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Without the captains of their television and film ships they would not be the celebrated actors they are today.

So the star's turned out in force to help recognize the men and women that do more than just yell 'action' at the 69th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards held in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday night.

Kerry Washington was simply stunning in an understated but very sexy black dress.

Simply stunning: Kerry Washington wowed in a low-cut LBD at the 69th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday 

The 40-year-old actress sizzled in the over-the-knee gown which featured a plunging neckline which revealed lots of cleavage.

Making the dress even sexier, it had a built-in choker that combine with the deep V-cut neckline, framed her exposed chest.

The dress clung to the Scandal star's body showing off her fantastic post-baby form.

The actress welcomed her second child into the world in October, son Celeb. She and partner Nnamdi Asomugha, also have a two-year-old daughter Isabelle. 

Dared to bare: The 40-year-old actress sizzled in the over-the-knee gown which featured a plunging neckline which revealed lots of cleavage

Oh baby! The dress clung to the Scandal star's body showing off her fantastic post-baby form

Keeping with dress' sleek and understated theme, the star wore her hair slicked back.

With her cleavage already stealing the spotlight, Kerry skipped wearing a necklace but she did have some bling thanks to her small stud earrings and silver strappy shoes.

She was not the only one opting to put a little cleavage on display.

A hint of skin: Emma Stone skipped the carpet but made sure to make the awards in a gown featuring a keyhole cutout

Stylish team: Emma was joined by her always dapper La La Land co-star Ryan Reynolds

Honor just to be nominated: The pair were at the awards to present their director Damien Chazelle with a plaque for being nominated for best Feature Film director

Emma Stone skipped the carpet but made sure to make the awards in a gown featuring a keyhole cutout.

While she did not dare to bare as much as Kerry, the actress flashed some skin in the black dress.

The gown featured beading and pears splashed across it like stars and had a draped back. 

Crowing glory: The star wore her famous flame haired locks out and styled with a side part

Sparkle bright: The gown featured beading and pears splashed across it like stars and had a draped back

Emma was joined by her always dapper La La Land co-star Ryan Reynolds.

The pair were at the awards to present their director Damien Chazelle with a plaque for being nominated for best Feature Film director.

Laverne Cox made a dramatic entrance into the Beverly Hilton Hotel as she joined a star studded crowd to celebrate the year's best directors in television and film.

Making them green with envy: Laverne Cox also made a dramatic entrance into the Beverly Hilton Hotel

Cheeky but chic: For the annual awards, the Orange Is The New Black star opted for an emerald gown with a cleavage-baring neckline

Devil's in the detail: The dress had a flowing chiffon layer on one side and a thigh high split at the front as well as beading detail

The 32-year-old was already unmissable in a green gown but further ensured all eyes were on her by tossing back a chiffon layer of the dress' skirt behind as she posed for pictures.

For the annual awards, the Orange Is The New Black star opted for an emerald gown with a cleavage-baring neckline.

The dress had a flowing chiffon layer on one side and a thigh high split at the front as well as beading detail.

Striking in silver: Nicole Kidman took a different approach in an attempt to stand out, wearing a heavily embellished gown that caught the light with every turn

Precious metal: The Australian actress wore a silver cocktail length frock that was covered in silver beads on a semi-translucent silver material with a nude under layer

Working the room: Nicole's pint sized co-star was seen schmoozing the Hollywood crowd and certainly impressed Rooney Mara  

While usually her locks are golden, Laverne wore a dark wavy wig for the awards which complemented her dark accessories namely patent black pumps and a small rectangular handbag.

Nicole Kidman took a different approach in an attempt to stand out, wearing a heavily embellished gown that caught the light with every turn.

The Australian actress wore a silver cocktail length frock that was covered in silver beads on a semi-translucent silver material with a nude under layer.

There's nothing like a Dame: Helen Mirren also opted to shine in silver but proved she remains Hollywood's rebel

Can't be tamed: The 71-year-old - who attended with husband Taylor Hackford - wore a white squire with shiny silver dots but added a grey sweater to mix things up

The 49-year-old perfectly matched her clutch to the bedazzled gown and also added some silver strappy shoes.

