THE ACADEMY ANNOUNCES THE JANET YANG ENDOWMENT TO CELEBRATE AND PRESERVE ASIAN, ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER FILMMAKING

Endowment provides essential funding and resources to support Asian and AAPI programming at the Academy Museum and acquisitions into the Academy Collection

Academy President Janet Yang and Director Ang Lee to join in conversation on May 9 to Celebrate Launch of Endowment and the 25th Anniversary of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) 

LOS ANGELES, CA, April 3, 2025—The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today the creation of the Janet Yang Endowment to Celebrate and Preserve Asian and AAPI filmmaking as part of Academy100, a global revenue diversification and outreach campaign designed to expand the Academy’s worldwide scope, ensure the success of its next 100 years, and connect audiences through their shared love of cinema. This endowment will, in perpetuity, celebrate the legacy, impact, and contributions of Asian and AAPI filmmakers and provide essential funding and resources to support Asian and AAPI programming at the Academy Museum, as well as the acquisition and preservation of Asian and AAPI-related film items in the Academy Collection. The endowment honors the legacy of Yang, the first Asian American president of the Academy, whose dedication to advancing diversity has helped pave the way for greater representation in entertainment and beyond.

“As a proud Asian American, it has been a privilege to serve alongside Janet Yang in support and celebration of Asian and AAPI filmmakers.” said Academy Museum Director and President Amy Homma. “This endowment builds upon the work the Academy has been doing for decades through our Academy Collection and now through the museum, to share Asian cinema through preservation, public programming, and exhibition.”  

“As the Academy continues to expand its global presence, the future of our non-profit cultural institution is strengthened by deepening our reach and impact with the international film community, including Asian and AAPI communities,” said Academy President Janet Yang. “I am so honored that this endowment will support the preservation of international cinema and the education of future generations of filmmakers, cinephiles, and filmgoers.”

In honor of the launch of the endowment, the museum will screen a limited series of Chinese-language films titled Raising the Lantern: A Celebration of Chinese-Language Cinema, running April 10 through May 24, guest programmed by Yang. The series features films submitted by mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan for consideration for the Academy Awards® International Feature Film category. On May 9, director Ang Lee will join Yang in person for an on-stage conversation following a presentation of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) in 35mm from a print from the Academy Film Archive. Ahead of the May 9 screening, Gold House and the Academy Museum will co-host a reception honoring Yang and her legacy. Watch the series trailer here.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures advances the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema through inclusive and accessible exhibitions, screenings, programs, initiatives, and collections. Since opening, objects on view from Asian and AAPI films have included costumes from Eiko Ishioka’s collection and Jessica Yu’s powerful Oscar® acceptance speech. The museum has also featured a gallery devoted to the iconic work of Bruce Lee, and the museum’s inaugural temporary exhibition, Hayao Miyazaki, was the first major North American museum retrospective dedicated to the Japanese animator and filmmaker. In March 2025, the museum opened Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho, the first exhibition dedicated to the internationally acclaimed, Oscar-winning film director. It is on view now through January 10, 2027.

The Academy Museum also features Asian and AAPI films through year-round film programming from notable filmmakers such as Gregg Araki, Joan Chen, Arthur Dong, Bong Joon Ho, Sammo Hung, Song Kang-ho, Lisa Lu, Yasujirō Ozu, S.S. Rajamouli, Satyajit Ray, Yim Soon-rye, and Youn Yuh-jung. Programs often feature special in-person appearances. 

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Support for the Janet Yang Endowment:
The Janet Yang Endowment is made possible in part by leadership support from Cindy Huang. Major support provided by the Mark and Anla Cheng Kingdon Foundation, East West Bank and its Foundation, and Lulu C. and Anthony W. Wang. Significant support provided by Chris Quintos and Will Cathcart, Tim Headington and Theresa Steele Page on behalf of Ley Line Entertainment, and Sheldon and Hong Pang. Additional support provided by David Chan, Cyndie M. Chang, Ernie Liang and Leelila Strogov, and Yashih Wu and John Lyie.

Raising the Lantern: A Celebration of Chinese-Language Cinema is generously supported by Dr. Gabriel Chiu and Christine Chiu Family Foundation.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY MUSEUM
The Academy Museum is the largest museum in the world devoted to the arts, sciences, and artists of moviemaking. The museum advances the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema through inclusive and accessible exhibitions, screenings, programs, initiatives, and collections. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, the museum's campus contains the restored and revitalized historic Saban Building—formerly known as the May Company building (1939)—and a soaring spherical addition. Together, these buildings contain 50,000 square feet of exhibition spaces, two state-of-the-art theaters, the Shirley Temple Education Studio, and beautiful public spaces that are free and open to the public. These include: The Walt Disney Company Piazza and the Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby, which houses the Spielberg Family Gallery, Academy Museum Store, and Fanny’s restaurant and café. The Academy Museum is open six days a week from 10am to 6pm.

ABOUT ACADEMY100 
In honor of the 100th Oscars® ceremony in 2028, the Academy has launched Academy100, a $500MM global revenue diversification and outreach campaign that will:

Celebrate artistry and innovation in global filmmaking
Develop the next generation of global film talent
Create powerful digital and in-person experiences for movie fans
Preserve our global movie history
Help craft a diverse and inclusive moviemaking industry

ABOUT THE ACADEMY COLLECTION 
The Academy Collection is the largest film-related collection in the world and tells the story of our global film history. It comprises over 52 million items from international film and filmmakers—costumes, scripts, posters, costume design drawings, photographs, films and videos, cameras, sound recordings, books and film festival catalogues, makeup and hairstyling process pieces, visual effects and technology assets, promotional materials, and much more.

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.