bong joon ho and david fincher headline academy museum spring events

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has revealed its rich lineup of spring programming for 2026, featuring acclaimed filmmakers including Bong Joon Ho and David Fincher. This season’s schedule will bring film series, public discussions, and educational activities to Los Angeles, highlighting “Bong Joon Ho spring programming” alongside other special events.

Festival Highlights Featuring Renowned Filmmakers and Special Guests

The spring programs comprise a special weekend dedicated to Bong Joon Ho and David Fincher, with screenings and in-depth conversations that explore their filmmaking artistry. Among the season’s standout events is a screening of the classic film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, set to inaugurate the Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon exhibition. The popular annual Careers in Film Summit will also return, providing aspiring professionals with insights from Academy members and other industry leaders.

Several distinguished guests will participate throughout the season, such as Jessica Alba, Steve Anker, Dion Beebe, Ben Burtt, Ashley Clark, Ken Kwapis, Max Minghella, Mandy Moore, Dennis Muren, and Billy Dee Williams, making for a robust and engaging roster of presenters and panelists.

“We are thrilled to offer visitors an exciting lineup of programming this spring that celebrates the history of film while championing future filmmakers,”

said Amy Homma, Director and President of the Academy Museum and Academy Collection.

“From unique screenings accompanied by conversations with some of the most prolific filmmakers, to family-friendly workshops, and exciting new exhibitions, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.”

Tickets for film screenings and public events are sold separately and can be purchased in advance through the Academy Museum’s website.

Acquisition and Development of ‘The Greene Sisters’ Trilogy

In related entertainment industry news, filmmaker and television writer Felicia Pride’s Honey Chile Entertainment has acquired the film and television rights to Kristina Forest’s The Greene Sisters trilogy. The romantic series includes the novels The Neighbor Favor, The Partner Plot, and The Love Lyric, chronicling the lives of three sisters balancing career, family, and contemporary romance.

“I’ve been a fan of Felicia Pride’s work for years, and we share the same mission of creating life-affirming art featuring Black women,”

said Forest.

“I’m so thrilled that Honey Chile has optioned ‘The Greene Sisters’ series and I’m excited for all that’s to come.”

Honey Chile Entertainment will develop the project with Pride writing and producing the first film, while also serving as producer on the subsequent two. The company’s focus remains on creating stories by, for, and about Black women over 40, further expanding its premium slate.

“At Honey Chile, we’ve always centered the audience and the power of Black storytelling,”

Pride commented.

“Kristina is such a smart writer whose work completely draws you into her worlds. Her ‘Greene Sisters’ trilogy captures romance, ambition, and partnership in ways that feel aspirational and deeply familiar.”

The acquisition signifies a growing commitment within the industry to diverse and nuanced storytelling, building on Honey Chile’s five years of production work. The company is represented by Dianne Fraser at Industry Entertainment, UTA, and attorney Marcie Cleary of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.

Upcoming Premiere of Crime Thriller ‘Once a Week for Life’

Stonecutter Media has secured North American rights to the crime thriller Once a Week for Life, produced by Fiat Lux Studios alongside BrandCinema. The film, written and directed by George Zouvelos, will debut in New York City on March 19 before its gradual rollout across select theaters and digital platforms in the U.S. and Canada starting April 14.

The movie centers on NYPD Lieutenant Adam Galanis, a Navy SEAL veteran struggling with PTSD and addiction while leading the NYPD–U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. When a failed fugitive sting triggers a violent feud between the Castellazzo crime family and influential City Hall figures, Galanis faces a harrowing choice between adherence to his moral code or survival at any cost.

The cast boasts notable actors including John Kapelos (The Shape of Water), Diana Durango (Escape at Dannemora), Daniel Roebuck (The Fugitive), Dikran Tulaine (The Blacklist), and Robert Funaro and Al Sapienza (The Sopranos), alongside others from acclaimed television and film projects.

Recognition of Emerging Filmmakers at Slamdance Film Festival

The Slamdance Film Festival, held recently in Los Angeles, celebrated its Sparky Award winners on February 25 at the Egyptian Theater, acknowledging breakthrough filmmakers from around the globe. This year’s festival screened 141 films, including 50 world premieres, representing diverse countries such as Australia, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iceland, Iran, Palestine, Spain, Sudan, and Vietnam.

