The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures recently held its fourth annual gala, raising over $11 million to support the museum’s exhibitions, education initiatives, and public programming, including screenings, K-12 programs, and access initiatives for the general public and the Los Angeles community. The gala was generously presented in partnership with Rolex, the museum’s founding supporter and official watch partner. Rolex has been with the museum since its inception, recognizing excellence in cinema as the foundation of its long partnership with the Academy.
Los Angeles, California – Oct. 19: Da’Vine Joy Randolph attends the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Oct. 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) Credit: (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 19: Zoe Saldaña attends the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) Credit: Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) 
Los Angeles, California – Oct. 19: Dan Limerick, COO, WME attends the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Oct. 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) Credit: (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 19: Cynthia Erivo performs onstage during the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) Credit: (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 19: Cynthia Erivo performs onstage during the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) Credit: (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) 
Los Angeles, California – Oct. 19: (L-R) Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo attend the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) Credit: (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) 
Los Angeles, California – Oct. 19: (L-R) Zoe Saldana and Danielle Deadwyler attend the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) Credit: (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures)
Co-chaired by Dr. Eric Esrailian, Salma Hayek Pinault, Nicole Kidman, Eva Longoria, and Tyler Perry, the gala celebrated three Hollywood icons for their contributions to film. Icon Award recipient Rita Moreno was presented her award by Steven Spielberg. Paul Mescal was presented with the Vantage Award by Saoirse Ronan, and Quentin Tarantino, who received the Luminary Award from John Travolta, were also honored. Tarantino further surprised guests by donating his first handwritten draft of “Pulp Fiction” to the museum. The evening closed with a powerful performance from Cynthia Erivo, introduced by Ariana Grande, as she sang “I’m Here” from “The Color Purple,” “Home” from “The Wiz,” “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Purple Rain” by Prince.
The event was attended by some of the most prominent figures in Hollywood, with guests including Ava DuVernay, Lee Daniels, Andra Day, Jurnee Smollett, RZA, Zoe Saldaña, Ariana DeBose, Selena Gomez, Danielle Deadwyler, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Taraji P. Henson, Sterling K. Brown, Quinta Brunson, Brian Tyree Henry, Winston Duke, André Holland, Joshua Jackson, Niecy Nash-Betts, Ebony Obsidian, Rashida Jones, Mindy Kaling, Kerry Washington, John David Washington, Danny Ramirez, Édgar Ramírez, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union, Alfonso Cuarón, Eiza González, Lena Waithe, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, John Legend & Chrissy Teigen, Bird Runningwater, Awkwafina, H.E.R., Ayo Edebiri, Eugenio López, Henry R. Muñoz III, Kumail Nanjiani & Emily Gordon, Sandra Oh, Regé-Jean Page, and Megan Park.
The event’s design was conceived by Keith Baptista, with musical direction by Rickey Minor, and talent relations managed by Special Projects. Wine was provided by Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon, with specialty cocktails from Tequila Don Julio. The evening’s cuisine was curated by guest chef Curtis Stone and Wolfgang Puck Catering.
Now in its fourth year, the Academy Museum Gala continues to serve as a vital fundraiser supporting the museum’s mission to celebrate and preserve the history of moviemaking, while fostering a deeper understanding of cinema as a global art form and cultural force.