Sofia Carson Hosts Academy’s Scientific and Technical Awards Ceremony

Sofia Carson will serve as host for the Academy Museum ceremony honoring technical innovation on April 28. The event recognizes breakthroughs that shape filmmaking and will present 15 distinct honors.

Carson to Lead Scientific and Technical Awards Night

Carson will present awards including the Scientific and Technical Service Award. She will also hand out the Technical Achievement Award and the Scientific and Engineering Award. The recognitions have been awarded since 1931 to individuals and companies with lasting contributions to motion pictures.

Carson is an actor, producer and singer. She has starred in several Netflix films that reached number one globally, including Purple Hearts, Carry-On, The Life List and My Oxford Year. She is a multi-platinum recording artist and a UNICEF ambassador.

LA Rams Reimagine ‘Friday’ for Draft Campaign

The Los Angeles Rams released a video titled “Thursday,” inspired by the 1995 film Friday. O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Destin Tucker reprise roles tied to their fathers for the team’s 2026 NFL Draft campaign.

The video is live across the Rams’ digital and social platforms. It includes cameos from Terry Crews and rapper YG, among others.

• Featuring: Terry Crews, rapper YG, Kevin Dotson, Jared Verse, Byron Young, Big Boy
• Marketing lead: Kathryn Kai-ling Frederick, Los Angeles Rams

Property Masters Guild Announces MacGuffin Awards

The third annual MacGuffin Awards will take place at the Paramount Theater on Sept. 12. The ceremony honors property masters working across film, television, commercials and more.

Past winners include teams from Oppenheimer, The Last of Us, Shōgun, Dune: Part Two, Severance and Ripley. Submissions open April 29.

Full category details and guidelines appear at propertymastersguild.org/macguffinawards. Jeffrey Johnson leads the Property Masters Guild as president.

Cargo Film & Releasing Picks Up Georgia O’Keeffe Doc

Cargo Film & Releasing acquired North American rights to Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light. The documentary features Claire Danes as O’Keeffe’s voice and narration by Hugh Dancy.

Directed by Paul Wagner and produced under American Focus, the film will have special screenings around Mother’s Day. A nationwide digital release is planned for June 1.

Filming took place in New Mexico, New York, Virginia and Wisconsin. The documentary includes interviews with scholars and curators.

Crayola Studios and Bentonville Film Festival Launch Kids Initiative

Crayola Studios is partnering with Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival to find original children’s content. Finalists will pitch live at the festival in June 2026.

Selected creators will submit one-page concepts. One winning idea will advance with Crayola Studios for development.

Sabrina Wiewel and festival leaders will help evaluate submissions. The program aims to highlight bold, creative children’s storytelling.

USC Names Jason Reitman Commencement Speaker

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jason Reitman will deliver the USC School of Cinematic Arts commencement address on May 15. The ceremony takes place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Cinematographer Alice Brooks will receive the Mary Pickford Alumni Award. Elizabeth M. Daley announced both alumni will join graduates for the event.

Reitman holds Academy nominations for Juno and Up in the Air. Brooks has credits including Wicked and the upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.

Turner Classic Movies Acquires Latino Representation Documentary

Turner Classic Movies secured rights to Beyond The Border: Latino Representation in Hollywood. The film was directed by sisters Clara and Julia Kuperberg.

TCM will release the documentary in September during Hispanic Heritage Month. Voices featured include John Leguizamo, Esai Morales and Edward James Olmos.

Lupus LA Plans ‘Cuisine for a Cause’ Fundraiser

Lupus LA will host Cuisine for a Cause on May 3 at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles. The event benefits lupus research, patient services, and advocacy.

Co-chairs for the evening include Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed Whedon and Cara Dellaverson. Honorees include Amanda Palley, Terri Seymour and Dr. Vaneet Sandhu.

• Participating chefs: Neal Fraser, Tal Ronnen, Bricia Lopez, Vartan Abgaryan, Ben Ford, David LeFevre
• Event information: lupusla.org

Filmogaz.com will continue to follow these stories. Expect updates as events and releases move forward.