Cinematic Pride and Cultural History: The Academy Museum Unveils Its Summer Programming Lineup
Photo: Courtesy of Academy Museum / @AcademyMuseum 2026
Summer in Los Angeles is officially hitting its stride, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is transforming its expansive Wilshire Boulevard campus into a vibrant epicentre for community, queer history, and cinematic preservation. The museum has unveiled a blockbuster calendar of events that bridges family-friendly performance art, deep-dive historical workshops, and historic Hollywood anniversary screenings.
From puppet-making workshops celebrating legendary local theater to world-premiere 4K restorations with original cast members, the museum's mid-June schedule promises to deliver an unforgettable cultural reset for film lovers and families alike.
Family-Friendly Spectacles: Drag Story Hour and Marionettes
The museum’s weekend lineup kicks off with a heavy focus on interactive, multi-generational storytelling designed to foster inclusivity and joy:
Drag Queen Story Hour: On Saturday, June 13, 20, and 27, the dazzling Pickle the Drag Queen along with her fellow high-fashion performers will sashay into the museum spaces for live readings of inclusive children’s books.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater: On Saturdays, June 13 and 20, the beloved Los Angeles institution The Bob Baker Marionette Theater takes over the museum. Visitors can meet the master puppeteers, participate in an open studio workshop to design their own one-of-a-kind puppet, and enjoy a dedicated Puppets and Pride performance.
Sunday Drag Brunches at Fanny’s: Starting this weekend, the museum's destination restaurant, Fanny’s, launches a new seasonal ritual. Guests can indulge in a curated menu alongside show-stopping live drag performances, jaw-dropping couture looks, and unmatched high-energy vibes.
Empowering the Next Generation: Teen History Workshops
Moving beyond pure entertainment, the museum is anchoring its programming with vital historical context. On Friday, June 19, Pickle and friends will host a specialized, interactive workshop tailored specifically for teenagers.
The session will deeply investigate the complex history of drag, tracing its evolution as a revolutionary art form. A major focus of the workshop will highlight the profound impact of Black performers in shaping drag culture, alongside an analysis of how the art form has been historically represented—and subverted—in global cinema.
Anniversary Screenings: A Celebration of Queer Identity and Cinematic History
For film purists and preservationists, the absolute crown jewels of the June calendar are two highly exclusive evening screenings inside the museum’s state-of-the-art theaters.
1. Spa Night (2016) — 10th Anniversary Screening
On Thursday, June 18, the museum celebrates the decade milestone of Andrew Ahn’s critically acclaimed indie masterpiece, Spa Night. Centered in the heart of Los Angeles’s Koreatown, the film is a poignant, beautifully framed exploration of a young Korean-American man navigating the pursuit of the American dream at the tense intersection of queer desire and traditional cultural identity.
The Post-Screening Panel: The event will be elevated by an exclusive Q&A moderated by legendary comedian and activist Margaret Cho, in conversation with director Andrew Ahn and lead actor Joe Seo.
2. Car Wash (1976) — 50th Anniversary World Premiere Restoration
On Saturday, June 20, Hollywood history will be made with the 4K restoration world premiere of the ultimate summer classic, Car Wash. In celebration of its landmark 50th anniversary, the museum will display the definitive, ultra-high-definition version of this soulful, multi-character comedy that captured the rhythm of 1970s Los Angeles.
An All-Star Reunion: Following the screening, a historic panel conversation moderated by renowned film scholar Jacqueline Stewart will feature the filmmaker Michael Schultz alongside an incredible lineup of the original cast, including Bill Duke, Antonio Fargas, Melanie Mayron, Garrett Morris, and Pepe Serna.