The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announces its new film series, public events, and education programs for the 2025 summer season.
Programming includes a screening of The Sugarland Express (1974) with Goldie Hawn on May 29; Teen Movie Madness! and Summer of Camp!, two playful and nostalgia-filled film series celebrating coming-of-age comedies and cult cinema; a screening and conversation with Crip Camp (2020) directors Jim Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham; and American Gurl: Seeking…, a film series guest programmed by Zehra Zehra and Kilo Kish, which reimagines the American Dream through the lens of women of color; Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s annual Puppets and Pride presentation; and Queer, Period: Desire Through the Ages, a film series exploring queer identity and connection through stories that span five centuries.
Additional highlights include a 40th anniversary screening of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985) in 35mm; a 35mm nitrate print presentation of Cluny Brown (1946); and special appearances by filmmaker Sofia Coppola and actor Kirsten Dunst for a screening of The Virgin Suicides (1999). Public programs range from family-friendly Claymation workshops to panel conversations on horror makeup artistry and groundbreaking special effects. From vibrant gallery activations to bold cinematic retrospectives, the museum offers something for visitors of all ages to enjoy this summer.
“This summer’s lineup reflects the creativity and collaboration that define the Academy Museum,” said Director and President Amy Homma. “From filmmaker talks and curated film series, to hands-on workshops for all ages, we’re bringing together diverse voices and perspectives. Programs like our Crip Camp conversation and screening showcase how cinema can inspire dialogue, community, and change—all made possible through the artists and partners who help shape these experiences.”
JUNE SERIES AND PROGRAMS
June 1 | The Virgin Suicides (1999) with Sofia Coppola and Kirsten Dunst
The Academy Museum presents a special screening of The Virgin Suicides (1999), followed by a conversation with filmmaker Sofia Coppola and actor Kirsten Dunst. Coppola’s acclaimed directorial debut, adapted from Jeffrey Eugenides’s novel, explores memory, adolescence, and suburban mystique. The program will include a book signing with Coppola at noon ahead of the 2pm screening and conversation.
June 1–August 30 | Summer of Camp!
A film series celebrating cinema at its most exaggerated, artificial, and gloriously over-the-top. Inspired by Susan Sontag’s seminal essay Notes on Camp, this series embraces cult classics, oddities, and “so bad it’s good” gems—from Reefer Madness (1936) to Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and White Chicks (2004)—inviting audiences to take pleasure in the playful, the theatrical, and the delightfully absurd.
June 7–July 10 | Teen Movie Madness!
Programmed in collaboration with the Academy Museum Teen Council, the series spotlights iconic and era-defining films—from the rebellious spirit of the 1980s (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, 1986), to 1990s literary-inspired hits (Clueless, 1995), 2000s indie gems (Saved!, 2004), and 2010s coming-of-age stories (Dope, 2015) that explore identity and belonging.
June 7 | Women Behind the Makeup and Monsters! with Howard Berger
Join the Academy Museum for a panel discussion hosted by Oscar-winning makeup effects artist Howard Berger. The conversation will explore the transformative power of horror makeup and feature leading women makeup artists—including Tami Lane, Eryn Krueger Mekash, and Gabi Gonzalez—whose work has brought unforgettable creatures and characters to life on screen.
June 7 and 28 | Puppets and Pride
The Academy Museum partners once again with the beloved Bob Baker Marionette Theater to present Puppets and Pride, a dazzling performance that celebrates self-expression and acceptance.
June 7–28 | Drag Story Hour with Pickle and Friends!
On Saturdays in June, join us for special editions of Drag Story Hour with Pickle and Friends!, where drag artists read storybooks that celebrate identity and encourage confidence.
June 13 | 4K restoration screening of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Directed by Miloš Forman, this five-time Academy Award–winning classic—starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, and Brad Dourif—remains a landmark in American cinema, celebrated for its powerful performances and bold storytelling.
