Sofia Coppola Celebrated at MoMA Film Benefit Amid New Projects

NEW YORK — Sofia Coppola, the acclaimed filmmaker known for her unique style, was honored at the Museum of Modern Art’s 17th annual Film Benefit on November 12. This event marked a significant moment in her career, highlighting her contributions to cinema over the past 25 years since her debut feature, The Virgin Suicides.

During the ceremony, Coppola reflected on her journey and the body of work she has created, stating, “It’s nice to pause and be like, Oh wow, I have a body of work.” She was celebrated alongside notable past honorees like Quentin Tarantino and Guillermo del Toro.

Coppola recently premiered her documentary, Marc by Sofia, about her longtime friend Marc Jacobs, while also launching a book tour for her late mother Eleanor Coppola’s memoir, Two of Me: Notes on Living and Leaving. Both projects resonate deeply with her personal life and artistic vision.

Elle Fanning, who starred in Coppola’s Somewhere and The Beguiled, praised her influence on how femininity is portrayed in film. “Living in that cinema… it would change my girlhood forever,” Fanning said at the event.

Jane Cha Cutler, lead producer of Marc by Sofia, characterized Coppola as revolutionary in her depiction of young women’s experiences, echoing sentiments from other colleagues who liken her work to a genuine representation of the inner lives of women.

Josh Hartnett, who worked with Coppola on The Virgin Suicides, recalls how her artistic vision was apparent even then. “Sofia was an artist in full from the beginning,” he said. “She took incredible risks in her approach.”

Throughout her career, Coppola has won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Lost in Translation and has also made significant contributions to the visual elements of her films, with costume designer Milena Canonero winning an Oscar for Marie Antoinette.

As her films reach new generations, Coppola continues to embrace challenges in the industry, sharing her ongoing journey of artistic growth and the importance of representation in film. “There’s always a push to get things made,” she stated, emphasizing the need for progress in female storytelling in cinema.

With her documentary projects and further developments underway, Coppola remains a prominent figure in contemporary filmmaking, inspiring both established and emerging directors alike.