Among the honored filmmakers, Jiin Oh, director of Speedy!, received the AGBO Fellowship established by Joe and Anthony Russo. Other notable winners include Aaron Hughes’ Cat & Nat, which earned the Summer Chastant Episodic Award, Yuqing Lai’s Whisperings Of The Moon for the narrative feature grand jury prize, and David Maler’s Zumeca which won the breakouts feature prize.

Additional credits were awarded in categories such as documentary feature (Silver by Natalia Koniarz), experimental short (I Would Have Liked To Make A Different Film by Suse Itzel), and animated shorts (Busy Bodies by Kate Renshaw-Lewis). The festival also bestowed special jury and spirit awards, recognizing innovative work and outstanding performances.

Taurus World Stunt Academy Honors the Best in Stunt Work

The 25th annual Taurus World Stunt Awards ceremony took place at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on February 25, spotlighting exceptional stunt professionals and their achievements in film. This event honors stuntcraft from both major studios and streaming releases, featuring contenders from companies such as Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., Amazon MGM Studios, Lionsgate, Paramount, Apple TV+, and Netflix.

The ceremony featured a dramatic opening with nominee Jon Devore parachuting from a helicopter to present the Taurus Award statue, setting an intense tone for the evening. Among the new honors, the Academy introduced its first-ever ICON Award, presented to Arnold Schwarzenegger in recognition of his profound influence on action cinema and stunt professionals.

• Best Fight: “Forbidden City” (Yunlong Ban, Yaxi Liu, Anthony Pho, Thitsady Voravong, Haoqi Yang)
• Best High Work: “Jurassic World: Rebirth” (Eduardo Gago Munoz)
• Best Stunt Rigging: “Final Destination: Bloodlines” (Dustin Brooks, Dar Hicks, Brent Lister, Dillion Maberly, Jason Reynolds)
• Best Work with a Vehicle: “Back in Action” (Amanda Bradley, Jef Groff, Kevin Waterman)
• Best Specialty Stunt: “Ballerina” (Seregi András, Jayson Dumenigo, Róbert Kovalik, Ivan Orsanyi, Gyula Toth)
• Best Overall Stunt by a Stunt Woman: “Eenie Meanie” (Crystal Hooks)
• Hardest Hit: “The Accountant 2” (Paul Whitecotton)
• Best Stunt Coordination and/or Second Unit Direction: “Back in Action” (JJ Perry, Troy Robinson, Travis Wong)
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Debbie Evans

The Taurus World Stunt Awards are distinctive in being voted on solely by active and retired stunt professionals, celebrating excellence within this specialized craft. Proceeds from the awards support the Taurus World Stunt Awards Foundation, which aids stunt performers recovering from career-affecting injuries.

Global Reach of BTS’ ‘Arirang’ In-Theater Concert Series

Fans worldwide now have the opportunity to experience BTS’ Arirang world tour live in cinemas, with screenings announced for April 11 in Goyang and April 18 in Japan. These full-length broadcasts showcase the band’s innovative 360-degree stage design and mark BTS’ return to global performances since their 2022 Permission To Dance On Stage tour.

The concert series spans 34 cities and 82 shows, promoting BTS’ fifth full-length album. Screenings will be held at over 3,800 locations across more than 80 countries, with additional events scheduled later in the year.

The Broader Impact of 2026 Academy Museum Programming

The Academy Museum’s spring offerings highlight the vibrant diversity and evolving creativity within filmmaking, illustrated by events that honor both legendary artists and emerging talents. With Bong Joon Ho and David Fincher headlining, the programming underscores the museum’s role as a hub for cinematic celebration and education.

These initiatives not only preserve the legacy of film history but also serve as platforms that nurture future industry contributors, providing opportunities for public engagement and professional development. The variety in events, from intimate filmmaker talks to large-scale exhibitions and workshops, ensures a dynamic cultural experience for visitors.

As the museum continues to host such influential gatherings, audiences and industry members alike can anticipate an ongoing commitment to innovation, inclusion, and the advancement of film arts throughout 2026 and beyond.