Hollywood turned up the wattage on November 16th as the Academy’s Board of Governors rolled out the 16th Governors Awards at the Ray Dolby Ballroom. It was an evening of standing ovations, surprise tears, and pure star power: Debbie Allen was toasted by Cynthia Erivo, Tom Cruise received his honor from Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Octavia Spencer saluted production designer Wynn Thomas.

And in a moment as warm as a Tennessee sunrise, Dolly Parton accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award—introduced by Lily Tomlin—with her speech beamed in from Nashville.

Produced by Oscar-nominated powerhouse Jennifer Fox and guided with sharp wit by host Will Arnett (with a warm welcome from Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor), the night shimmered from start to finish—proof that even outside Oscar season, Hollywood still knows how to throw a party.

–Kelly Fine