"The Coolidge does not just showcase cinema; it builds cultural bridges, making Japanese culture more present, approachable, and celebrated in everyday community life.”
On Tuesday, April 21, at the Japan Society of Boston’s 2026 Global Diplomacy Gala, the Coolidge was honored with the Thayer award for “its distinction as one of the region’s foremost presenters of Japanese film, curating programs that have brought thousands of people together to experience the breadth, depth, and artistry of Japanese cinema.”
At the gala, Coolidge CEO and Executive Director Beth Gilligan accepted the award, which was established in 1991 to recognize “outstanding contributions to the cultural exchange between the United States and Japan.”
Japanese programming has been a staple at the Coolidge since the 1970s, when former theater owner Justin Freed began introducing essential Japanese films to the greater Brookline community through regular revival screenings. Today, that programming continues throughout the year with series and screenings highlighting various filmmakers and styles, including Akira Kurosawa, Takashi Miike, Hayao Miyazaki, Yakuza crime dramas, anime, Kaidan Kimodameshi, and more.
“Our longstanding commitment to showcasing Japanese cinema is an extension of this mission—it has allowed us to highlight the many great cinema artists from Japan, and to partner with the esteemed Japan Society of Boston,” said former Coolidge Executive Director and CEO Kathy Tallman. “It has been tremendously gratifying to see audiences across demographics discovering and enjoying these films. The Thayer Award is further validation of the Coolidge’s commitment to showcasing diverse, global perspectives in film."
“The Coolidge Corner Theatre’s dedication to showcasing Japanese cinema has made a lasting impact on Boston’s cultural landscape and on the many individuals who have been inspired, challenged, and connected through these films,” reads the nomination statement. “By continually reinventing itself, fostering neighborhood cohesion, and cultivating loyal audiences, the Coolidge has strengthened ties between the United States and Japan while modeling the leadership, innovation, and timeliness that the Thayer Award seeks to honor.”
About the Thayer Award:
The John E. Thayer III & Keiko Thayer Award was established in 1991 to commemorate the work and commitment of John E. “Jack” Thayer III and Keiko Thayer, long-time members of the Japan Society of Boston’s board of directors dedicated to furthering relations between Japan and the U.S. This award was established to recognize the achievements of individuals, groups of individuals, or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the progress of the understanding and friendship between the people of the U.S. and Japan.
About the Japan Society of Boston:
The Japan Society of Boston is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote cultural and economic ties and active interchange between Japanese and Americans for mutual understanding, business exchange, social connection, and friendship. We serve as a programming nexus for individuals, institutions, and businesses linked together by a strong interest in Japan and a shared recognition of the importance of the U.S.–Japan relationship.
