Palm Springs Film Fest Gala To Draw Stars, Crowds
The 23rd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival will honor industry heavyweights Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Glenn Close, among others, at its awards gala tonight.
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Michelle Williams, Gary Oldman, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, composer Howard Shore, director Stephen Daldry and French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius also will be honored at the festival’s sold-out gala.
The festival, which runs until Jan. 16, features more than 180 films from more than 70 countries. Screenings are being held at several theaters in and around Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, who will escort eight local students on the red carpet tonight, said the festival “is the most fun and unique special event in the Coachella Valley and brings in thousands of movie buffs and entertainment industry leaders to our city every January to enjoy the very best in American and foreign film.”
“I encourage everyone in the Coachella Valley and beyond to visit Palm Springs and experience this uniquely original film fest for yourselves,” he said.
Founded in 1990 by then-Palm Springs Mayor Sonny Bono, the festival is one of the largest in North America.
“It is also seen by American distributors as one of the best Academy Award campaign marketing tools in the country,” city spokeswoman Amy Blaisdell said.
On Sunday, Daily Variety will honor South African-born Academy Award- winner Charlize Theron and spotlight 10 up-and-coming directors at the Parker Palm Springs. Theron won the Oscar for best actress as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2003’s “Monster.”
For screening tickets, go to KESQ.com’s special Palm Springs International Film Festival section.
