Palm Springs has ignited the creativity of cinema’s finest from the Golden Age to today’s digital frontier. More than a destination—it’s a source of inspiration. A muse. Welcome to the Palm Springs International Film Festival where the screens light up like the stars and every moment invites you to tell your own story.
palmspringsca.gov
Connecting film, television, and commercial productions to the resources they need.
Nachhattar Singh Chandi Chairman of the Board
On behalf of the entire Board of Directors and our incredible staff, I am thrilled to welcome you to this year’s 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival It is with great excitement and anticipation that we come together to celebrate the incredible artistry and passion that the world of cinema has to offer
Each year, we are reminded of the power of film to inspire, challenge, and connect us across cultures, boundaries, and experiences� We aim to do that this year by presenting a collection of more than 160 films, representing 70+ countries, which have been curated by artistic director Lili Rodriguez and her talented staff of programmers especially for our festival audiences
Our festival is not just a celebration of the moving image, but of the stories that push us to see the world through new lenses, to ask difficult questions, and to dream of new possibilities Over the next few days, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a rich and diverse array of cinematic experiences, ranging from intimate indie narratives to bold international works� We take great pride in the fact that our festival is widely regarded throughout the industry as the festival that screens the most submissions to the Best International Feature Film category of the Academy Awards® This year, once again, we’re bringing you a large selection of those films in our Awards Buzz program
We invite you to don your finest attire and celebrate with us as we honor some of the biggest A-list movie stars and filmmakers in the world at the annual Film Awards Gala, which will be held on Friday, January 3 at the Palm Springs Convention Center� This is the only event in the valley where you can celebrate among Hollywood’s best and brightest – stars like Ralph Fiennes, Angelina Jolie, Adrien Brody, Nicole Kidman, Timothée Chalamet, and more Oscar® hopefuls –while enjoying a fabulous dinner in our elegantly decorated ballroom And it’s all for a good cause, raising more than $2 5 million for the nonprofit Palm Springs International Film Society’s year-round mission
Whether you are attending as a filmmaker, a member of the press, or a passionate filmgoer, you are part of a community that cherishes and supports the art of storytelling This festival exists because of the collective efforts of countless individuals – from the filmmakers and their teams to the volunteers, sponsors, and audiences – all of whom contribute to making this event a unique and meaningful celebration of creativity�
I want to thank our title sponsor, City of Palm Springs; Film Awards Presenting Sponsor, Silvercrest; and our host Mary Hart and Entertainment Tonight for helping to make this one of the most exciting events in the world of film
We hope you take full advantage of everything the festival has ahead for you, and, above all, enjoy the magic of film!
Nachhattar Singh Chandi, Chairman of the Board
The Film Awards underwriters are Harold Matzner, David McGrath, Sean McGrath, Jordan Schnitzer, Jan Salta, and myself. Combined, our entire Board of Directors donates more than $1 million annually to this benefit for the Palm Springs International Film Society. It is an honor to support the vision and passion of our founder, Sonny Bono, our past chairman, Harold Matzner, and James R. and Jackie Lee Houston, who chaired this event for so many years.
Cindy Blikre & Michael Cornelo, Todd Burke & Dennis Wolframski, Kelly Caruso, Nachhattar & Susana Chandi, Judge Tom Chiola (Ret), Mark Coleman & Terence Kissack, Camille Cook, Clara DiFelice, Kathi Garcin, George F Hamel Jr, Dan Harries & Andrew Faye, Christiane Joubert, Nancy Kranzberg, Bobbi Lampros, Athalie & Adnan LaPamuk, Carlos J. Ledezma MD & Mary Clare Lynch de Ledezma, Gary Loeb, Michael Marchi & Silva Mirzoian, Harold Matzner & Shellie Reade, Cecilia Ponicsan, Maxine Schaffer, Antonio Shelby & Gregory Shelby, Jim & Kathy Simpson, Stephanie Wernig
Michael Amaro & Les Young, Mario Bertucci, Heather Burek, Mr. Michael W Elliot & Ms. Sandra B. Norman, Nanci Garoon, Jim Gomes, Sandra Hayward Feriancek, Pierre Lemieux, Zan Merriman, Patrick Mundt, Randy Paschke & John Bisceglia, Harrison Pierce, Fred & Richel Roggin, Deborah Schwarz & Chris Thomas, Lori & Aubrey Serfling
Ken & Vicki Alterwitz, Betsy Aubrey, Mark Borovitz, Lewis Brown, Tom Carlock, Kate & Nate Cheney, Linda Cheever, Anita & George Cooks, Betsy Crowe, Garret Demarest & Tim Murphy, David Denison, Iljose Dobler, Michaele Drayer, Donna & Robert Dughi, Seth & Sylvia Evans, Glenn Flood & Louise Passey, Rich Gordon, Stella Green, Dr. Kenneth P. Green, Rahul Jadhav, Gina Kakos, Carol & Bill Kaplan, Don Kasper & Jim Bochinski, Christine M. Keen, Martin Kuffel, Mary Ann LaBahn & Ryann Whalen, Susan & Rodney Lubeznik, Nicole MacNaughton, Dana Manciagli, John McDonald-O’Lear, Bill Mitchell & David Vignolo, Tim Murphy, J. Michael Naughton, Tom O’Brien, Loren Ostrow, Marsha Pachter, Dr. Joseph Palacios, Gail A. Pischak, Catharine Reed, Judi Rees, Marcella Ruble, Arlene Colman-Schwimmer & Arthur E. Schwimmer, Stanton Segal, Leigh Silverton, Sylvia Skratek, Gary & Nanci Smaby, Vanessa Smith, Jeffrey Sosnick, Julie Spira, Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns, Paige Sullivan, Mary Sussmann, Tom Swedenburg, Caroline Thompson, Mike & Sally Traidman, George & Carla Van Hoomissen, Edward Woods, Dr. Les Zendle & Jerry Hanson
Lili Rodriguez Artistic Director
Dear Film Friend,
As we welcome you to the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival, we find ourselves reflecting on why the movies mean so much to us In a time when the world can feel divided, cinema remains a uniquely powerful force – a way to connect us, inspire empathy, and remind us of our shared humanity This year’s festival is a celebration of storytelling from around the globe, and we invite you to join us in experiencing the transformative magic of the movies
