AMTV, Los Angeles, Aug 13 – The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announces its new film series, public events, and education programs for the fall season. Programs include the Los Angeles premiere of the new 4K restoration of Burden of Dreams (1982) presented by Werner Herzog; Don’t Go into the Vault: An Academy Film Archive Trailer Show in 35mm; a five-film Godzilla-Thon! plus day-long activities to celebrate the anniversary of the first Gojira film; a conversation with Academy Award®-winning actor and Academy Museum Gala Honoree Rita Moreno , followed by a screening of West Side Story (1961) in 70mm; the annual Home Movie Day in collaboration with the Academy Film Archive; American Fiction: A Conversation with Cord Jefferson and Dr. Patricia Hill Collins presented in partnership with the Berggruen Institute; Hollywoodland: The Origins of the Studios, a screening series programmed to accompany the museum’s exhibition; James Baldwin at the Movies, a series of films adapted from the literary works of the civil rights activist on his centenary; Hasta la Raíz: To the Root, a Latine/x coming-of-age film series; Sophia Loren: La Diva di Napoli , a presentation of some of Loren’s most enduring performances with Sophia Loren in-person; and Monster Mash, a day of activities, screenings, and special monster appearances by characters from the Universal Studios theme parks.
The Academy Museum will also screen The Wonders of Technicolor , a film series programmed to accompany Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema. The exhibition opens on October 6 alongside Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema as a part of PST ART: Art & Science Collide, an initiative presented by Getty featuring more than 70 cultural institutions across Southern California, offering thematically linked exhibitions and programs in a five-month-long exploration of the intersections of art and science.
“This fall, we’ve curated a season of programming that allows audiences to engage with enduring movie icons—from Godzilla to Rita Moreno—as well as the many crafts that make these movies come to life on our screens,” said Academy Museum Director and President Amy Homma. “With the opening of Color in Motion and Cyberpunk, its accompanying programming, and beyond, all our audiences are encouraged to visit us this season to see what’s new and celebrate what is timeless.”
ACADEMY MUSEUM FREE DAY
To celebrate the Academy Museum’s third anniversary on September 29, general admission, including a matinee screening of the silent comedy The Gold Rush (1925), will be free to the public. A 20% discount will be available on all store merchandise.
The Pixar Toy Story 3D Zoetrope will also make its return on view from September 29, 2024–July 13, 2025. It will be presented in the Warner Bros. gallery alongside a historical “Wheel of Life” zoetrope from the 19th century and historical image sets—all from the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’s outstanding Richard Balzer pre-cinema collection.
SPOTLIGHT FILM SCREENINGS
Fall Spotlights include the Los Angeles 4K restoration premiere of Burden of Dreams (1982) presented by Werner Herzog on September 7; Don’t Go into the Vault: An Academy Film Archive Trailer Show in 35mm, showcasing retro horror trailers spanning decades on October 12; and a screening of Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) in 3D on October 26 as a part of the museum’s Monster Mash.
LIMITED FILM SERIES
From September 5 to November 14, the Academy Museum presents Hollywoodland: The Origins of the Studios . This screening series is programmed to accompany the museum’s exhibition Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital, which tells the origin story of filmmaking in early 20th-century Los Angeles and spotlights the impact of the predominately Jewish filmmakers whose establishment of the American film studio system transformed the city into a global epicenter of cinema. The series celebrates eight major studios, each through on representative title that played an instrumental role in its successful growth. Academy Museum visitors who purchase general admission to the museum are welcome to join us for same-day screenings in this film series during their visit, free of charge.
To celebrate the centenary of novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and civil rights activist James Baldwin, the Academy Museum presents a series of films adapted from his literary works alongside documentaries that reflect on Baldwin’s remarkable legacy. James Baldwin at the Movies screens September 6–14.
Hasta la Raíz: To the Root highlights films that offer a glimpse into the varied experiences Latine/x adolescents and young adults face. This coming-of-age film series begins on September 16 and runs through October 13, featuring stories like Mi Amigo Ángel (1964), Bad Hair (2013), and Freda (2021).
To accompany the opening of the Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema exhibition on October 6, the Academy Museum presents The Wonders of Technicolor . This film series celebrates the vibrant and indelible impact of Technicolor on Hollywood productions and audiences. The series runs from the exhibition opening, October 6, until November 23.
From November 7 to 30, the Academy Museum presents Sophia Loren: La Diva di Napoli in celebration of the performer’s 90th birthday, with Sofia Loren in person on November 7 and 8. Born Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone on September 20, 1934, Sophia Loren has an unrivaled career both in her native Italy and in Hollywood, appearing in nearly 100 films over seven decades, and was the first person to win an acting Academy Award® for a performance in a non-English language.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
On September 14, audiences can join Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Cord Jefferson for a conversation with 2023 Berggruen Prize Laureate, Dr. Patricia Hill Collins, a renowned sociologist specializing in the study of race, class, and gender about her scholarship and how his film American Fiction (2023) challenges dominant stereotypes and narratives around Black life, culture, perspectives, and experiences. American Fiction: A Conversation with Cord Jefferson and Dr. Patricia Hill Collins is presented in partnership with Berggruen Institute and will be followed by a screening of American Fiction.
On October 17, the museum welcomes Academy Award®-winning actor and Academy Museum Gala Honoree Rita Moreno for a conversation on her life and iconic eight-decade long career. A Conversation with Rita Moreno will be followed by a screening of West Side Story (1961) in 70mm.
