THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS

A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements

- SHELLEY SPADONI

The great and the good of Hollywood were out in force for the 15th Annual Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governors Awards at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood, and the red carpet was positively overflowing with A-listers.

The glitzy evening - widely considered to be the first important forerunner event to next year's Oscars - is a chance to recognise extraordinary lifetime achievements in cinema, and exceptional contributions to the film industry.

Five heavy hitters were awarded with honorary Oscars on the night, including legendary casting director Juliet Taylor, who worked on a host of famous films - and it was also announced on the night that casting directors will finally be getting their own category at the Oscars, from 2026 onwards.

Juliet has chosen the incredible actors for movies from Taxi Driver, to Schindler's List, to Sleepless In Seattle, having introduced now legendary stars such as Jeff Daniels, Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix to the big screen.

After explaining her rise from film lot receptionist to casting director, an emotional Juliet was handed her award by Babygirl actress Nicole Kidman. ▸

Nicole looked stunning in a floor-length black gown with a thigh-high split and exposed back, however, while walking to the stage to present Juliet with her honorary Oscar, she slipped out of her heels. Ever the professional, Nicole paused and slipped the shoe back on and laughed, "Well, this isn't how I imagined this going!"

British talent was celebrated on the night too, as screenwriter and director Richard Curtis - the brains behind Love Actually, Four Weddings And A Funeral and Notting Hill - received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.