Our 2025 festival promises to be a rich, vibrant experience with over 160 films from 70+ countries, highlighting the extraordinary diversity of stories being told today From gripping dramas and captivating documentaries to lighthearted family films, we’ve curated a lineup that truly has something for everyone� At the heart of it all is a simple goal: to create a space where audiences can gather, share in the joy of storytelling, and leave feeling inspired
This year, we’re thrilled to announce the addition of a new venue in La Quinta, the Cinemark Century La Quinta, a meaningful step in our mission to make the festival more accessible across the Coachella Valley By expanding east, we hope to reach more communities and make it easier than ever for film lovers to join us� Of course, you can also enjoy films at any of our other six venues across Cathedral City and Palm Springs, including Festival Theatres (formerly Regal Palm Springs)�
While the festival is international by design, this year we’re placing a special focus on Spain, a country whose cinematic history is as rich and diverse as its culture� Through a curated selection of films, we’ll explore the creativity, passion, and artistry that have made Spain a force in global cinema As part of this spotlight, we’re proud to present a mini-retrospective of legendary filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, featuring three of his most iconic films – one each from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s
Education has always been an essential part of our mission, and we’re proud to announce that our Student Screening Day is expanding to reach 3,000 students across the Coachella Valley By bringing the festival experience to young audiences, we hope to inspire the next generation of storytellers, creators, and thinkers�
In addition to Student Screening Day, we’re delighted to bring back Family Day, designed to welcome audiences of all ages Bring the family out on Sunday, January 12 for fun activities like face-painting, food, and, of course, a lineup of familyfriendly films at Mary Pickford is D’Place
Whether you’re attending for the first time or have been with us for decades, this year’s festival is designed to welcome everyone With individual tickets, passes, and easy online purchasing, you can plan your experience in a way that works for you – whether that’s catching one must-see film or immersing yourself in 12 days of cinema!
See you at the movies!
Lili Rodriguez Artistic Director
Director, Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism
Welcome to Palm Springs for the 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival!
In 1989, when then-mayor Sonny Bono introduced the festival, he envisioned it as an annual celebration that would help put the city on the map and make it a year-round must-visit destination for visitors from around the world�
Since then, it has become one of the largest film festivals in North America, growing from five days to 12 days, and attracting A-list celebrities
Tourism has also grown in Palm Springs, bringing with it a host of amazing attractions, innovative restaurants, world-class art and unique boutique hotels and resorts
Whether you’re a visitor to our city or a resident, I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a remarkable destination “like no place else!”
Kimber Foster Director, Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism
Chief Executive Officer, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
Palm Springs is a playground with enduring beauty, a retro vibe, and fun in the sun A smalltown scale combined with urban sophistication is being rediscovered by a new generation of the young and hip who have fallen in love with this enclave of cool From midcentury-modern-style architecture to a stylish and bold new downtown experience, Palm Springs has retained a mix of historic charm and trend-setting design
The city’s vibrant personality is being re-imagined to embrace a new energetic vibe
We welcome visitors and residents with new stylish hotels, exquisite boutique inns, fashionable restaurants, chic shops and boutiques, and unique entertainment venues as well as welcoming public spaces for gathering, celebrating and relaxing� We invite you to stay and play with us here in Palm Springs
,
Nona Watson Chief Executive Officer, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
CEO,
Welcome to the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival! On behalf of the tourism and hospitality community, it is an honor to welcome you to our beautiful oasis, a place where creativity, culture, and breathtaking landscapes converge to create an unforgettable experience
Here in Greater Palm Springs, we invite you to escape your ordinary As you immerse yourself in the world-class films, we hope you also have the chance to discover the many wonders that make our destination so exceptional From exploring our vibrant attractions and savoring the cuisine of our celebrated restaurants to simply taking a moment to relax and soak in the sunshine, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy
We are incredibly grateful to the organizers, volunteers, filmmakers, and sponsors who work tirelessly to bring the Palm Springs International Film Festival to life, and to each of you for sharing your passion for cinema with us Your presence here helps make this event so memorable, and we are thrilled to have you celebrate with us
Enjoy every moment of your time here, and may your experience in Greater Palm Springs be as unforgettable as the stories brought to life on the big screen
Scott
White President
and CEO, Visit Greater Palm Springs
Jeffrey Bernstein, Mayor
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way • Palm Springs, Cali fornia 92262
Jeffrey Bernstein, Mayor
Ron deHarte, Mayor
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way • Palm Springs, Cali fornia 92262 Tel: 760.323.8200 • Fax: 760.323.8207 • E-Mail: Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way • Palm Springs, California 92262 Tel: 760.323.8200 • Fax: 760.323.8207 • Email: Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov
January 2025
January 2024
January 2024
Dear Film Lovers!
