“I am the recipient of an enormous amount of love,” says Nicole Kidman, turning 57 years old on June 20

Nicole Kidman at the AFI Life Achievement Award Gala on April 27. PHOTO: AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN/FILMMAGIC

Nicole Kidman has had many personal and professional peaks, but at age 57 she may be thriving more than ever.

Celebrating her birthday on June 20, the Oscar and Emmy-winning actress and producer remains one of Hollywood’s most prolific stars. This summer she’ll be in Emmy contention yet again for her critically acclaimed miniseries Expats, and on Netflix reunites with an old costar — Zac Efron! — in the romcom A Family Affair.

Speaking to PEOPLE in April as one of the cover stars of the magazine’s 50th anniversary special issue, Kidman reflected on how far she’s come since studying theater in her native Australia as a teenager. “I remember the first time I went to the Academy Awards, and I was like, this is the most overwhelming, intimidating place ever,” said the five-time Oscar nominee and one-time winner for 2002’s The Hours.

“Now I walk in,” she added, “and I’m like, Oh, right, I know most of the people here, I’ve grown up [and] lived a life with them. That’s a really beautiful thing. It’s my tribe.”

(Left-right:) Joey King, Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron at the premiere of ‘A Family Affair’ June 13.CHARLEY GALLAY/GETTY

Ever since winning her Primetime Emmy Awards for Big Little Lies alongside collaborator and pal Reese Witherspoon, Kidman has continued to executive produce the TV series she appears in, from The Undoing to Nine Perfect Strangers — and some, like Elizabeth Olsen-starring Love & Death, that she doesn’t star in.

“It’s been stepping into my own power and being able to go, ‘Okay, I can actually not just act in this show, but I can shepherd it and carry it and make strong, hard, logical decisions to get things made,’” she told PEOPLE of becoming a producing powerhouse.

“I’ve had so many mentors,” added Kidman. “They have appeared, saved me, helped me, taught me, guided me and been unbelievably generous towards me. I am the recipient of an enormous amount of love. A lot of people have believed in me and given me the courage and opportunity when they didn’t have to. I’m always passing that on.”

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Brian Tee and Nicole Kidman in ‘Expats’.AMAZON MGM STUDIOS

Many such friends and mentors appeared at a big milestone in Kidman’s career: the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala, held April 27. In attendance were Witherspoon, Efron, Meryl Streep, longtime friend Naomi Watts and more.

The starry Hollywood event also marked the red carpet debut of Kidman and husband Keith Urban’s daughters Sunday, 16, and Faith, 13. “They are here to support me, and they’re very, very supportive and incredibly loving,” the Moulin Rouge star told PEOPLE on the carpet, noting that her “sister and all her children” flew in as well. “It’s beautiful to have a family to be able to go and want to share this with you.”

That goes especially for Urban, 56, who at the event gave an emotional speech in tribute to his wife since 2006. “I’m so lucky that I have Keith who’s just my love, my deep, deep love,” Kidman told PEOPLE in April, remembering their romantic wedding in Australia.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman in 2009. LARRY BUSACCA/GETTY

Knowing Urban and their two daughters are home “gives me the ability to go and do whatever I have to do because I know where I can come back,” added the mother of four (Kidman also shares Bella, 31, and Connor, 29, with ex Tom Cruise).

Kidman’s upcoming Hollywood schedule is as busy as ever, with multiple projects in production. Among them is the just-confirmed sequel to 1988’s Practical Magic, reuniting her with costar Sandra Bullock. “I will be in it. And Sandy will be in it. And that’s that,” Kidman told PEOPLE with a laugh. “There’s a lot more to tell.”