The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) transformed into a beacon of cultural celebration on Saturday evening as the 14th annual Art+Film Gala brought together Hollywood’s most influential figures, fashion luminaries, and creative titans under one glamorous roof. The evening, presented by luxury Italian house Gucci and co-chaired by actor Leonardo DiCaprio and LACMA trustee Eva Chow, honored two remarkable creators whose work has fundamentally reshaped their respective disciplines: filmmaker Ryan Coogler and visual artist Mary Corse.
The convergence of art, cinema, and fashion created a magnetic moment that transcended the typical red carpet spectacle. This year’s gala served as more than a fundraising event, it became a testament to the power of creative vision and the vital role institutions like LACMA play in supporting and celebrating boundary-pushing artistic expression.
Ryan Coogler, the visionary filmmaker behind the blockbuster Black Panther franchise and the recently released film Sinners, received the evening’s most prominent accolade for his transformative impact on contemporary filmmaking. His films have demonstrated an unparalleled ability to reshape historical narratives and create new realms of cinematic possibility. The award recognized Coogler’s contributions to cinema that extend far beyond commercial success, positioning him among today’s most consequential storytellers working in the medium.
Speaking from the podium, Coogler delivered a profoundly personal speech reflecting on his journey from Oakland, California, and his evolution as an artist. He shared poignant memories of his late friend Michael Latt, a social justice advocate who tragically lost his life during a home invasion in 2023. “Michael was changing the world,” Coogler expressed emotionally, before acknowledging his own journey of artistic discovery. His remarks underscored how personal connections and community shape the work of visionary artists committed to cultural transformation.
“I never considered myself an artist,” Coogler confessed to the assembled crowd. “I was primarily a football player.” His candid reflection on his time at the University of Southern California on a football scholarship revealed a turning point in his undergraduate years when he was encouraged to write screenplays almost on a whim. That pivotal moment set him on a trajectory that would ultimately change the landscape of contemporary cinema. He spoke about arriving in Los Angeles feeling at his “weakest” and “lowest,” missing the community connections he cherished from his hometown. However, reflecting on his career arc, Coogler acknowledged that Los Angeles had become his second home. “I created memories here. I forged friendships here,” he told the assembled attendees, underscoring the profound connection between place, community, and creative genesis.
Alongside Coogler, the gala honored Mary Corse, a Los Angeles-based artist whose six-decade career has been instrumental in defining the Light and Space movement, one of the most significant artistic movements to emerge from Southern California. Corse’s work exemplifies a groundbreaking approach to light, perception, and the very essence of human subjectivity. Her paintings have consistently challenged viewers to contemplate the nature of vision itself, establishing her as a pioneering creator whose influence extends across generations of artists and theorists.
The artist’s contribution to contemporary art has been so profound that her permanent collections now reside in some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, the Guggenheim Museum, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Long Museum in Shanghai.
Michael Govan, LACMA’s CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director, eloquently framed the significance of honoring both creators: “Mary Corse has continually expanded the possibilities of painting with her stunning creations, which prompt us to contemplate the essence of perception. Similarly, Ryan Coogler’s films offer transformative experiences. Through exceptional storytelling and innovative visuals, he reshapes history, reinterprets narratives, and unveils new realms of possibility. Both creators encourage us to view the world from different angles.”
The evening’s red carpet proved to be a fashion spectacle that captured the imagination of style watchers worldwide. Attendees embraced an eclectic blend of haute couture, avant-garde designs, and luxurious evening wear that reflected the gala’s intersection of art and fashion.
Demi Moore turned heads at 62 in a stunning custom Gucci creation, a sheer black halter gown adorned with colorful floral sequins that hugged her figure. The dress’s delicate embellishments and strategic transparency exemplified the naked dressing trend that has dominated high fashion discourse. Her appearance demonstrated that sophisticated dressing transcends age, reinforcing conversations about timelessness in haute couture.
The mother-daughter duo of Kaia Gerber and supermodel Cindy Crawford created a visual harmony with complementary sequined ensembles. Gerber opted for a striking bright red design while Crawford chose a classic gold ensemble, generating immediate buzz among fashion commentators. Vittoria Ceretti, the Italian model, commanded attention in a plunging golden gown that highlighted her effortless elegance.