Greetings Film Lovers - ¡Saludos Amantes del Cine,
Dear Film Lovers!
As Mayor of the City of Palm Springs, Southern California’s most iconic resort destination with a legendary connection to Hollywood, I am delighted to welcome you to the 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival� This is one of the largest, most respected, and star-studded film festivals in North America�
As Mayor of Palm Springs, California, Southern California’s most iconic resort destination with a rich connection to Hollywood, I am delighted to welcome you to the 35th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. This is one of the largest, most respected, and star-studded film festivals in North America.
Indeed, the City of Palm Springs is extremely proud to be the Title Sponsor and host of this worldrenowned festival, founded by late Mayor Sonny Bono This year, the festival is once again expected to attract more than 150,000 film-goers, who just like you, come to enjoy more than 100 world-class films created by filmmakers from over 60 countries�
As Mayor of Palm Springs, California, Southern California’s most iconic resort destination with a rich connection to Hollywood, I am delighted to welcome you to the 35th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. This is one of the largest, most respected, and star-studded film festivals in North America.
The City of Palm Springs is tremendously proud to be the Title Sponsor and host of this world -renowned film festival, founded by late Palm Springs Mayor Sonny Bono. This year, the festival is expected to attract more than 150,000 film-goers, just like you, who come to enjoy more than 100 world-class films created by filmmakers from over 60 countries.
And while you’re here enjoying the sunshine, we invite you to experience all the “Uniquely Palm Springs” attractions that you can find nowhere else in the world From the breathtaking views atop the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, hiking the spectacularly beautiful Indian Canyons – to enjoying the City’s vibrant shops, restaurants, iconic mid-century modern architecture and the wildly popular 22-foot-tall Forever Marilyn sculpture, Palm Springs truly is like no place else with something for everyone!
The City of Palm Springs is tremendously proud to be the Title Sponsor and host of this world-renowned film festival, founded by late Palm Springs Mayor Sonny Bono. This year, the festival is expected to attract more than 150,000 film-goers, just like you, who come to enjoy more than 100 world-class films created by filmmakers from over 60 countries.
Not only will you be able to experience the very best in cinema, but you will also be able to enjoy all the “Uniquely Palm Springs” attractions that you can find nowhere else, including beautiful weather, breathtaking scenery, vibrant shops, restaurants, iconic architecture – and let’s not forget the wildly popular 22-foot tall “Forever Marilyn” sculpture in the heart of downtown. It’s all part of that special magic that makes Palm Springs like no place else!
A big thank you to our Film Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi, the Board of Directors, Staff, and the many volunteers and local businesses who work so hard to make this festival a resounding success every year Additionally, I must take a moment to thank Chairman Emeritus Harold Matzner, whose service to this festival continues – and we cannot thank him enough for his decades of unwavering commitment when it comes to ensuring the Palm Springs International Film Festival is truly one of the finest in the world
Not only will you be able to experience the very best in cinema, but you will also be able to enjoy all the “Uniquely Palm Springs” attractions that you can find nowhere else, including beautiful weather, breathtaking scenery, vibrant shops, restaurants, iconic architecture – and let’s not forget the wildly popular 22-foot tall “Forever Marilyn” sculpture in the heart of downtown. It’s all part of that special magic that makes Palm Springs like no place else!
A big thank you to the Festival’s new Chairman Nachhattar Chandi, the Board of Directors, Staff, and the many volunteers and local businesses who work so hard to make the Palm Springs International Film Festival such a resounding success every year. In particular, I want to extend my deepest thanks to the festival’s recently retired Chairman, Mr. Harold Matzner, whose many years of unwavering commitment to ensuring this Film Festival is ranked one of the finest in the world can never be matched. We hope you enjoy your time in Palm Springs – and see you at the movies!
Enjoy your time in Palm Springs – and see you at the movies!
