MAZON Blog

The history of modern-day Hollywood film production has deep Jewish roots, a story told through the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ exhibition Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital.

Recently, the museum hosted MAZON, its supporters, and members of the Jewish community to celebrate this rich history as well as the continued impact of Jewish people on the fabric of Los Angeles. 

The event, held during Jewish American Heritage Month, brought together community leaders, supporters, and advocates for an intimate exploration of how Jewish immigrants transformed a small California town into the entertainment capital of the world.

“We were amazed by all the stories that the exhibit tells, showing the Jewish roots of Los Angeles. Stories of what it means to struggle and how to overcome,” said Abby Leibman, President and CEO of MAZON. “Now, more than ever, we turn to our Jewish values to go through a dark place to one that is brighter and more meaningful.” 

As members of Congress threaten to take away food assistance from millions of Americans, Leibman called upon the audience to look to Jewish tradition and history. 

“We are fighting back at this moment,” Leibman said. “We know there is a long road ahead, and we will fight this every step of the way.”

For attendees, the evening held special significance beyond its historical value. Many drew parallels between the social justice work these early filmmakers championed—often using their influence to support causes and communities in need—and MAZON’s contemporary efforts to fight hunger and poverty. The connection between past and present was particularly evident in discussions about how the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, continues to drive both creative expression and social action in Los Angeles today.

The exhibit tells a compelling story of transformation that began in the early 1900s. When Jewish immigrants like Louis B. Mayer, Samuel Goldwyn, and the Warner Brothers arrived in America, they faced significant barriers in established East Coast industries. Seeking new opportunities, they ventured west to California, where they would ultimately reshape American culture forever.

Telling the origin story of filmmaking in early 20th-century Los Angeles, the exhibit spotlights the profound impact of the predominantly Jewish filmmakers whose establishment of the American film studio system transformed Los Angeles into a global epicenter of cinema. Through this immersive gallery, visitors can trace how these visionary entrepreneurs built legendary studios including MGM, Paramount, Universal, and Warner Bros., creating an industry that would influence global entertainment for generations.

“The exhibition delves into the nuances of Hollywood’s Jewish history, exploring how the shared background of these industry founders weave together a complex immigrant story characterized by both oppression and innovation,” said Amy Homma, Director and President of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. “I’m very proud this exhibition is permanently on view at the museum for everyone to better understand the origins of this industry that impacted people across the globe.” 

The evening’s program included guided tours through the exhibition focusing on different aspects of this remarkable history. Attendees learned about the geographic transformation of Los Angeles itself—how orange groves and farmland gave way to sprawling studio lots and the iconic Hollywood sign that would become synonymous with dreams and stardom.

The exhibition spotlights the Jewish founders of the Hollywood studio system, emphasizing the ways in which the birth of the American film industry—and the depiction of the American Dream—is at its heart an immigrant story.

For the Los Angeles Jewish community and organizations like MAZON, the exhibition serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a call to action for continued engagement in shaping the cultural landscape of our city and beyond.

Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital is the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ first permanent exhibition. The Academy Museum is open six days a week from 10am to 6pm.  For more information, visit here.