Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, and Sofia Coppola are among the esteemed individuals who will be celebrated at the Academy of Motion Pictures’ 2023 Academy Museum gala on October 14th. The event, which is sponsored by Rolex, will raise funds to support exhibits, education initiatives, and public programming at the Academy Museum.
The announcement of this year’s honorees comes amidst concerns that the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes could affect the event. However, the Film Academy reassured the public that the gala has been given the green light to proceed as a fundraiser by both unions.
Meryl Streep, a legendary actress whose influence has been felt worldwide, will be bestowed with the Icon Award. This prestigious accolade is reserved for artists who have made a significant impact on the global stage. Michael B. Jordan, an emerging artist and scholar who challenges and contextualizes prevailing narratives in film, will receive the Vantage Award. Oprah Winfrey, a pillar in the industry known for her leadership and support of the Academy Museum, will be honored with the Pillar Award. Lastly, Sofia Coppola, an innovative artist and scholar whose contributions have advanced film as an art form, will receive the Visionary Award.
The gala will be co-chaired by acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay, esteemed physician, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Dr. Eric Esrailian, award-winning actress Halle Berry, and prolific producer Ryan Murphy, all of whom also serve as Academy Museum trustees.
Jacqueline Stewart, the director and president of the Academy Museum, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating, “We are excited to gather again at our third annual Academy Museum gala to celebrate the power, global impact, and indelible importance of cinema. I am truly honored to recognize four artists – Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, and Sofia Coppola – whose creativity and passion have inspired and shaped our culture in such powerful ways.”
The gala’s host committee includes renowned actors, musicians, directors, and industry professionals such as Adrien Brody, Aldis Hodge, Ariana DeBose, Ashley Park, Billie Lourd, Bryce Dallas Howard, Catherine Martin, Chloë Sevigny, Colin Farrell, Colman Domingo, Dakota Fanning, Danielle Deadwyler, Demi Moore, Don Cheadle, Eddie Redmayne, Elle Fanning, Eve Hewson, Gabrielle Union, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Goldie Hawn, Jared Leto, Jay Ellis, Jeff Goldblum, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner Smith, Joel Kim Booster, John Travolta, Kate Hudson, Keke Palmer, Kirsten Dunst, Letitia Wright, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Matt Bomer, Meg Ryan, Michael Keaton, Naomi Scott, Natasha Lyonne, Nicole Kidman, Olivia Wilde, Questlove, Rachel Zegler, Rashida Jones, Regina Hall, Rian Johnson, Riley Keough, Rita Wilson, Selma Blair, Seth Rogen, Sharon Stone, Stephanie Hsu, Steven Yeun, Tom Hanks, Tracee Ellis Ross, Willem Dafoe, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Yorgos Lanthimos, Zoë Kravitz, and many others.
Last year’s Academy Museum gala honored Julia Roberts, Miky Lee, Steve McQueen, and Tilda Swinton, cementing its reputation as a highly prestigious event that recognizes the contributions of exceptional individuals in the film industry.
The Academy Museum gala serves as a testament to the enduring power of cinema and its ability to shape and reflect our culture. By honoring these remarkable individuals, the event not only celebrates their accomplishments but also highlights the vital role that film plays in our society. With the support of sponsors like Rolex and the dedication of the Academy Museum’s co-chairs and host committee, the gala promises to be a memorable and meaningful gathering dedicated to the art of film.
As the countdown begins to the 2023 Academy Museum gala, film enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate the opportunity to celebrate the indelible mark that Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, and Sofia Coppola have made on the world of cinema.