The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures hosted its second annual Gala on Saturday, Oct. 15, in Los Angeles, California, and raised $10 million. The goal is to support the museum’s access, education, and programming initiatives. Julia Roberts, Tilda Swinton, Sir Steve McQueen, and Miky Lee were this year’s Gala honorees.
George Clooney presented his Ticket to Paradise co-star, Julia Roberts, with the inaugural Academy Museum Gala Icon Award for her decades-long cinema career and significant global cultural impact.
Swinton received the Visionary Award from Luca Guadagnino, her longtime friend and collaborator, for her extensive body of work that has advanced the art of cinema.
McQueen received the Vantage Award from Daniel Kaluuya for his work helping to examine and challenge dominant narratives around the cinema.
Lee received the Pillar Award from Jeffrey Katzenberg for her exemplary leadership and support for the international film community.
Jacqueline Stewart, Director and President of the Academy Museum, commented on this year’s honorees, “Over the course of her expansive and renowned career, Julia has embodied iconic characters and memorable roles,” according to Deadline. “We are thrilled to be honoring her continued excellence in the industry and contribution to the arts,” she added. “We are deeply grateful to Julia, Miky, Steve, and Tilda, to Rolex, and to our co-chairs and host committee for making our second annual Gala an evening to remember.”
The Academy Museum Gala reflects the museum’s mission to progress the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema. It also aims to develop knowledge and strengthen the discussion when it comes to cinema as a global art form and cultural force.
Mindy Kaling, John Cho, Ha Jung-woo, and Park Chan-wook were among the attendees of the star-studded event, which was sponsored by Rolex. During the post-gala activities, guests enjoyed a musical performance by the iconic Diana Ross.
This year’s Gala was co-chaired by Academy Award-winning actors Halle Berry and Lupita Nyong’o and by Academy Museum trustees Jason Blum and Ryan Murphy. Lisa Love, the Gala Creative Director, and Raúl Àvila, the Artistic Director, oversaw the event’s production and design. Keith Baptista oversaw the musical direction, Jen Green oversaw the choreography, and Jacqui Getty oversaw the costume direction.
