DISNEY'S "MUFASA: THE LION KING" IN THEATERS DEC. 20

Disney's "Mufasa: The Lion King" explores the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, "Mufasa: The Lion King" enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick.

Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

The film stars Aaron Pierre (Mufasa), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Taka/Scar), Tiffany Boone (Sarabi), Kagiso Lediga (Young Rafiki), Preston Nyman (Zazu), Mads Mikkelsen (Kiros), Thandiwe Newton (Eshe), Lennie James (Obasi), Anika Noni Rose (Afia), Keith David (Masego), John Kani (Rafiki), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Billy Eichner (Timon), Donald Glover (Simba), Blue Ivy Carter (Kiara), Braelyn Rankins (Young Mufasa), Theo Somolu (Young Taka), Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Nala).

Blending live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, the all-new feature film is produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen.

Watch this trailer for "MUFASA: THE LION KING"

CONAN O'BRIEN TAPPED TO HOST THE 97TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS

Emmy Award-winning television host, writer, producer and comedian Conan O'Brien will host the 97th Oscars.

It will be O'Brien's first time hosting the broadcast. The Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast worldwide on March 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. (ET/PT), with the official live Red Carpet Show airing at 6:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

"We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O'Brien host the Oscars this year,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang. "He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise. His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best--honor the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year."

"America demanded it and now it's happening: Taco Bell's new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I'm hosting the Oscars," said O'Brien.

"Conan is a preeminent comedic voice, whose decades-long success is marked by his distinctive humor and perspective," said Craig Erwich, President, Disney Television Group. "He joins an iconic roster of comedy greats who have served in this role, and we are so lucky to have him center stage for the Oscars."

"Conan has all the qualities of a great Oscars host--he is incredibly witty, charismatic and funny and has proven himself to be a master of live event television," said Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan. "We are so looking forward to working with him to deliver a fresh, exciting and celebratory show for Hollywood's biggest night."

O'Brien is best known for hosting the late-night talk shows "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien" and "Conan." Before his more than two-decade hosting career, he served as a writer for "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons." O'Brien currently hosts the podcast "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend" and recently starred in the 2024 travel show "Conan O'Brien Must Go." He has won five Primetime Emmys and earned 31 nominations for his work.

The 97th Oscars will be held March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY:

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is home to a global membership of more than 10,500 of the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders. The Academy recognizes and celebrates all aspects of the arts and sciences of moviemaking through renowned awards for cinematic achievement, including the Oscars. With the largest film-related collection in the world, the Academy is a leader in the fields of conservation, preservation and exhibition of film-related objects and materials.

Through its Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Academy presents powerful exhibitions, screenings and programs about cinema’s past, present, and future. The Academy also inspires young artists and creates opportunities for underrepresented communities to engage with the film world. Across all initiatives, the Academy connects global audiences – its members, the film industry, and film fans – through their shared passion for making and watching films.

ACADEMY MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURES ANNOUNCES 2024/2025 WINTER PROGRAMS

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures recently announced its new film series, public events, and education programs for the winter season.

Programming includes Animation and Me, a new family-friendly gallery experience featuring clips and stills from a variety of animated feature films; An Evening with Diane Warren featuring "Armageddon," an on-stage conversation with 15-time Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren, featuring a live performance of a medley of songs followed by a screening of "Armageddon" (1998); "Present Past: A Celebration of Film Preservation," featuring newly preserved and restored works from the Academy Film Archive, as well as other archives, studios, distributors, foundations, and independent filmmakers from around the globe.

It will also include the 10th Anniversary of the film "Selma" with director Ava DuVernay, David Oyelowo and key cast members as well as the return of 3D-cember!; a centennial retrospective on Paul Newman titled "The Roles He Played: Paul Newman at 100" and more.

The Academy Museum will also screen "Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema," a film series programmed to accompany the museum's new exhibition of the same name. The exhibition opened on Oct. 6 alongside "Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema" as a part of "PST ART: Art & Science Collide," an initiative presented by Getty, featuring more than 70 cultural institutions across Southern California offering thematically linked exhibitions and programs in a five-month-long exploration of the intersections of art and science.

"Here at the Academy Museum, we are deeply committed to working in partnership with filmmakers, artists, and our community to create programs that are not only educational but also joyful, celebratory, and inclusive,” said Director and President Amy Homma. "We're excited to present another season of one-of-a-kind programs featuring the best that the film community has to offer."

