On September 25, 2021, as part of a week of celebrations culminating in the museum’s public opening on September 30, 2021,the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures hosted an Opening Gala co-chaired by Jason Blum, Ava Duvernay, and Ryan Murphy. Like the museum’s Hayao Miyazaki exhibition, the gala is designed as a journey, with décor inspired by the filmmaker’s enchanted worlds. Guests entered the event via a green carpet with large floral installations referencing Miyazaki’s depictions of the natural environment and the exhibition’s immersive Magical Forest.
The celebratory evening included the presentation of the inaugural Vantage Award to Haile Gerima, for his work as a filmmaker who has helped to contextualize and challenge dominant narratives around cinema, and the inaugural Visionary Award to Sophia Loren , for her extensive body of work that has advanced the art of cinema. The Vantage and Visionary Awards were generously presented by Rolex. Bob Iger, Annette Bening, and Tom Hanks were also recognized with the Pillar Award for their leadership of the recently completed Campaign for the Academy Museum. Designed by the Haas Brothers, the Pillar Award references the soaring sphere of the Academy Museum and the iconic gold of the Oscar.
From a cocktail hour on the Wilshire Terrace, guests passed through a whimsical Hayao Miyazaki inspired “tree tunnel” to a dinner under the stars on the Dolby Family Terrace. Dinner was prepared by Wolfgang Puck Catering, which oversees catering services at the museum and its restaurant Fanny’s. Marking the seventh year of a long-term partnership between Piper-Heidsieck and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Piper-Heidsieck provided the exclusive champagne of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opening celebrations. Rare Champagne Rosé 2007 and Rare Champagne Brut Millésime 2006 were served at the Opening Gala.
The cocktail hour featured signature drinks created by Diageo included Don Julio Ranch Water, Don Julio Limonada, Tanqueray Negroni, Ketel One Classic Martini, and Johnnie Walker Fuzhou Highball. Various spirits from Diageo’s portfolio were served including Tequila Don Julio 1942, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Ketel One Vodka, and Johnnie Walker Black Label.
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Julie is the founder of SNAP TASTE and a driving force in global storytelling, innovation, and creative leadership. A respected member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, she also serves as a judge for the CES Innovation Awards (2024, 2025, and 2026), bringing her perspective to the intersections of business, culture, and breakthrough technologies.
Her immersive reporting has taken audiences behind the scenes of defining world moments, from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai to CES, D23 Expo, and the Milano Monza Motor Show. Through her lens, global events become intimate, human stories.
An accomplished film critic and editorial voice, Julie has built a reputation for reviews that go beyond analysis, finding the heartbeat within the frame. Her work on National Geographic documentaries and other cinematic works speaks to audiences who believe that great storytelling has the power to shift perspectives and expand the world.
At the heart of everything Julie does is a belief that art, technology, and culture are not separate conversations. She has spent her career proving they never were.
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