Sincerely,
A big thank you to the Festival’s new Chairman Nachhattar Chandi, the Board of Directors, Staff, and the many volunteers and local businesses who work so hard to make the Palm Springs International Film Festival such a resounding success every year. In particular, I want to extend my deepest thanks to the festival’s recently retired Chairman, Mr. Harold Matzner, whose many years of unwavering commitment to ensuring this Film Festival is ranked one of the finest in the world can never be matched. We hope you enjoy your time in Palm Springs – and see you at the movies!
Sincerely,
Warm Regards – Un
Abraz,
Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor of Palm Springs
Ron deHarte Mayor, City of Palm Springs
Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor of Palm Springs
Tel: 760.323.8200 • Fax: 760.323.8207 • E-Mail: Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Post
Me Yah Whae (Hello):
On behalf of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, it’s my pleasure to officially welcome you to the Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival�
The Tribe is proud to sponsor this world-class film festival The Palm Springs International Film Festival is one of the most popular film festivals in the country This festival brings together some of the most talented, well-respected professionals in the film industry
Hollywood has long been in love with Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley and Tribal land The Tribe’s distinguished history with Hollywood goes back to the 1930s when movie stars would visit Palm Springs and enjoy the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring, for which the Tribe and the city were both named, and now the site of our Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, a cultural heritage destination where Tribal members and guests celebrate the history, culture, traditions, and modern life of the Tribe Opened in 2023, the 5 8-acre complex features the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and The Spa at Séc-he, a state-of-the-art spa fed by the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring� Séc-he means “the sound of boiling water” in the Cahuilla language�
Our beautiful Tahquitz Canyon had a starring role in “Lost Horizon,” Frank Capra’s 1937 film featuring Ronald Coleman and Jane Wyman And, the Indian Canyons, another of our celebrated ancestral homes, has continued throughout the decades to be a unique source of scenery for the film industry�
Also, brands such as Louis Vuitton, Aston Martin, Vogue and GQ, to name a few, have enjoyed filming the unique beauty of the Indian Canyons, a lush oasis of palm trees, desert landscape, rock formations and natural mountain spring waters
In addition to supporting the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Tribe is a significant member of the Coachella Valley’s philanthropic community, donating millions of dollars over the years to support organizations that help children, people with illness and disabilities and the elderly, among other causes The Tribe is proud to be as instrumental in the Valley’s prosperity today as we have been for generations The Tribe looks forward to the Palm Springs International Film Festival every year It’s an opportunity for the community to celebrate the industry that made Palm Springs famous Whether you are visiting or call Palm Springs home, we invite you to enjoy all the Coachella Valley has to offer� Now, sit back and enjoy the shows�
Sincerely,
Reid D. Milanovich Chairman, Tribal Council
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
We honor the incredible legacy of JoAnn McGrath, whose quiet dedication and humility belied the extraordinary impact she had on so many lives�
A devoted supporter of the Palm Springs International Film Society, JoAnn served as a board member and Film Awards underwriter for more than 20 years after joining in 2004�
JoAnn believed that fortune was meant to be shared and that everyone deserved a fulfilling life� Her kindness, resilience, humor, and generosity were hallmarks of her character, leaving an indelible mark on our organization and beyond�
Through the Highland Street Foundation and her beloved family, her legacy continues to inspire�
We are deeply grateful for her unwavering support and the lasting impact of her generous heart�
EISENHOWER is proud to SUPPORT the Palm Springs International FILM
Purchase online at psfilmfest org
Or call 760-778-8979 (Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm)
In-person purchases and voucher exchanges may be completed at box office locations during operating hours
December 2 - January 1
10 am - 5 pm, (closed December 24 & 25)
Festival Theaters ( formerly Regal Palm Springs) 789 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs
January 2 - 13 one hour before the first show is scheduled to start, and close 30 minutes after the last show starts Theater box offices are not open on days without screenings at that theater
CASHLESS BOX OFFICE
We welcome Visa®, Mastercard®, Discover ® , American Express® and debit cards
Merchandise is available online at destinationpsp com
Destination PSP Store, Downtown Palm Springs 170 North Palm Canyon Dr
Festival Theaters
789 E Tahquitz Canyon Way (Jan 3-13)
Richards Center for the Arts at Palm Springs High School
2248 E Ramon Rd�, Palm Springs (Jan 2-12)
Tickets may be picked up at a box office location during operating hours� Only the person who purchased the tickets may pick them up with a valid photo ID
Your print-at-home ticket(s) will be attached to your order confirmation email in PDF form Simply open the PDF, print and present your tickets at the theater upon entry You may also present the PDF on your mobile device�
VALID PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED
BENEFACTOR PASSES
can be picked up:
December 29 - January 2, 9 am - 9 pm at the Palm Springs Convention Center 277 N Avenida Caballeros, Palm Grove Room
After January 2 at the Ticket & Information Center located in the Festival Plaza, 789 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
Check website for dates and times
CONCIERGE, PLATINUM, PREMIERE, 5-DAY A, 5-DAY B, & STUDENT PASSES
