Aug
14,
2026
Los Angeles’ fall social calendar just got a major addition The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has announced the honorees for its sixth annual Academy Museum Gala, with Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo, Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron and legendary filmmaker John Carpenter set to be celebrated at the star-studded event on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Presented in partnership with Rolex, the gala has become one of Los Angeles’ most anticipated nights celebrating the art, history and impact of cinema. Along with bringing together some of Hollywood’s biggest names, the event raises critical funds supporting the Academy Museum’s exhibitions, public programs and screenings.
The three 2026 honorees represent very different corners of filmmaking, making this year’s lineup particularly interesting.
Colman Domingo (Vantage Award) has established himself as one of the industry’s most versatile performers, moving between film, television and theater while taking on roles that have earned widespread critical acclaim. His recent work has included Rustin, Sing Sing, The Four Seasons, and The Color Purple, continuing a career that has made him one of the most compelling actors of his generation.
Charlize Theron (Icon Award) has spent more than two decades moving effortlessly between dramatic performances, action blockbusters and independent cinema. From her Academy Award-winning performance in Monster to films like this year’s The Odyssey, as well as Apex, The Old Guard, Mad Max: Fury Road, North Country, Atomic Blonde, Bombshell and more; Theron has demonstrated an extraordinary range both in front of the camera and as a producer.
And then there’s John Carpenter (Luminary Award), whose influence on modern genre filmmaking is difficult to overstate. The director, screenwriter and composer behind Halloween, The Thing, Escape from New York, They Live and Big Trouble in Little China has created some of the most enduring films in American genre cinema. His work has influenced generations of filmmakers and helped define the visual and thematic language of modern horror and science fiction.
Carpenter’s recognition arrives at an especially fitting time for the museum, which is presenting its new The Horror Show exhibition exploring the history and cultural impact of horror cinema. Carpenter will also be featured in a series of museum screenings surrounding the gala, including screenings of Halloween and other films from his celebrated body of work.
Theron will likewise participate in Academy Museum programming, including a conversation with the museum’s Teen Council and a screening of Mad Max: Fury Road, bringing her own career and filmmaking experiences directly into the museum’s public programming.
The gala’s host committee includes an impressive collection of entertainment and cultural figures, including Questlove, Judd Apatow, Teyana Taylor, Ludwig Göransson, Seth Rogen and Demi Moore. The evening’s co-chairs are Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw.
Last year’s fifth annual gala, which honored Penélope Cruz, Walter Salles, Bruce Springsteen and Bowen Yang, raised more than $12 million for the Academy Museum.
This year’s event promises another major night for Los Angeles, with three honorees whose careers collectively span prestige drama, blockbuster filmmaking, horror, action, independent cinema and some of the most influential work in modern film history.
As Hollywood heads into awards season, the Academy Museum Gala will once again bring the industry’s biggest names together under one roof—not to compete for a trophy, but to celebrate the people and creative work that continue to shape cinema.
The 2026 Academy Museum Gala takes place October 17, 2026, in Los Angeles.
