The 2024 Academy Awards are on the horizon, and true to form, the event is gearing up to be a spectacle of glitz, glamour, and heartwarming moments. With some pulling ahead and others bringing about some historic shifts in the ceremony, the 2024 event is going to be a big deal for all the right reasons. While most award ceremonies stick to the tried-and-true formula of flashy attire, moving addresses, and the win or loss of coveted trophies, there is a special distinction at the Oscars: The Governors Awards.

The Governors Awards is a yearly event that celebrates the lifetime achievements of stars in the film industry. Ahead of the Oscars, here is a complete rundown of this prestigious honor and how it ties in with the Academy Awards.

History and Significance of Governors Awards

The Governors Award is a prestigious accolade from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, that honors the visionaries who have carved out a legacy in the arts and sciences of the industry. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the same organization that is also responsible for hosting the Oscars. The first-ever Governors Awards ceremony occurred on November 14, 2009. Earlier, the awards used to be part of the main Academy Awards ceremony.

Now, they get a brief mention and show up after a montage of the Governors Awards presentation. At this gathering, esteemed colleagues pay homage to the awardees before they deliver their acceptance speeches. While the event has not been broadcast on television, the Academy has made most of the speeches from the ceremonies accessible online.

Over time, this ceremony has drawn significant attention to the red carpet and became a key event in the industry.

Award Categories and Criteria

At the Governors Awards, three important prizes are handed out: the Academy Honorary Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. The Academy Honorary Award is a big nod to a person’s lifetime of work and service in the movie business. The other two awards, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award recognize talented producers who consistently bring top-quality movies to the screen.

The awards are named after the Governor of California, who typically hands them out. While the regular Academy Awards ceremony celebrates achievements in movies from the past year, the Governors Awards honors individuals for their lasting contributions to the film industry. Unlike the Oscars, the Governors Awards ceremony is usually held separately. This gives recipients more time for their speeches before the music starts playing for the next award.

Board’s Decision Process

Unlike the Oscars, the Governors Awards are not decided by a vote but are presented based on the Academy’s judgment. They are scheduled earlier than the Oscars to address concerns about the length of the main ceremony. In a landscape where nominated films might not resonate as strongly with audiences, these honorary awards help to refocus attention on movies and their history, which still holds significant meaning for viewers.

Earlier, the board members of AMPAS had worries about giving out more than one or two Honorary Academy Awards each year because they did not want to make the main Academy Awards ceremony too long. However, in most cases of the Governors Awards, they have actually awarded three Honorary Academy Awards.

Governors Awards Ceremony Atmosphere

The intimate setting of the Governors Awards is mainly to capture the nostalgic aura of the early Academy Award ceremonies. It is a ceremony that sees many emotionally charged moments and offers an evening that serves as a pit stop for contenders hoping to sway Academy voters their way. Picture over 500 VIPs gathering at the swanky black-tie dinner bash in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center to raise a glass in honor of the honorees’ careers.

The Grand Ballroom doubles up as the venue for the Governors Ball right after the Academy Awards ceremony. It is a cozy affair, a bit more relaxed compared to the main event. The Governors Awards honors no more than four industry professionals, giving ample time for heartfelt video tributes, casual toasts, and personal introductions by close friends and colleagues of the honorees.

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