Rajendra Roy, MoMA's Chief Curator of Film, praised Jackson for his significant contributions to cinema, particularly his early collaborations with Spike Lee and his unforgettable performance as Jules in "Pulp Fiction." The upcoming Film Benefit will celebrate Jackson’s achievements alongside previous honorees like Quentin Tarantino and Laura Dern.
In addition to the honor, MoMA will host a retrospective titled "Samuel L. Jackson: A Tribute" from October 4 to 16. This series will feature key films from Jackson's career, including "Changing Lanes," "187," and "Captain Marvel." His latest project, the adaptation of August Wilson’s play "The Piano Lesson," will also be screened as part of this tribute ahead of its theatrical release on November 8 and Netflix premiere on November 22. Jackson reprises his role from the Broadway production in this new film directed by Malcolm Washington.
"The Piano Lesson" will also receive recognition at the 2024 Gotham Awards, where Jackson and his co-stars will be honored with the Ensemble Tribute. Chanel has been a proud supporter of MoMA's Film Benefit since 2011, helping to preserve and promote the Museum's extensive film collection, which includes over 30,000 films and 1.5 million film stills. The funds raised through the Film Benefit will aid in the continued growth and maintenance of this important collection, as well as support various film programs and events.