36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival

The Palm Springs International Film Festival is a premier event that showcases the best in global cinema. Each year, the festival draws film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and Hollywood’s biggest stars for a celebration of artistic excellence and storytelling. Recognized as one of the most important film festivals leading up to the film awards season, including the Oscars, it plays a pivotal role in the journey toward cinematic acclaim. From captivating film screenings and engaging Q&A sessions to a glamorous red-carpet gala and prestigious award ceremony, the festival offers a rich tapestry of events. It’s a vibrant gathering that honors the art of film and brings together a diverse community of creatives and fans alike.

Palm Springs International Film Awards – Jan. 3

The Palm Springs International Film Awards & Gala is a dazzling celebration of cinematic excellence, drawing Hollywood’s elite. This glamorous evening features a radiant red carpet, where stars don shimmering gowns and sharp tuxedos, creating a captivating display of fashion and elegance. The event, presented by Silvercrest and Entertainment Tonight, offers gourmet cuisine, cocktails, and an atmosphere filled with camaraderie as actors, directors, and industry insiders gather to honor outstanding achievements in film. The allure of the Film Awards is timeless, with many A-listers returning year after year to share stories, rekindle friendships, and make new connections in the enchanting setting of Palm Springs.

The Award Goes To:

The film Emilia Pérez will receive the Vanguard Award, which honors a film’s cast and director for their collective work on an exceptional project. Director Jacques Audiard and actors Karla Sofia Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Edgar Ramírez will receive the award.

Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo is the recipient of the Spotlight Award Actor for his performance in Sing Sing. In the A24 film Sing Sing, Divine G (Colman Domingo), imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men, including a wary newcomer (Clarence Maclin).  It is a stirring true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.

Mikey Madison will receive the Breakthrough Performance Award (Actress) for Anora. Since winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes, Anora has been the most talked-about film this season. ANORA is an audacious, thrilling, and comedic variation of a modern-day Cinderella story. Mikey Madison captivates as Ani, a young sex worker from Brooklyn whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets and impulsively marries Vanya, the reckless son of a Russian billionaire. However, when Vanya’s parents catch wind of the union, they send their henchmen to annul the marriage, setting off a wild chase through the streets of New York.

Conclave will receive the Ensemble Performance Award, honoring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Lucian Msamati, all expected to attend. Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi praised “Conclave” as a gripping drama featuring outstanding performances from its cast. Directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris’s bestselling novel, the film delves into the secretive process of selecting a new Pope, with Fiennes playing Cardinal Lawrence, who uncovers a conspiracy among the Church’s leaders, including Tucci and Lithgow. The film also stars Isabella Rossellini and others.

Adrien Brody has been awarded the Desert Palm Achievement Award (Actor) for his performance in Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” at the upcoming Palm Springs International Film Awards. Set in post-war Europe, The Brutalist follows visionary architect László Toth as he escapes to America to rebuild his life, his work, and his marriage to his wife Erzsébet after being forced apart during wartime by shifting borders and regimes. On his own in a strange new country, László settles in Pennsylvania, where the wealthy and prominent industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren recognizes his talent for building. But power and legacy come at a heavy cost.

Nicole Kidman is the recipient of the International Star Award for her performance in Babygirl. In Babygirl, Romy, played by Kidman, is a high-powered CEO who puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern. As a polished CEO, a mother, and a wife living in New York City, Romy lives in a world of careful control, tight scheduling, and an all-too-keen awareness of how she’s perceived at the heights of a male-dominated field. In her long-term marriage, she has also never truly found pleasure with her sweet, caring, and artistically driven husband. As Romy attempts to hold together her gilded persona, she is quickly undone after she meets Samuel. The film also stars Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas, and Sophie Wilde.

Angelina Jolie is the recipient of the Desert Palm Achievement Award (Actress) for Pablo Larraín’s Maria. From director Pablo Larraín, Maria stars Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas, one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century. The film follows the American-Greek soprano as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. Maria reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life. The film also features Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, and Stephen Ashfield, with Valeria Golino and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Mandrax. Maria releases in select theaters on November 27, 2024, and Netflix on December 11, 2024.

Kieran Culkin received the Breakthrough Performance Award (Actor) for his performance in A Real Pain. A Real Pain, presented by Searchlight Pictures, follows mismatched cousins David and Benji as they reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd couple’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

See Film Festival Schedule

Passes

Benefactor – $3,884 ($2,000 tax-deductible)

Premiere – $2,597 ($1,350 tax-deductible)

Concierge – $3,112 ($1,250 tax-deductible)

Platinum – $ 607

5 – Day A Pass – $397 (Jan 3 – 7)

5 – Day B Pass – $397 (Jan 8 – 12)

Student Pass – $213

After you purchase your pass, you will receive a confirmation email with more information about it and instructions on how to add your name to it. As passes are non-transferrable, this should match the name of the individual using the pass. Wear your pass at all times throughout the festival, as entry will not be granted without it.

Get Passes

Ticket Information

November 26 – Films & Schedule go live on the festival website

November 26 – Member Preview @Home

November 26- December 1 – Member-Only Early Bird Ticket Sales

December 2 – General Public Ticket Sales begin

General Admission $15 | PSIFS Members $12

Talking Pictures are $20 – $30.

You can purchase online, by phone at 760.778.8979 Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, or at the box office by credit card only.

Bring your valid ticket with you to the theatre, whether you received it at a box office, printed it at home, or have it on your mobile device.

Lines begin forming 30 – 45 minutes before showtime outside of the theater.

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