can be picked up at the Ticket & Information Center located in the Festival Plaza, 789 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
Check website for dates and times
GUEST, INDUSTRY, & MEDIA PASSES
can be picked up at the Guest & Industry Suite located inside the Hilton Palm Springs 400 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Tapestry Room
January 1, 1 pm - 5 pm
January 2 - 12, 9 am - 5 pm
January 13, 9 am - 12 pm
Passholders can request a Queue-card while waiting for entry into the specified theater 45 minutes prior to a film screening until the passholder allocation is reached� Keep this Queue-card while waiting to enter the theater scheduled for the next screening You do not need to wait in line The Queue-card guarantees you entry up to 20 minutes before the screening After 20 minutes entry is not guaranteed Queue-cards are given to determine the passholder seating as quickly as possible (1) One Queue-card per passholder� Passholder must be present� The Queue-card must be presented with valid pass for admittance
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: By attending the festival, you agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions, which can be found at psfilmfest org/about/terms-and-conditions
SCHEDULE CHANGES: Sometimes, for reasons beyond our control, programs must be changed, rescheduled or cancelled A daily update on schedule changes may be obtained at psfilmfest org Changes will also be posted at each venue� Please check for updates periodically�
REFUND POLICY: No refunds or exchanges If customer has an emergency they may request a credit Credits are at the discretion of management If PSIFS has to cancel a screening or event, customer will receive a refund or exchange
REFUSAL OF SERVICE: PSIFF reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason We enforce this policy to ensure a secure, professional and convenient environment for all of our patrons
SCANNING: All tickets and passes will be scanned upon entering each screening� They are individually barcoded, allowing only one scan per use� Attempts to duplicate, alter or sell any copies of print-at-home tickets or passes will result in admittance being refused to the event Tickets and/ or vouchers purchased through a third party will not be accepted
RE-ENTRY PASSES: Anyone (including pass holders) exiting an auditorium with plans to return to that particular screening MUST obtain a Re-Entry Pass in order to be readmitted to a screening A festival pass or ticket stub and re-entry pass is required for re-entry
STANDBY TICKETS: When a film screening or event is on Standby, it means that the ticket allotment has been reached Any empty seats are released for sale 10 minutes prior to a screening Patrons can join the standby line for a chance to purchase these seats Standby tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and may or may not be sold for some programs Passes, credit and vouchers are accepted
• Saving space in line, or seats for other patrons is not permitted�
• Late seating is not permitted PSIFF will not sell tickets or allow seating once the program has begun Any exception to the late-seating policy is at the discretion of the Festival Venue Manager
• If you need to leave the auditorium for any reason,take your pass or ticket stub and pick up a Re-Entry Pass before you leave�
• No one will be re-admitted without their pass or ticket stub and the Re-Entry Pass
• No recording equipment is permitted in the theater auditorium
• No large bags are permitted inside venues; all bags are subject to search�
• Please turn off all mobile devices during the film presentation No talking or texting permitted during the film presentation
• Smoking is strictly prohibited at all Festival locations, including e-cigarettes and vaping products
• Please complete and return your Audience Award ballot immediately following each screening�
• To expedite theater cleaning and seating, please discard your waste in the appropriate containers and exit promptly after your screening
• All theater auditoriums are cleared between show times Any items left in the auditoriums will be removed and placed in Lost and Found�
• Many lines are outside of the theaters Please dress appropriately for comfort, as it can get warm during the day and cold in the evenings Theaters may also get chilly
• Saving space in line, or seats for other patrons is not permitted
CONNECT WITH THE FILM PROGRAMMERS AND YOUR FELLOW FILM SOCIETY PALS AT OUR MEMBERS-ONLY COFFEE CHAT SESSIONS.
GET THE LOWDOWN ON THE FILM PROGRAM, SWAP IDEAS, AND SOAK UP THE GOOD VIBES.
Sunday, January 5 - 9am - 10am
MARY PICKFORD IS D’PLACE
Wednesday, January 8 - 9am - 10am
PALM SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER
CAMELOT THEATRES
Annenberg Theater 101 N Museum Drive, Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs Cultural Center Camelot Theatres 2300 E Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA
Festival Theaters (formerly Regal Palm Springs) 789 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA
Cinemark Century La Quinta 46-800 Washington St , La Quinta CA
Mary Pickford is D’Place 36850 Pickfair St , Cathedral City, CA
Palm Canyon Theatre 538 N� Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA
Richards Center for the Arts Palm Springs High School 2248 Ramon Rd, Palm Springs, CA
Relax in luxurious accommodations and enjoy award-winning entertainment at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage, proud multi-year recipient of the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award and the AAA Four Diamond rating.
Rejuvenate at the award-winning Sunstone Spa, rated one of the top spas in the country and one of the only Forbes Five-Star elite spa casinos in California.
Experience the best in fine dining and unparalleled service at The Steakhouse, Forbes Four-Star Award recipient and winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence consecutively since 2007.
On behalf of the entire staff at the Palm Springs International Film Society, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your exceptional leadership and guidance. Your time, dedication, and unwavering support has been invaluable to our success, and we truly appreciate all that you do for us.
