MoMA Honors Steven Spielberg at Film Benefit
The Museum of Modern Art's 18th annual Film Benefit, presented by Chanel, celebrated the director with a gathering of Hollywood figures.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Awards
The Museum of Modern Art held its 18th annual Film Benefit in New York, presented by Chanel, honoring Steven Spielberg. Guests included Michelle Pfeiffer, Cate Blanchett, Christy Turlington, Zoe Saldaña, Emily Blunt, and Drew Barrymore.
Why it matters
The annual benefit raises funds for MoMA's film collection, preservation efforts, and exhibitions, supporting the museum's role in film archiving and programming in New York. The gathering of major film figures underscores the event's standing as a fixture of the city's cultural calendar.
The event marked the 18th year of the Film Benefit, held on November 12, 2026, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. No fundraising total or attendance figure was reported.
The players
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is a major New York institution founded in 1929 that is widely regarded as one of the world's leading modern and contemporary art museums.
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg is an American filmmaker known for directing blockbuster films and co-founding the studio DreamWorks.
The details
Guests attended the evening event at the Museum of Modern Art, where attendees included Jeff Goldblum, Riley Keough, and Robert De Niro, who came with partner Tiffany Chen. The benefit supports MoMA's film collection, preservation work, and exhibitions.
Timeline
November 12, 2026: MoMA held its 18th annual Film Benefit honoring Steven Spielberg.
Awards Season Context
The Film Benefit continues a yearly MoMA tradition of honoring major filmmakers, extending a series that has run for eighteen editions in New York. Its 2026 honoree, Steven Spielberg, joins the roster of directors the museum has celebrated across that run.
The benefit is a private fundraising gala, so most New Yorkers cannot attend it directly. Film fans in the city can follow MoMA's film programming and exhibitions, which the benefit helps fund.
The takeaway
Major cultural institutions rely on annual benefits like this one to fund collections and exhibitions that remain open to the public. Following a museum's programming is a practical way to see the work these events support.
Further reading
Explore more awards coverage from New York City.
