The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will honor Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo and John Carpenter at its sixth annual gala on Oct. 17, 2026, the Los Angeles institution announced. The Rolex-presented benefit follows a fifth edition that the museum said raised more than $12 million for its exhibitions and public programming, according to the museum [SRC-01][SRC-02].
Theron, Domingo and Carpenter span acting and directing careers recognized across decades of American filmmaking, the museum said in confirming the honorees for the evening, which is held annually at the institution's Wilshire Boulevard campus [SRC-01]. The museum's announcement did not attach individual award-category names to the three 2026 honorees, unlike the specific titles it assigned honorees at the prior year's gala [SRC-01][SRC-02].
The gala is the primary annual fundraiser for the Academy Museum, which occupies the renovated former May Company building alongside a spherical addition designed by architect Renzo Piano. The museum describes itself as the largest U.S. institution devoted to the arts, sciences and artists of moviemaking, offering exhibitions, screenings and education programs at its 6067 Wilshire Boulevard location, open six days a week and closed Tuesdays [SRC-03].
Proceeds from the annual gala fund the museum's exhibitions and public programming, the institution said. Its fifth annual gala, held in October 2025, honored Penélope Cruz, Walter Salles, Bowen Yang and Bruce Springsteen and raised more than $12 million toward that programming, according to the museum's post-gala announcement, which also credited attendees including Martin Scorsese and museum director Amy Homma [SRC-02]. The 2025 program recognized Cruz with the Icon Award, Salles with the Luminary Award, Yang with the Vantage Award and Springsteen with the Legacy Award; Springsteen also performed at the event, the museum said [SRC-02].
The museum, which opened its Wilshire Boulevard campus in the renovated Saban Building, states that its programming is guided by a commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion alongside its mandate to research, develop and present film history for the public, according to its institutional profile [SRC-03]. General admission includes complimentary access for museum members, who also receive expedited entry, the museum said [SRC-03]. The museum also describes itself as a premier international center for the exploration of film, a framing it applies to the exhibitions and screenings its annual gala proceeds are intended to support [SRC-03].
The museum has not released a ticket price, host committee or additional program details for the sixth annual gala beyond the Oct. 17 date and the Rolex presenting sponsorship [SRC-01].
For a related events perspective, read How Do Charity Auctions Actually Raise Money At A Gala.