The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has announced John Carpenter, Colman Domingo, and Charlize Theron as the honorees for its sixth annual fundraising gala, scheduled for October 17, 2026, in Los Angeles.
Theron will receive the Icon Award, Carpenter will be presented with the Luminary Award, and Domingo will be recognized with the Vantage Award. The annual event celebrates influential figures in cinema while raising funds to support the museum’s exhibitions, film screenings, and educational programs.
Presented by Rolex, the gala will be co-chaired by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, director Steven Spielberg, and actor and producer Kate Capshaw.
Celebrating Three Influential Film Artists
The three honorees will be recognized for their distinct contributions to the film industry.
Theron’s Icon Award acknowledges an artist whose career has made a significant impact on audiences worldwide. Carpenter will receive the Luminary Award for his distinctive contributions to filmmaking and his role in expanding its creative possibilities. Domingo’s Vantage Award recognizes a film artist working to challenge established narratives and broaden representation in cinema.
Academy Museum Director and President Amy Homma said the honorees represent the creativity, innovation, and excellence that continue to shape the industry. She also expressed appreciation for the donors, partners, and supporters whose contributions help sustain the museum’s mission.
The honorees will also participate in public programming connected to the museum. On August 22, Theron is scheduled to speak with the museum’s Teen Council, accompanied by a screening of Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). Carpenter will host three evenings of screenings of his films on September 26, including Halloween (1978), in connection with the museum’s new large-scale exhibition, The Horror Show.
Star-Studded Host Committee
The Academy Museum also announced its 2026 Gala Host Committee, featuring prominent names from across film, music, and entertainment. Members include Jessica Alba, Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman, Jon M. Chu, Kirsten Dunst, Nicholas Galitzine, Ludwig and Serena Göransson, Regina Hall, Kate Hudson, Jessica Lange, Greta Lee, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Rami Malek, Demi Moore, Olivia Munn, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Questlove, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen, Bird Runningwater, and Teyana Taylor.
Rolex, a founding supporter and exclusive presenting partner of the Academy Museum, continues its longstanding involvement in celebrating cinematic achievement and preserving artistic heritage. Through its Perpetual Arts Initiative, the company supports cultural institutions and artists across disciplines, including film.
Proceeds from the gala will help the museum maintain its exhibitions, expand educational opportunities, present public screenings, and improve access for visitors of all ages.
Previous Academy Museum Gala honorees have included Penélope Cruz, Walter Salles, Bruce Springsteen, Bowen Yang, Paul Mescal, Rita Moreno, Quentin Tarantino, Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Sofia Coppola, Julia Roberts, and Tilda Swinton, among others.
About the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Located on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is dedicated to celebrating, understanding, and preserving cinema and the artists behind it. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the museum combines the restored historic Saban Building with a modern spherical structure.
The campus includes approximately 50,000 square feet of exhibition space, two theaters, an education studio, and public spaces featuring the Spielberg Family Gallery, Academy Museum Store, and Fanny’s restaurant and café.
The museum presents exhibitions, screenings, educational initiatives, and collections intended to make the history and art of filmmaking accessible to a broad audience.
The sixth annual gala on October 17 will continue that mission, bringing together leading figures from the entertainment industry to recognize three influential artists and support the future of cinema.
