The Palm Springs International Film Festival, now in its 35th year, is set to commence this week. The festival will feature a star-studded gala and film awards ceremony, along with the screening of 179 films from 74 countries. Of these films, 48 are premieres and 40 have been submitted for the international feature film Oscar category.
Discover Cathedral City released a press statement stating that the festival begins on January 4, 2024. The gala and Film Awards will take place at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The City of Cathedral City is sponsoring this year's festival. Screenings are scheduled to be held at Mary Pickford Theatre in Cathedral City over the course of the twelve-day event.
According to information provided by Visit Greater Palm Springs, this year's honorees include Carey Mulligan, who will receive the International Star Award for her role in "Maestro"; Cillian Murphy, recipient of the Desert Palm Achievement Award for his role in "Oppenheimer"; Colman Domingo, Spotlight Award for his role in "Rustin"; Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Breakthrough Performance Award for her role in "The Holdovers"; Emma Stone, Desert Palm Achievement Award for her role in "Poor Things"; Greta Gerwig, Director of the Year for "Barbie"; Jeffrey Wright, Career Achievement Award following his new film "American Fiction"; Danielle Brooks, Spotlight Award for her work in the reimagining of "The Color Purple". The cast of "Killers of the Flower Moon" will receive the Vanguard Award; Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell will be honored for their song "What Was I Made For" from "Barbie."
Visit Greater Palm Springs also revealed that the opening night screening will feature the United States premiere of "Wicked Little Letters," directed by Thea Sharock and starring Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley. This screening is scheduled for January 5 at Palm Springs High School. The final screening, "Ex-Husbands," directed by Noah Pritzker and starring Griffin Dunne and Miles Heizer, will be shown on January 13.
The official website of the film festival, psfilmfest.org, provides information on tickets and show times, as per Visit Greater Palm Springs. The ticket price for most film screenings is set at $15.