Sofia Coppola received a distinguished accolade at the Museum of Modern Art’s 2025 Film Benefit, held on Wednesday and presented by Chanel. The event celebrated Coppola’s impactful career, beginning with her humble origins as simply Francis Ford Coppola’s daughter.
A prestigious lineup of celebrities, including Bill Murray, Elle Fanning, Josh Hartnett, Jason Schwartzman, Roman Coppola, Michael Ovitz, and Rajendra Roy, MoMA’s chief curator of film, gathered to honor her. Video tributes were also shared from Kirsten Dunst and her father, Francis Ford Coppola, further highlighting her significance in the film industry during the museum’s 17th annual gala.
In her acceptance speech, delivered with warmth and humor, Coppola reflected on her early career in the ’90s. She humorously remarked on her initial reputation, recalling how she was viewed as “the amateur actress who single-handedly ruined the Godfather films.” Her performance as Mary Corleone in Godfather III was particularly criticized, but she made light of the situation, bringing laughter from the audience.
Coppola acknowledged the skepticism she faced in her youth, stating, “Most people didn’t think I had something to say that mattered, but I found a few that did.” She expressed gratitude to her long-time agent, acting collaborators, and her father, whom she credited as an invaluable mentor in her journey through cinema.
The acclaimed director of films including The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, and Marie Antoinette took a moment to highlight inspirational figures in her life, specifically praising Jane Campion for demonstrating that women could be respected filmmakers. She also shared a piece of advice from Angelica Huston, recalling, “Not everyone’s going to love you, don’t waste your time on the people who don’t.”
Coppola drew attention to the challenges faced by female filmmakers in earlier times, recounting an executive’s belief that films with female leads wouldn’t attract male audiences. However, she celebrated the surge of female-driven narratives in contemporary cinema and emphasized the importance of having women in influential roles within the industry to support and finance these projects.
To conclude the evening, Elvis Costello performed, alongside other notables such as David Letterman, Rose Byrne, Lupita Nyong’o, Romy Mars, and Olivia Wilde. Sofia Coppola joined an esteemed list of past honorees at the MoMA Film Benefit, which includes celebrated figures like Samuel L. Jackson, Guillermo del Toro, and Cate Blanchett, among others. Her recognition not only underscores her contributions to film but also represents a broader acknowledgment of women’s evolving roles in the industry.