Elle Fanning made a bold statement in a baby blue faux fur coat paired with a matching gown, channeling Old Hollywood glamour with a contemporary twist. Tessa Thompson, Quinta Brunson, Kerry Washington, Angela Bassett, and Zoey Deutch all demonstrated the dress code’s sophisticated sophistication, with many selecting pieces from Gucci given the brand’s prominent presenting partnership.
On the masculine side of the fashion equation, attendees like Troye Sivan showcased a relaxed take on traditional suiting with an oversized two-piece ensemble paired with chunky boots, embodying a distinctly contemporary aesthetic. Damson Idris exuded sophistication in a sharp, clean double-breasted suit, while Charlie Hunnam opted for an unconventional velvety unbuttoned shirt that eliminated the jacket entirely, presenting a deliberately laid-back yet chic appearance.
The gala served as a particularly significant moment for Oscar hopefuls refining their red carpet strategies ahead of the 2026 awards season. The evening functioned as a master class in high-stakes fashion coordination, with attendees using the platform to make bold artistic statements through their sartorial choices. For insights into broader fashion trends from similar high-profile events, those interested in celebrity style evolution might explore coverage of Bella Hadid’s Victoria’s Secret triumph, which documented standout moments in contemporary fashion.
Given Gucci’s status as the presenting partner, the Italian luxury house wielded considerable influence over the evening’s aesthetic direction. The brand’s new creative director, Demna, utilized the platform to showcase his vision for the house’s future direction, with numerous attendees sporting Gucci designs that ranged from innovative to audacious. The collaboration between a historic luxury house and a contemporary museum underscored the increasingly blurred boundaries between fashion, art, and cultural institutions.
The evening culminated in an electrifying performance by global superstar Doja Cat, who delivered an unforgettable musical moment that energized the assembled crowd. Doja Cat’s presence at the gala represented a significant cultural moment, as the genre-defying artist has emerged as one of the most boundary-breaking creative forces in contemporary music. Her trajectory from uploading tracks to SoundCloud at age 16 to becoming a Grammy Award-winning, TIME100-featured icon exemplifies the transformative power of artistic ambition and creative authenticity.
The financial impact of the evening extended well beyond the glamorous spectacle. Proceeds from the 14th annual Art+Film Gala are directed toward underwriting LACMA’s ambitious initiative to make film more central to the museum’s curatorial programming. This funding supports exhibitions, acquisitions, and educational programming that explore the intersection of art and film, LACMA’s core mission. Last year’s gala reportedly generated $6.4 million for the institution, making the LACMA Art+Film Gala one of the museum’s most successful and strategically important fundraising events.
The event also provided a platform for reflecting on the gala’s legacy since its inception in 2011. Past honorees represent a veritable who’s who of artistic and cinematic achievement, including painters David Hockney, Ed Ruscha, and Barbara Kruger, alongside filmmaking legends such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Stanley Kubrick, and most recently, Baz Luhrmann. The consistency with which the gala attracts globally recognized creative titans speaks to LACMA’s significance in the broader cultural landscape and its unique ability to bridge the worlds of visual art and cinema.
The 2025 gala arrives at a particularly symbolic moment for LACMA. The evening unfolded against the backdrop of the nearly completed David Geffen Galleries, a structure designed by renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. This landmark building, slated to open to the public in 2026, represents a significant institutional evolution and signals LACMA’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of contemporary art and cultural discourse.
Eva Chow, the visionary founder of the Art+Film Gala who has co-chaired the event alongside Leonardo DiCaprio for its entire fourteen-year history, expressed enthusiasm about this year’s honorees. “This year’s event promises to be extraordinary as we honor the remarkable creators Mary Corse and Ryan Coogler,” Chow stated before the evening. “This occasion would not be feasible without the partnership of Gucci, our supporter since the inaugural Art+Film Gala. We appreciate their ongoing generosity towards the museum.”
The 2025 LACMA Art+Film Gala ultimately demonstrated why the event has become synonymous with Hollywood’s most prestigious cultural moments. By honoring creators like Ryan Coogler and Mary Corse, artists who have fundamentally challenged and expanded the boundaries of their respective disciplines, LACMA reinforces its mission as a vital cultural institution. The evening served as a reminder that art and cinema remain essential forces for transformation, perception, and human connection in an increasingly complex world. In celebrating these remarkable creators, the gala reaffirmed the enduring power of artistic vision to reshape culture and inspire generations to come.