“Empower your passion with our support –we can achieve greatness!”
At Desert Care Network, we’re ready for any emergency, any time, with highly trained teams in three locations across the valley. And, with our online check-in, you can let us know you’re on your way.
At Desert Care Network, we offer:
• Three Trauma Centers, including the only Level 1 Trauma Center in our Desert
• Only DNV-Accredited Comprehensive Stroke Centers
• Highest Level NICU for newborns in the Coachella Valley
Check in online or learn more at DesertCareNetwork.com/ER
FILMMAKER RETREATS AT
For the past decade, PSIFF and the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands have partnered to arrange intimate and private daylong Filmmaker Retreats� The retreats host a select group of filmmakers from all over the world with the purpose of providing an informal setting wherein international directors can speak candidly and confidentially about their work and the filmmaking process with other directors from around the world, building an international community among participants
SUNNYLANDS FILMS ON THE GREAT LAWN
Seasonal outdoor screenings for the whole family�
PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM ANNENBERG THEATER SUMMER FILM SERIES
Getting people out of the heat and into the comfort of a cool theater for great films
These dynamic and evolving programs are made possible by the generous contributions of passionate filmgoers like yourself� For more information or to make a donation, please visit psfilmfest.org/support-us/donate
The Palm Springs International Film Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate and promote the art and science of film through education and cross-cultural awareness� In addition to producing the Palm Springs International Film Festival every January and the annual Palm Springs ShortFest in June, the Film Society proudly offers year-round educational programs that serve thousands of youth and adults of diverse means and backgrounds in the Coachella Valley, as well as college students from across the Southern California region and visiting filmmakers from around the world
These dynamic and evolving programs encapsulate the Film Society’s vision to use the medium of film to inspire creativity, encourage introspection and compel exploration
College and high school students are provided practical hands-on experience alongside our team of professionals for school credit
Working filmmakers visit various schools throughout the Coachella Valley, giving visual art students the unique opportunity to participate in an intimate and informative discussion generating inspiration beyond the classroom with experts in their craft
Student Screening Day is more than a field trip, it is an opportunity to inspire and be inspired The screenings expose students to ideas, cultures and people from around the globe Representing a diverse range of perspectives and storytelling styles, the films in this series have brought all corners of the world to Coachella Valley youth with more than a dozen local area high schools participating in this special event
USA, 2024, 102 minutes
Director: Tracie Laymon
Cast: Barbie Ferreira, John Leguizamo, French Stewart, Lauren “Lolo” Spencer, Rachel Bay Jones
Genres: Coming of Age, Comedy, Drama
When Lily (Barbie Ferreira) turns to Facebook to track down her estranged father, she instead forms a surprising connection with a compassionate, childless stranger (John Leguizamo) who shares his name. Winner of the 2024 SXSW Grand Jury and Audience awards, writer/director Tracie Laymon’s witty, touching debut is inspired by her own extraordinary experiences.
Student Screening Day Sponsored In Part By
David Ansen Lead Programmer
David Ansen was Newsweek’s movie critic from 1977 through 2008 and continued to write for the magazine until its last print edition in 2012 He was the Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Film Festival for five years, and previously served for eight years on the selection committee for the New York Film Festival
Alissa Simon Lead Programmer
A film curator for more than 25 years, Alissa Simon was named a 1999 Chicagoan of the year for her innovative work at the Art Institute’s Film Center She also writes for the trade paper Variety, consults for a number of foreign festivals, and has served on numerous international film festival juries
Therese Hayes Senior Programmer
A student of Far Eastern Civilization at the University of Washington in Seattle, as well as Indian art and cinema, Therese serves as a consultant on Indian films to several film festivals and institutions� She is on the board of Film Trust India in Mumbai, and is cocurator for the Stuttgart Indian Film Festival
Hebe Tabachnik Programmer
Hebe Tabachnik is a seasoned film curator, festival consultant and producer that seeks to empower visionary artists She is also Senior Programmer at the Seattle and Cartagena Film Festivals and Artistic Director of Cine Latino Minneapolis Saint Paul She executive produced Valentina and The Perfect David, and is developing The Meeting (2025)
