“This is becoming like the Met Gala,” one publicist said during the cocktail hour of the sixth annual Academy Museum of Motion Pictures gala held at the museum on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Bill Kramer, CEO of the AMPAS, noted how the timing of the event is a perfect opportunity for the fashion houses — who’ve just finished fall fashion week. The mid-October event also precedes the Academy’s Governors Awards in mid-November and the also-fashionable LACMA gala early next month.
“We sold out even before the honorees were announced,” said the Academy COO.
This, despite what some gala-goers report as $25,000 seats and $250,000 tables. Still, had they not sold out just weeks after the first gala, they certainly would have sold out after — with Taylor Swift announced as a performer just last week, joining a program roster that included tributes to honorees John Carpenter, Colman Domingo and Charlize Theron.
Carpenter was early to arrive at the cocktail hour, and held court at a back table. Also on the earlier side, Adrien Brody arrived with designer Georgina Chapman, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and Jim Gianopulos both made rounds, and Pamela Anderson stunned when she walked in wearing a Caroline Herrera number. Then, everyone seemed to arrive at once: A long-haired Andrew Garfield mingled at one area of the bar, while Eddie Redmayne did so a distance down, and Conan O’Brien did so on the other side.
Women caught eyes in gowns with draping trains, bold colors and sequins. Sarah Paulson wore a custom Ferragamo gold sequin number, Sarah Pidgeon rocked Chanel fall 2026 couture and Tracee Ellis Ross went for color in orange Belenciaga. Taylor Swift made a rare red carpet appearance — where she caught up with Dakota Fanning. On the later side (pushing into the program), other fashionistas made entrances, like Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Jacob Elordi.
When guests migrated inside and upstairs for the program (to the chime of bells), there was still a long line for arrival photos.
Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw co-chaired the starry night that serves as one of the museum’s biggest fundraisers — and broke records by raising more than $14 million to support the museum’s exhibitions, education initiatives and public programming like screenings and K-12 programs. (Last year’s gala raised upward of $12 million.) Keith Baptista handled event design, and Tequila Don Julio, Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon, Piper-Heidsieck and Dassai sake provided beverages. Guest chef Antonia Lofaso and Wolfgang Puck Catering prepared the food.
Inside, Director and President of the Academy Museum and Academy Collection, Amy Homma, opened the evening by reflecting on the museum’s achievements and its fifth anniversary. Then, Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis spoke about the impact of the horror genre and the museum’s newest exhibition, The Horror Show — which runs through July 27, 2027.
Robert Rodriguez presented filmmaker and composer John Carpenter with the Luminary Award. Three-time Oscar-nominated actress Sigourney Weaver presenting the Icon Award to Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron. Then, after dinner, Judd Apatow introduced Tom Ford, who presented the Vantage Award to two-time Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo.
Conan O’Brien closed the night by introducing Taylor Swift — who belted some of her most beloved songs that got guests like Connor Storrie up on their feet. Homma then thanked guests and welcomed them to explore The Horror Show before they departed — for a myriad of fashion house after-parties.
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