will be celebrated with a heartfelt tribute during the evening.