Jesse Knight Programmer
Jesse Knight is the lead programmer for Palm Springs International ShortFest, and over the past decade has lent his curatorial expertise to AFI Fest, SFFILM, Seattle International Film Festival, Olympia Film Society, Sundance Institute, and beyond
Lili Rodriguez, Artistic Director
Rhea Woodson, Managing Director
Alexander Paz, Operations Manager
Felicia Alford, Accountant & HR Manager
Jose Padilla, Accounting Assistant
Judith Beltran, Office Coordinator
Debbie Ray-Scanlon, Volunteer Manager
Jim Gazan, Assistant Volunteer Manager
Jennifer Van Camp, Programming & Education Manager
David Ansen, Lead Programmer
Therese Hayes, Senior Programmer
Jesse Knight, Programmer
Alissa Simon, Lead Programmer
Hebe Tabachnik, Programmer
Stephanie Pineda, Programming Coordinator
Phil Segal, Programming Assistant
Sammy Merabet, Programming Intern
Hilary Gil, Programming Intern
Daniel Crooke, Retreats Producer
Kelly Rogers Ph.D., Business Development & Sponsorship Manager
Anne Blalock, Philanthropy Relations Manager
Jose Padilla, Administrative Assistant
Vanessa Reyes, Development Intern
Alana Maiello, Marketing Manager
Allie Dinielli, Marketing Assistant
Cindy Chavez, Marketing Intern
Madeline Reardon, Marketing Intern
Cameron Scherer, Marketing Intern
Martin Foster, Creative Services
Martin Foster, Designer
Joel Hoglund & Martin Foster, Publications Coordinators
Jesse Knight, Publications Editor
Poster Art by LAssociates
Aaron Ridenour, Technical Director
Zack Solomon, Theater Operations Manager
Angelina Quirante, Theater Operations Assistant Manager
Rebecca Montalvo, Special Events Manager
Dana Kapella, Special Events Intern
Clayton Martin, Print Traffic Manager
Jesse Dubus, Print Traffic Coordinator
Chad Gneiting, Production Manager
Caroline Harbour, Box Office Co-Manager
Casey Knight, Box Office Co-Manager
Debbie Wright, Concierge Manager
Susan Nathan, Concierge Assistant
Sally Suchil, Credentials Manager
Christina Sasse, Director of Operations & Producer
Scarlett Wilmsen, Manager
Jessica Jazayeri, Associate Director
Ron Sylvester, Show Director
Daniel Kleba, Production Manager
Andrew Schaff, Front of House Manager
Jessica Hendershot, Transportation Manager
Brian Bell, Transportation Coordinator
Jarelle Balanzat, Seating Coordinator
Diane Chenowith, Executive Assistant
Joel Hoglund, Program Writer
Martin Foster, Designer
Scenario Communications: Steven Wilson, Co-Founder/President
Lauren Peteroy Kelly, Vice-President
Kylie Elliot, Senior Account Executive
Austin Good, Account Executive
Chris Feil, Jesse Knight, Linton Melita, Phil Segal
Clay Pruitt, Guest Relations Manager
Jack Heggi, Guest Relations Coordinator
Jorge Molina, Guest Relations Coordinator
Ian Stewart, Ground Transportation Manager
Mackenzie Wardlow, Guest Relations Assistant/ Hotel Coordinator
Emily Alvarez, Holly Copeland, Margo Handelsman, Laura Hein, Suzanne Hogsett, Gilbert Khoury, Donna Lawton, Joan Matthias, Craig Parish, Mike Simonyi, Barbara Sisto, Phil Segal, Dominique Wulfekuhle
“We believe the arts are essential to building stronger connections in our community. Cinema as an art form has the power to inspire tolerance, enlighten audiences and bridge cultural distances. Since 2009, we have proudly supported the Palm Springs International Film Festival. We applaud its work to educate, entertain, initiate cultural dialogue, and celebrate cinematic excellence.”
–Leslie and Dale Chihuly
Sculptor John Kennedy (1931 – 2004) is renowned by art lovers and collectors for his graceful bronze figures, which adorn parks, campuses and public buildings around the world Two of his most famous sculptures are Spirit ofAudrey, dedicated to Audrey Hepburn and located at the UNICEF Headquarters in New York City, and The Entertainer, the official award statuette of the Palm Springs International Film Festival
Inspired by a magazine article about court jesters, Kennedy created a life-size sculpture of a ball-juggling jester titled The Entertainer standing 7 feet 3 inches in 1995 In 1997, the Palm Springs International Film Festival began presenting festival winners with a scaled-down version of the life-size, and it has been the official award ever since For more information on John Kennedy’s sculpture, please visit CODA Gallery, codagallery.com
2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival honorees each receive a Gilded Emerald Piccolo Venetian with Sunburst Coils created by Dale Chihuly. Inspired by Italian glassmaking and the vessel form, Chihuly began the Venetian series in 1988.
“I often think that had I not been a sculptor or an artist that I might have liked being a film director.” –Chihuly
Chihuly is an American artist noted for revolutionizing the studio glass movement and elevating perceptions of the glass medium. Known for ambitious architectural installations in cities, museums, and gardens around the world, Chihuly is also a lifelong cinema enthusiast, whose favorite films include “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Rear Window,” “The Graduate,” and “Lust for Life.”