June 15–30 | Queer, Period: Desire Through the Ages
Featuring historical dramas and period pieces set between the 1550s and 1950s, this series highlights powerful, often subtle stories of heartbreak, desire, and resilience that reclaim LGBTQIA+ presence throughout history.
June 16–August 29 | Designing to Music: Costume, Makeup, and Hairstyling in Musical Films
A weekday matinee film series celebrating the behind-the-scenes artists who brought some of cinema’s most iconic musical looks to life. Programmed in conjunction with the Stories of Cinema: Identity gallery, the series features dazzling films from The Wizard of Oz (1939) to Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020). Screenings are free with same-day general admission and complimentary for Academy Museum members.
June 19 | Gallery Conversation: Costuming Black History with Sharen Davis
Two-time Academy Award–nominated costume designer Sharen Davis (Ray, 2004; Dreamgirls, 2006) reflects on her 30-year career and the art of costuming Black stories across 150 years of history.
June 19 | Motion Picture Laboratories: The Technology and Creative Partners of Filmmakers
A multimedia program spotlighting the vital yet often overlooked role of film labs in cinematic history. Industry leaders, lab alumni, and filmmakers will share behind-the-scenes stories and explore how labs have helped bring filmmakers’ creative visions to life.
June 26 | The Tuba Thieves
A screening of The Tuba Thieves (2023), followed by a conversation with filmmaker Alison O’Daniel. Inspired by a series of real-life tuba thefts, the film explores sound, loss, and community through a hybrid of documentary and fiction, featuring open captions and an immersive sensory experience. ASL interpretation will be provided.
June 28 | A Tribute to Val Kilmer featuring Tombstone
A screening of Tombstone (1993), newly restored in 4K. Directed by George P. Cosmatos and written by Kevin Jarre, this classic Western follows Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) through the legendary O.K. Corral showdown. Featuring a standout cast, a sweeping score by Bruce Broughton, and vivid cinematography by William A. Fraker, the film remains a modern genre favorite.
JULY SERIES AND PROGRAMS
July 3–August 31 | Bathed in Light: Saturated Colors in Cinema
A film series celebrating bold, expressive uses of color on screen. Inspired by the neon cinema montage in the museum’s Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema exhibition, this series highlights visually striking works ranging from the vivid stylings of Suspiria (1977) to neon-lit neo-noirs like Fallen Angels (1995).
July 6 and 13 | Les vampires (The Vampires) (1915)
Louis Feuillade’s landmark 10-part silent film serial will be screening in its entirety. Starring Musidora as the iconic Irma Vep, this nearly seven-hour epic follows a journalist’s pursuit of a ruthless criminal gang and remains a foundational work of crime cinema.
July 13 | 35mm nitrate screening of Cluny Brown (1946)
Starring Jennifer Jones in her first comedic role, this witty pre-war satire follows a free-spirited plumber and a philosopher caught in a charming game of will-they-or-won’t-they, showcasing the beloved director Ernst Lubitsch’s signature “touch.”
July 14–August 16 | American Gurl: Seeking…
Guest programmed by Zehra Zehra and Kilo Kish, this series explores how women of color navigate identity, desire, and the evolving ideals of the American Dream through films including Seeking Mavis Beacon (2024) and Spike Lee’s Girl 6 (1996).
July 17 | Kind of a Drag: Experimental Films, Documentaries, and Scratch Animation by Heather McAdams, 1980–1995
A selection of short films by Heather McAdams, known for her scratched, spliced, and found footage works that remix pop culture with sharp, feminist humor, including unique portrait films on two very different drag queens. The screening features newly restored 16mm prints and an in-person introduction by the filmmaker.
July 19 | Crip Camp: Conversation and Screening
A screening of Crip Camp (2020), featuring a discussion with directors Jim Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham about the groundbreaking summer camp that sparked a disability rights movement.