GALLERY EXPERIENCES:

Opening on Dec. 7, "Animation and Me" immerses viewers in projections of clips, concept art, and behind-the-scenes footage that illustrate the art and process of animation. Intended for all ages and especially tailored for younger audiences, the space encourages moments of reflection and interaction, including select screens that invite visitors to draw images pulled from the Academy's extensive animation art collection. The gallery content spans the entire history of animation, and a range of animation techniques and studios. "Animation and Me" will be complemented by educational programming with special guests and unique activities for visitors of all ages. "Animation and Me" runs through April 6, 2025.

To celebrate the opening day, award-winning animator, Head of Effects, and VFX Supervisor at Walt Disney Feature Animation Studios, Marlon West, will join visitors in the gallery for a Drop-in and Draw session.

SPOTLIGHT FILM SCREENINGS:

On January 18, 2025, the Academy Museum presents the 10th Anniversary of the film "Selma. This program will celebrate the decade since the film was released, and will dive into a discussion on the craft of the filmmakers, the art of the performances, director Ava DuVernay's approach to biographical filmmaking, and a detailed history of the film's production in a post-screening conversation with DuVernay and key cast members including David Oyelowo and more.

Spotlight film screenings this season also include a special Valentine's Day Academy Archive retro trailer show. "Retro Romantics: An Academy Film Archive Trailer Show" in 35mm features a selection of coming attractions exploring the agony and the ecstasy of arthouse amour. Also on Feb. 14, audiences can catch "The Young Girls of Rochefort" (Les demoiselles de Rochefort) (1967). The film, directed by Jacques Demy and starring George Chakiris and Gene Kelly, follows a traveling crew of carnival performers as they descend on the French seaside town of Rochefort, inspiring new romances and the chance to rekindle old flames.

LIMITED FILM SERIES:

From Dec. 1-22, the Academy Museum presents "Present Past: A Celebration of Film Preservation." This is the Academy Museum's second celebration, the first occurring in 2022, of newly preserved and restored films from the Academy Film Archive as well as other archives, studios, distributors, foundations, and independent filmmakers from around the globe. Each restoration will be celebrating its Los Angeles, West Coast, United States, North American, or World Premiere, with many of the filmmakers, subjects, archivists, and preservationists appearing to discuss their work. Present Past includes the restoration world premiere of "The Sugarland Express" (1974) in Dolby Vision and the restoration world premiere of the independent queer road movie "By Hook or by Crook" (2001) with an on-stage conversation with filmmakers Harry Dodge, Silas Howard, and Steak House, moderated by musician Kathleen Hanna.

During the last week of December, the Academy Museum will screen "3D-cember!" Visitors can experience the museum’s state-of-the-art Dolby 3D projection systems with classic and contemporary films shot in or intended for projection in 3D. Now in its third year, the series includes family-friendly animation, science-fiction thrillers of the 1950s, outrageous horror films, and ambitious contemporary 3D films, including those by international auteurs such as Werner Herzog.

To accompany the recent opening of the Cyberpunk exhibition, the Academy Museum presents the "Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema" limited film series from Jan. 2 to Feb. 15. A subgenre of science fiction, cyberpunk first appeared in the early 1980s and uniquely captured the anxieties of the decade. Featuring near-future scenarios set in worlds that resemble our own, cyberpunk stories juxtapose technological advances with social upheaval, ecological crisis, and urban decay. The series features films showcased in the exhibition, such as "Bladerunner" (1982), "Ex Machina" (2014), and "The Matrix" (1999) It will also feature "Videodrome" (1983) in 4K and "eXistenZ" (1999) with writer and director David Cronenberg in person. Jan. 3-26, the museum presents "The Roles He Played: Paul Newman at 100." Through a string of hits and an Oscar nomination for his performance as Brick Pollitt in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958), Newman cemented his reputation for embodying world-weary characters—always with a subtle spark of mischief in those baby-blue eyes. His gifts as a performer developed into a distinct sensibility behind the camera as he went on to direct and produce features in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. This program showcases eight titles to celebrate Newman, whose centennial birthday falls on the final day of the series.

In addition the Academy Museum will showcase "I Seem to Recall…Memories and Dreams in Cinema." This series examines filmmakers' fascination with dreams and memories and invites leading scholars and scientists to shed light on the ever-intriguing topics of dreams, reality, and memory. The series features films such as "Inception" (2010), "Memento" (2000), and the world restoration premiere of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004) in 4K. The series runs from Jan. 16 to Feb. 13.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS-- On Dec 6, the Academy Museum will present "An Evening with Diane Warren" featuring "Armageddon." This program offers a unique look into the power of song in film with one of the most prolific artists of all time, 15-time Oscar-nominated, two-time Golden Globe winning, and Emmy-winning legendary songwriter Diane Warren. The conversation will be moderated by Oscar-winning screenwriter and actor Nia Vardalos and followed by a screening of "Armageddon" (1998) in 4K.

