Inside the 15th Annual Governor’s Awards, Which Paid Tribute to Quincy Jones

Since 2009, the Academy’s Governor Awards have congregated hundreds of film industry professionals, from actors with instantly recognizable names across households to behind-the-scenes producers who bring the world’s most beloved films together, for a night honoring some of the most accomplished individuals for their lifetime achievements. On Sunday, its 15th annual ceremony commenced, honoring Juliet Taylor, Richard Curtis, sibling duo Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, and the late Quincy Jones.

A number of stars filed into the ballroom of Hollywood’s iconic Ray Dolby Theater following a cocktail hour, just before the ceremony kicked off with a dinner—Kate Winslet, who took a seat next to Jude Law; Selena Gomez, in the company of Emilia Pérez co-star Zoe Saldana; Lupita Nyong’o; Lily-Rose Depp; and more, including industry newcomers such as Mark Eidelstein and Yuriy Borisov, who attended together alongside Sean Baker amid the success of Anora.

Following opening words from Coleman Domingo, Nicole Kidman presented Juliet Taylor with the night’s first honorary Oscar award, recognizing her over-four-decade-long career in casting directing. “For me, one of Juliet's most significant contributions has been the way she has opened doors for other women,” Kidman said. “She has continued to pass on her knowledge by fostering her craft and a whole new generation of casting directors.”

Following Taylor’s acceptance speech, Daniel Craig took the stage to present Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, honoring their work in continuing the legacy of the James Bond franchise. Craig noted that the pair “took what their father created and, to put a monumental achievement quite simply, made it even better,” joking that they were the “most expensive independent movies ever made.” “Mostly, I'm deeply grateful and profoundly moved because I watched my father accept this award in 1981,” Broccoli said afterward, standing alongside her brother. “A farm boy who made good in Hollywood. This award was his most valued possession.”

Hugh Grant later delivered a hilarious introduction to Richard Curtis’s award acceptance, all with his characteristically straight face. Curtis, known also for his philanthropic work alongside screenwriting and directing, took the moment to encourage fellow filmmakers to allocate a portion of their budget for movies to impact producers. “When films have a dedicated person or team to take the film and use its campaigning for targeted education, for changing laws, when films get shown to the right people in power at the right time, when films are linked to the right charities, amazing things can happen.”

The evening rounded out with a moving tribute to Quincy Jones (who had, before his death, been slated to receive an honorary Oscar), with Jamie Foxx delivering opening remarks, Jennifer Hudson leading a tribute performance, and daughter Rashida Jones, alongside other family members, taking the stage to accept the award in his honor. “I was always keenly aware of the enormous power that we possessed as filmmakers,” Jones said on stage, reading directly from her father’s pre-written speech, “that the art we created, the stories we told, if we were lucky, had a chance to move people in ways that they could never imagine.” Jones went on in her father’s words as the final speech of the night: “I shared this award and tonight's honor with all the amazing directors, legendary actors, and, of course, exceptional songwriters, composers, and musicians who I formed dear friendships with over my seven decades in this business. And know that I wouldn't trade this night or those experiences for anything in the world.”