Disney’s unique relationship to the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

DisneyExaminer got a first look at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Why? There are so many Disney connections inside and out.

As we’ve reported on previously, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (or The Academy for short) has had a tight relationship with The Walt Disney Company for decades, starting with Walt Disney himself who was a member and multiple Oscar winner.

Today, the relationship extends to having Disney business segments like Disney/ABC Television being the exclusive home of the Academy Awards telecast. Filmmakers from Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios are Academy Members and have hosted public programs at the Academy’s headquarters in Beverly Hills, CA.

And just a few miles away from the headquarters building is the new Academy Museum (of Motion Pictures), the first time The Academy has ever had a place to tell the stories of cinema domestically and around the world.

Being that Disney is a global entertainment provider, it was only fitting that then Disney CEO Bob Iger took up the opportunity back in 2015 to lead the campaign to raise the $388 million dollars to build and open the Museum.

In addition to his personal financial gift, Iger also rallied the Company’s board to donate an undisclosed sum to the Museum as well, giving the naming rights to the open air piazza on the grounds to Disney.

The connections aren’t just of financial nature. They include the creative ones that directly and indirectly influence the Museum’s opening exhibitions.

For those who had visited the Disneyland Resort 5-6 years ago, Pixar and Disney created a physical contraption that, when applied to a strobe light, would mimic animated movement in. It was called the Toy Story zoetrope, and it was installed as an exhibit inside the Disney Animation Building at Disney California Adventure park.

After a few years, it disappeared, now only to reappear inside the Museum until June 2022.

For those looking for more Disney and Disney-related items to see, head to the Stories of Cinema 2 exhibit. You’ll find a lot more historical items that contributed to the making of films like “Toy Story,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Up,” and much more.

Many Disney and Pixar animation filmmakers also have been inspired by a fellow elder animation legend, Hayao Miyasaki. The famed anime pioneer has partnered with The Academy to create a special exhibition at the Museum showcasing themes of his lauded career seen through his various films created by his studio, Studio Ghibli.

It’s the first time ever that a North American audience will be able to get to see things from the Studio Ghibli archive, so don’t be surprised if you bump into Miyasaki fans like Pete Docter or someone when visiting.

In addition to all those connections, the Academy Museum will be hosting screenings and discussion events with filmmakers of Disney films in either of their two world-class theaters, so be sure to check out their event calendar for those. “Moana” is screening there soon as part of their inaugural screenings!

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is opening in Los Angeles on September 30.

Tickets are available now on the Academy Museum website. COVID protocols for entry apply.