Award-winning graphic designer and creative director Kenny Gravillis will join the museum on Dec. 14 for an inside look at the making of a modern-day movie poster. "Making a Movie Poster with Kenny Gravillis" will feature a presentation showing the process of developing movie posters for top films followed by a Q&A. This program is FREE with general admission and will be hosted in the Shirley Temple Education Studio.

On Jan. 25, the Academy Museum welcomes author Mimi Haddon to discuss her book "Palace Costume: Inside Hollywood’s Best Kept Fashion Secret," published by Chronicle Chroma, with the owner of "Palace Costume," Melody Barnett, and Oscar-nominated costume designer Shirley Kurata and two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Mark Bridges. They will go behind the scenes into Palace Costume & Prop Co., a Los Angeles film-industry haven of dresses, gowns, garments, accessories, props, and jewelry featured in iconic movies for over fifty years. The program will also feature a book signing.

The Academy Museum presents "Gallery Spotlight: Animating Worlds and Characters" with Peter Sohn on Jan. 31 in the Ted Mann Theater Lobby. The program will feature a conversation with Oscar-nominated director Peter Sohn ("Elemental," 2023) as he discusses the process of creating a world never seen before and a look inside his memorable animated films. Sohn joined Pixar Animation Studios in September 2000 and has worked on several Oscar-winning feature films, including "Finding Nemo" (2003), "The Incredibles" (2004), and "WALL-E" (2008). He made his directorial debut on the Pixar short "Partly Cloudy" before directing his first feature, "The Good Dinosaur" (2015).

On Feb. 14, the Academy Museum will welcome back Oscar-nominated filmmaker Joi McMillon for a special "Gallery Spotlight: Inside the Editing Room with Joi McMillon.. This program will feature an engaging conversation with the award-winning editor as she discusses the technique and artistry of film editing, while reflecting on her groundbreaking 2018 nomination as the first African American woman nominated for "Best Achievement in Film Editing" for her work on "Moonlight" (2016). The conversation will take place in the Ted Mann Theater Lobby.

ONGOING SERIES AND PROGRAMS:

Oscar Sundays: Held every Sunday evening in the David Geffen Theater, this winter's Oscar Sundays programming will celebrate Black excellence at the Oscars through major wins and nominations achieved by Black artists. Family Matinees: Held every Saturday for families of all ages. December's Family Matinees will screen as a part of "3D-cember!" with family-friendly titles that showcase the museum's state-of-the-art Dolby 3D projection systems. January and February will shine a spotlight on Oscar-nominated animated films from the 2000s and 2010s.

Branch Selects: 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.

Available Space: A monthly series showcasing experimental and independent film and media. This winter's Available Space program will highlight the works of Phil Solomon, an experimental filmmaker known for his work as an analog film alchemist.

Drop-in Tours: 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 1 p.m.to 3 p.m. on Fridays. Drop-in Workshops for Teens: Held on the third Friday of every month from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and designed for teens ages 14 and up. Drop-in Workshops for Families: Held the first three Saturdays of every month. Drop-in Workshops for Families are designed for families with children ages 2 and up.

Gallery Spotlights: Gallery Spotlights feature special guests who will explore select exhibition spaces and themes. Education and family programs are ongoing at the Academy Museum, complementary to film programming. Programs take place throughout the museum in exhibition galleries, theaters, and the Shirley Temple Education Studio. 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 accommodative Family Matinee film screenings for visitors who are neurodivergent.

TICKETS AND ADMISSION:

Tickets for film screenings and public programs are sold separately and do not require general admission to the museum. All tickets are available through advance online reservations via the Academy Museum's website. Film screening tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 62+), $5 for students, $5 for children (ages 17 and younger), and $8 for museum members. Admission to daytime film screenings is $5. Public and education program tickets range from free with admission to $20 for adults. Museum members receive complimentary general admission for unlimited visits and priority admission. Visitors can learn more about membership benefits, which include a 10 percent discount in the Academy Museum Store, and exclusive members-only advance film screenings, by visiting the museums website at https://www.academymuseum.org/.