July 25 | Gallery Spotlight: Cinematic Effects with Shane P. Mahan
Shane P. Mahan of Legacy Effects discusses the artistry of practical effects in films like Avengers: Endgame (2019) and The Suicide Squad (2021), including the iconic transformation in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931). The conversation will be moderated by Visual Effects Supervisor Kaitlyn Yang.
AUGUST SERIES AND PROGRAMS
August 9 | Writing Once Upon a Time
Acclaimed screenwriter and playwright Linda Woolverton goes behind the scenes with stories from her feature films, including The Lion King (1994), Alice in Wonderland (2010), Maleficent (2014), and Beauty and the Beast (1991), which was the first animated feature to be nominated for Best Picture.
August 9 | 40th anniversary of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure in 35mm
Directed by Tim Burton in his feature debut and starring the unforgettable Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman, the film follows the eccentric hero on a wild cross-country quest to recover his beloved red bicycle.
August 10 | Study the Past, Create the Future! Teen Short Film Challenge
Selected by the Academy Museum Teen Council, 9 to 12 short films—each inspired by the teen creators’ favorite directors—will be screened in a special showcase event.
August 21 | Boat’s Railway Sleepers
A screening of Railway Sleepers (2016), directed by Sompot “Boat” Chidgasornpongse and produced by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Filmed over eight years aboard Thailand’s railways, this poetic documentary captures everyday encounters and fleeting moments, evoking a dreamlike sense of movement, memory, and connection.
ONGOING SERIES AND PROGRAMS
Oscar® Sundays | Every Sunday at 2pm (Free with General Admission)
Held every Sunday in the David Geffen Theater, this series celebrates films that have been honored at the Academy Awards. This summer, we are spotlighting films that won Oscars for their visual effects.
Family Matinees | Every Saturday at 11am
Held every Saturday for families of all ages. This summer, the Academy Museum invites visitors to experience the spirit of summer camp with a season of outdoor fun under the sun. The final Family Matinee of every month is an accessible screening where we offer open captioning, keep the theater dimly lit, and maintain a lower volume for viewers who are neurodivergent. Accessible screenings may not always fit the month’s theme.
Branch Selects | Every Wednesday at 7:30pm
This weekly series offers a one-of-a-kind journey through film history programmed in collaboration with members of the Academy branches. Each week a different branch selects a film that represents a major achievement in the evolution of moviemaking.
Drop-in Tours | Every Friday from 1pm to 3pm
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. On Saturdays in June, visitors can join Drop-in Tours: Devices of Wonder.
Drop-in Workshops for Teens | Third Friday of Every Month from 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Workshops designed for teens ages 14 and up. June will feature a Drag 101 workshop led by Pickle Drag Queen.
Drop-in Workshops for Families | First Three Saturdays of Every Month
Drop-in Workshops for Families are designed for families with children ages 2 and up. June will feature Pride and Puppetry workshops, July will feature Claymation, and August will feature Production Design Miniature Prop-making.
Curator’s View Tours
On select days, visitors can explore the Academy Museum with a curatorial team member and dive into the behind-the-scenes stories of the exhibitions. On June 20, visitors can join the Color as Character tour for an inside look at the museum’s Color in Motion exhibition.
Highlights Tours
On select Wednesdays and Sundays in June, the museum will explore the work of production designers Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer in the new exhibition Barbie to Anna Karenina: The Cinematic Worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer.
Available Space
A monthly series showcasing experimental and independent film and media. This summer’s Available Space offerings showcase three singular programs that explore sound, memory, and identity through bold and unconventional storytelling.
Gallery Spotlights
Gallery Spotlights feature special guests who will explore select exhibition spaces and themes.
The museum offers ASL Interpreted Tours monthly for folks from the hard of hearing and Deaf communities, Visual Description Tours for folks from the low vision and blind communities, and Calm Morning programs and accessible Family Matinee film screenings for visitors who are neurodivergent. A full schedule of Family Matinees may be accessed here .