Audiences can join the Academy Museum on October 26 for Monster Mash . This fun-filled day will include special effects makeup demonstrations based on looks from Universal Pictures’s classic monster movies, ghostly tours, exclusive merchandise, and special appearances from the Universal Monsters characters from the Universal Studios theme parks. The program will be followed by a screening of Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) in 3D in the David Geffen Theater.
To celebrate the anniversary of the first Gojira film on November 3, which was released in theaters in Japan exactly 70 years ago, the Academy Museum presents its first-ever all-day marathon, Godzilla-Thon! , featuring five classic and contemporary Godzilla films. In addition to film screenings, visitors can also attend a Godzilla meet and greet and Godzilla stop-motion animation workshop.
On November 24, audiences can bring their own film stock and join the Academy Museum to celebrate Home Movie Day 2024 . The museum education team in partnership with the Academy Film Archive and regional Home Movie Day volunteers will guide visitors through film inspection, workshops to learn about at-home projection, and all-ages-friendly activities. Then, participants can come together for an exciting, emotional, and fun community screening of as many of the films as possible.
After the community celebration, there will be a special free screening of Hollywood Home Movies from the Academy Film Archive collection in the Ted Mann Theater. The films will be presented with live commentary from Academy Film Archivists.
PUBLICATIONS
This fall, the Academy Museum announces the release of two catalogues to accompany its new exhibitions.
From the earliest hand-painted films to Technicolor and today’s digital cinema, Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema takes readers on a journey through the evolution and significance of color in film. Insightful analysis, engaging case studies, and inspiring conversations with scholars and experts in the field trace the historical development of color technologies and their profound impact on audiences. Richly illustrated with images spanning 130 years of cinema, including new scans of rare silent-era film prints, this essential volume celebrates the vibrant history of color on screen.
Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures through Cinema examines the global impact and lasting influence of cyberpunk on cinema culture. Through rarely published behind-the-scenes photographs, film stills, and concept art, the book spotlights iconic cyberpunk films such as Blade Runner (1982), Tron (1982), and The Matrix (1999); foundational animated features including Akira (1988) and Ghost in the Shell (1995); and more recent releases such as Sleep Dealer (2008), Pumzi (2009), Night Raiders (2021), and Neptune Frost (2021). Contextual essays and case studies written by critics, historians, and filmmakers offer new perspectives on these films and their legacies.
Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema and Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures through Cinema are co-published by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and DelMonico Books/D.A.P. Both books are now available for pre-order at the Academy Museum Store.
ONGOING SERIES AND PROGRAMS
Oscar® Sundays: Held every Sunday evening in the David Geffen Theater, this fall’s Oscar Sunday program will showcase Western films. Titled Oscar Sundays: This Land, this season was programmed by guest programmer Adam Piron, director of the Sundance Institute’s Indigenous Program.
Family Matinees: Held every Saturday for families of all ages. For the months of September and November, the museum is highlighting favorites from the year 1999. October will highlight classic Universal monster movies.
Branch Selects: Working with members of the Academy branches, the Academy Museum presents a weekly series that offers a one-of-a-kind journey through film history. Each week a different branch selects a film that represents a major achievement in the evolution of moviemaking and its unique disciplines.
Available Space: A monthly series showcasing experimental and independent film and media. This fall’s Available Space programs include Harry Smith’s Film #18, Mahagonny (1980) in 4K, Glide of Transparency (2016) from filmmaker Betzy Bromberg, and the Divine Visions of Ishu Patel.
Drop-in Tours : All are welcome to join public drop-in style gallery conversations to explore moviemakers, their ideas, and beloved movie objects in conversation with museum educators. The tours are free with admission, from 1pm to 3pm on Fridays. This fall’s tours will focus on Lourdes Portillo, documentaries and character design in Stories of Cinema 2, monsters and heroes in Stories of Cinema 3, The Godfather gallery, and Color in Motion.
Drop-In Workshops for Teens: Held on the third Friday of every month from 4:30pm to 6:30pm and designed for teens ages 14 and up. This fall’s workshops will focus on photography and lighting and Color in Motion.
Drop-In Workshops for Families: Held the first three Saturdays of every month, Drop-In Workshops for Families are designed for families with children ages 2 and up. This fall’s workshops are inspired by The Iron Giant (1999), The Skeleton Dance (1929), and Día de los Muertos.
Gallery Spotlights: Gallery Spotlights feature special guests who will explore select exhibition spaces and themes.
Education and family programs are ongoing at the Academy Museum, complementary to the film programming. Programs take place throughout the museum in exhibition galleries, theaters, and the Shirley Temple Education Studio.
The museum offers ASL Interpreted Tours monthly for the hard of hearing and Deaf communities, Visual Description Tours for the low vision and blind communities, and Calm Morning programs and accommodative Family Matinee film screenings for visitors who are neurodivergent.
TICKETS AND ADMISSION
Tickets for film screenings and public programs are sold separately and do not require general admission to the museum. All tickets are available through advance online reservations via the Academy Museum’s website.
Film screening tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 62+), $5 for students, $5 for children (ages 17 and younger), and $8 for museum members. Admission to daytime film screenings is $5.
Public and education program tickets range from free with admission to $20 for adults.
Museum members receive complimentary general admission for unlimited visits and priority admission. Visitors can learn more about membership benefits, which include a 10% discount in the Academy Museum Store, and exclusive members-only advance film screenings, by visiting the museum’s website.