2009 AMPAS Governor’s Awards

For the first time since the Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts and Science’s Board of Governors began bestowing their Honorary Award and The Irving G, Thalberg Awards, instead of presenting them during the LIVE Oscar telecast, this year the Governors Awards were handed out to Producer John Calley, actress Lauren Bacall, producer-director Roger Corman, and cinematographer Gordon Willis, along with 600 invited guests in attendance, at the Grand Ballroom at the  Hollywood & Highland Center on Saturday night. The Honorary Award, an Oscar statuette, is given to an individual for extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy. The Thalberg Award, a bust of the legendary motion picture executive, is given to a creative producer whose body of work reflects a consistently high quality of motion picture production.

From AMPAS:

On November 14, four extraordinary individuals were honored at the Academy’s Inaugural Governors Awards event. Producer-executive John Calley received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, and Honorary Awards went to actress Lauren Bacall, producer-director Roger Corman and cinematographer Gordon Willis.

Before the ceremony began, many, like 82nd Oscar co-host Alec Baldwin and UP IN THE AIR actress Vera Farmiga, were on hand in Hollywood.

Here are some of the highlights from the evening.

Two time Oscar-winning director Ron Howard toasted his mentor, Oscar-winning director Quentin Tarantino spoke as part of the award presentation, and Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme presented the Honorary Award to producer-director Roger Corman. Watch the video here.

Previous Oscar-nominee  Caleb Deschanel toasted his  fellow cinematographer and previous Oscar-nominee Jeff Bridges presented the Honorary Award to cinematographer Gordon Willis.  Watch the video here.

Previous Oscar-nominee Annette Bening toasted the screen legend, then continued with an  introduction of  previous Oscar-nominee Kirk Douglas,  who after being met to loud applause and a standing ovation  from the audience on hand,  then  spoke lovingly of Miss Bacall  as part of the award presentation. Oscar-winning actress Anjelica Huston presented the Honorary Award to Lauren Bacall. Watch the video here.

As AMPAS previously stated, producer and former studio exec., John Calley, would not  be present at the  ceremony due to health reasons.  Past Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award recipients Dino De Laurentiis and Warren Beatty began the presentation, past Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award recipient Norman Jewison toasted his fellow filmmaker, and past Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award recipients Saul Zaentz, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Walter Mirisch were all there as two time Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks spoke as part of the award presentation to Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award recipient John Calley.

Ultimately it was Steven Spielberg who accepted the Thalberg Award on behalf of John Calley.

Past Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award recipients Dino De Larentiis, Warren Beatty, Saul Zaentz, George Lucas, Norman Jewison, Walter Mirisch and Steven Spielberg.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s Board of Governors posed for a group photo following the 2009 Governors Awards in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center ®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

Photos: Oscars.org