“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” will screen on May 9. (photo courtesy of the Academy Museum)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced 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,” Academy Museum director and president Amy Homma said. “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-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.

The Academy Museum is located 6067 Wilshire Blvd. For information, visit academymuseum.org.