“I don’t need to tell you how lucky we are to be making art in this time.”
When Viola Davis said those words during Saturday’s fifth annual Academy Museum Gala, the star-studded room let out an effusive round of cheers that felt more like a collective moment of gratitude than obligatory applause.
The awards ceremony and fundraiser, held at the museum’s new home, raised over $12 million in support of its educational programming and exhibitions. However, witnessing the camaraderie amongst the guests, the evening quickly became an intimate Black Hollywood reunion.
LaKeith Stanfield ran up behind Brian Tyree Henry, giving him a brotherly hug that looked long overdue. Zoe Kravitz and Tessa Thompson made the rounds in showstopping gowns, as Regé-Jean Page chatted closely with Quinta Brunson. Ayo Edebiri giggled, walking arm in arm with Hedda director Nia DaCosta.
The extended cocktail hour was abuzz with A-list stars, studio executives and film directors, including Nicole Avant, Ava DuVernay and Ryan Coogler. Gina Prince Bythewood, who stood next to the gala’s co-chair Viola Davis, shared the excitement from filming The Children of Blood & Bone. “The cast is phenomenal,” she said with the widest grin.
Minutes later, the echo of glass tapping signaled guests, including George Clooney and Martin Scorsese, as well as gala honorees Bruce Springsteen and Bowen Yang, to head upstairs for the start of the awards dinner. In the Dolby terrace room, co-chair Robert Downey Jr. attempted to start the ceremony cordially several times, but it wasn’t until he told the room, “Sit your asses down!” that invitees took their seats. Damson Idris, seated next to Ed Sheeran and Ben Stiller, let out a glorious laugh.
And just like that, the show began.
