The Academy Museum Is Hosting a Free Career Summit

If you're an early-career filmmaker or just starting to figure out how the industry works, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has something worth clearing your schedule for.

On April 18, the museum hosts its 2026 Careers in Film Summit, a free, all-day event designed to open doors for high school and college students, as well as folks from under-resourced communities.

Tickets are first-come, first-served, and your summit ticket also includes admission to the museum galleries. Standby access is available, so don't be disheartened if the event tickets are gone.

Careers in Film Summit Programming

The programming is hands-on and meant to introduce participants to various positions in the film industry.

Cinematographer Ruben Contreras leads an on-set demo where you can get up close with professional equipment and try storyboarding and lighting.

Voice actor Bob Bergen—the current voice of Porky Pig—runs a session on voice acting, and there's a separate Foley arts workshop.

The Writers Guild Foundation's Javier Barrios is on hand for a session on breaking into writing, and the day closes with a panel hosted by director Carlos López Estrada (Dìdi, Blindspotting) alongside working crew members from productions like Anora and Broad City.

Keynote conversations with Jessica Alba and Keke Palmer round out the day. Palmer's session is led by the museum's own Teen Council, which is a nice touch.

There's also a career mixer from 6–7 p.m., where visitors can connect directly with Academy members and industry pros.

The summit runs from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. PT. Complimentary headshots are available too, so come camera-ready.

Check out the Academy Museum website for additional information.

Schedule

10 am: Museum opens

10:30–11:15 am: Welcome remarks and keynote address with Jessica Alba | Ted Mann Theater

11:15 am–4 pm: Las Fotos Project portraits | Grand Lobby

11:30 am–2 pm: On set with the Academy Museum | Tea Room (5th Floor)

11:30 am and 12:30 pm: Industry insights | SoC 1

12:30 and 2:30 pm: Voice and sound workshops | Shirley Temple Education Studio

4–4:30 pm: Keynote conversation with Keke Palmer | Ted Mann Theater

5–6 pm: Lights, camera, action! with Antigravity Academy | Ted Mann Theater

6 pm: Museum closes

6–7 pm: Coffee and career mixer | TMT Lobby