Helen Mirren also opted to shine in silver but proved she remains Hollywood's rebel.

The 71-year-old - who attended with husband Taylor Hackford - wore a white squire with shiny silver dots but added a grey sweater to mix things up.

That's different: Also breaking the red carpet rules was Mandy Moore who opted to wear a suit

Oerfect match: The This Is Us star opted for a black ensemble featured cropped pants and a figure skimming jacket while her co-star Milo Ventimiglia also wore a black suit

Followed suit: French actress and Academy Award nominee Isabelle Huppert also opted to not wear a dress

Host with the most: Jayne Lynch was the night's emcee and wore wide legged pants with a sheer black shirt 

Also breaking the red carpet rules was Mandy Moore who opted to wear a suit.

The This Is Us star opted for a black ensemble featured cropped pants and a figure skimming jacket.

The actress accessorized with black heels with pearl detail on the toes and a gold envelope metal clutch.

Theatrical frock: Sarah Paulson dressed with lot of drama wearing a gothic semi-sheer velvet flocked gown 

Back to the future: The dress looked like it was from another century but its sheer bra-exposing top made it a dress of today

Low key and lovely: Mary Elizabeth Winstead wore a black and blue dress which featured a sexy bralette top 

Sarah Paulson dressed with lot of drama wearing a gothic semi-sheer velvet flocked gown.

The dress looked like it was from another century but its sheer bra-exposing top made it a dress of today.

The dress had long flowing batwing sleeves with tassels on the end and also had a mini-train. 

Blast from the past: America Ferrera's dress looked a little Eighties prom with puffy sleeves 

Got the rest right: While her dress was not a winner, the star's side swept bob and hot red lips ensured she was still red carpet ready 

Leggy display: Keesha Sharp wore a two toned gown with a very high split that showed off her gorgeous gams

Keeping this conservative: While her fellow stars showed off lots of skin, Anna Chlumsky opted for something a little less exposing wearing a Josie Natori dress and Via Spiga heels

Date night: Lou Diamond Phillips and wife Yvonne Boismier Phillips attended the event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel 

While the women went all out, most of the male stars opted to go for more classic looks.

It was tuxes across the board for Michael Fassbender, Orlando Bloom and Josh Hartnett.

Josh opted to wear a black tux with satin lapels but that was the only thing that separated him and his two dinner companions.

Classic look: It was tuxes across the board for (L-R) Michael Fassbender, Orlando Bloom and Josh Hartnett

Slick in satin: Josh opted to wear a black tux with satin lapels but that was the only thing that separated him and his two dinner companions

Producer Brian Grazer injected a bit of his own personality into his ensemble by wearing his tux with black sneakers that had roses embroidered on them.

The annual awards recognizes directors of film, television as well as advertising.

La La Land was once again expected to continued its award show domination that it has shown so far this award season.

Doing it his way: Producer Brian Grazer injected a bit of his own personality into his ensemble by wearing his tux with black sneakers that had roses embroidered on them

Posing up a storm: David Hasselhoff and director John Singleton looked dapper in their suits

Big win: Lion director Garth Davis may have not got an Oscar nod, but he was recognized on Saturday night taking home Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Feature Film

Top honors:  Derek Cianfrance won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials

At 32 writer and director Damien is the one of youngest to ever be nominated for the award for a feature film.

It was the first time he and the rest of the Feature Film category directors - Barry Jenkins for Moonlight, Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea, Garth Davis for Lion and Denis Villeneueve for Arrival - have been nominated at the awards.

Damien will face off against all of them sans for Garth at the Oscars at the end of the month.

But while Garth may have not got an Oscar nod, he was recognized on Saturday night for his work in Lion taking home Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Feature Film.

Hollywood heavy weights: Director Sir Ridley Scott, actress Giannina Facio, cinematographer Dariusz Wolski, and Orlando chatted away at the awards