This year’s fifth annual The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala has raised over $12 Million to support the museum's ongoing exhibitions, education initiatives, and public programming, including screenings, K-12 programs, and access initiatives in service of the general public and the local community of Los Angeles. Co-chairs Jon M. Chu, Common, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey, Jennifer Hudson, and Academy Museum Trustee Alejandro Ramírez Magaña, put on a worthy celebration of cinema as a global art form and cultural force. The gala was presented at the museum in partnership with Founding Supporter and Official Watch Partner, Rolex.

Four Hollywood icons were honored for their contributions to film both past and present. Director Walter Salles was honored with the Luminary Award, given to an artist single handedly expanding the creative possibilities of cinema. Wicked Director Jon M. Chu presented The Vantage Award, honoring an emerging artist challenging dominant narratives around cinema, to actor and comedian Bowen Yang. Academy Award-winning actress Penélope Cruz was presented the Icon Award, for global cultural impact. Lastly, the Legacy Award, honoring an artist whose body of work has inspired generations of storytellers and deeply influenced our culture, was presented by Martin Scorsese to Academy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen was later invited back on stage by George Clooney to perform three of his greatest hits. 

Many notable faces were in attendance, donning pieces fresh off the runway like Monica Barbaro in Dior, Naomi Watts in Balenciaga and Michelle Monaghan in Carolina Herrera. Overall, the evening was a smashing success in support of Hollywood’s favorite medium.