To learn more about Chihuly and his artwork, please visit chihuly.com
facebook.com/chihuly @chihuly-studio @ChihulyStudio
Selected by a special jury of international critics, the prestigious FIPRESCI Prize will be presented to one of the official Academy Award® submissions for Best International Feature Film In addition, the jury will award prizes for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay from the Awards Buzz category
New Voices New Visions focuses on films that our programmers feel represent the most distinctive new directors to have emerged in the last year Each of the films in competition represents the filmmaker’s debut or second feature
The Documentary Award will be presented to the film that best opens our eyes to the world around us and the people that inhabit it
Presented to the best Ibero-American film screening at the Festival This award aims to highlight the tremendous creativity we see in modern Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American films
The Young Cineastes jury is composed of local 14–17-year-old students interested in cinema and the arts
The statue draws inspiration from three iconic elements that capture the essence of Coachella Valley’s beauty: the date palm, the mountains, and the sunset Each sculpture is meticulously crafted from bronze sheet metal, featuring subtle variations in detail that make every piece truly one of a kind� Branstetter aimed to celebrate the individuality and creativity of each recipient, providing them with a unique and enduring memory of their experience in Palm Springs
Artist Biography: John Branstetter received his BFA in studio art with an emphasis in metal sculpture and left the midwest for California After some time in northern California working for other artists and perfecting his cart, Branstetter met Bill Cole, the man behind the concept of having a bronze casting program at College of the Desert, called the California Sculpture Center
Awarded by the Local Jury to a film that, in the spirit of neighborliness, promotes understanding and acceptance among people
Audiences play an important role in the life of a film Filmmakers create their movies with an audience in mind and, in this day and age, content is being driven more and more by audiences themselves, rather than the critics and industry executives It is only natural that audience awards from festivals play a major role in the marketing and distribution of a film� PSIFF is proud to recognize two special films with the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature
At a time when physical, religious, racial, cultural, and economic borders divide the population of our planet, efforts to bridge those borders are more important than ever In that spirit, Cinema Without Borders presents the Bridging the Borders Award to a film that is most successful in bringing the people of our world closer together The winner of the 2025 Bridging the Borders Award, presented by Cinema Without Borders, is awarded $2,000 Prize provided by 360 MEDIA
Thank you and congratulations!
Your brilliant and enthusiastic leadership has had an invaluable impact on the success of the Film Awards, annual festivals, member programs and our city.
With much appreciation,
Mary Hart’s extraordinary and unprecedented run as co-host of EntertainmentTonight for 30 years made her as recognizable as many of the big stars she has interviewed. Today, media historians give credit to Hart for her role not only in building the show into a powerhouse, but for also helping to pioneer the genre as a whole.
Hart earned the trust not only of the audience at home but the celebrities she interviewed as well. Personalities would tell her, “Now, I have arrived: Mary Hart has interviewed me.” Her list of subjects includes nearly every major film, television and music star: figures such as George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, the surviving Beatles members, Michael Jackson, Lady Diana and two presidents named Bush and Obama.
Hart was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 1999 and has been honored by numerous organizations including the American Women in Radio and Television and the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation. She is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest serving entertainment news host. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and is an ambassador for Childhelp USA, an organization that combats child abuse across America. She is also on the Board of Trustees for the Museum of Tolerance, Simon Wiesenthal Center as well as The Israel Project based in Washington, D.C.
Hart and her husband, businessman Burt Sugarman, live in Los Angeles and have a son, A.J.
Emilia Pérez
Vanguard Award
Director Jacques Audiard. Cast includes: Karla Sofia Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Edgar Ramírez Netflix
Toast the year’s top talents at the Palm Springs International Film Society's star-studded annual Film Awards celebration
Colman Domingo Spotlight Award Sing Sing A24
Mikey Madison Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress Anora Neon
Adrien Brody Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor The Brutalist A24
Conclave
Ensemble Performance Award
Cast includes: Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Lucian Msamati Focus Features
Awards season kicks off with a bang at another star-studded Palm Springs International Film Awards, Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Join us as Hollywood’s A-list descends on the desert to honor the year’s most buzzedabout films and unforgettable performances. With the support of presenting sponsors Silvercrest, IHG Hotel & Resorts, ARCO, title sponsor the City of Palm Springs, host Mary Hart and Entertainment Tonight, and our audience of avid film lovers, the event marks the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Palm Springs International Film Society.
This year’s honorees include veteran performers in revelatory new roles, a legendary director, and ascendant stars in electrifying breakthroughs.
Best known for her remarkably lived-in role in FX’s critically acclaimed series Better Things, Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress winner Mikey Madison bursts onto the big screen as the radiant heart of Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winner Anora. Turning in scene-stealing performances since the age of 8, Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor honoree Kieran Culkin emerges from his Emmy-winning work in HBO’s Succession with a performance that cements him as a film actor of the highest caliber in Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain.
This year’s Desert Palm Achievement Award winners are both veteran Academy Award® winners earning fresh Oscar buzz for delivering spellbinding dramatic performances that remind you why they’ve been on Hollywood’s A-list for decades. Radiant Angelina Jolie transforms herself and takes her talents to a whole new level with her embodiment of Greek opera diva Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s Maria. Academy Award winner Adrien Brody brings new emotional depth and fascinating dimension to the classic tale of a post-WWII immigrant in search of the American dream in Brady Corbet’s epic The Brutalist.
Lock a troupe of consummate actors with hundreds of beloved credits between them in a gilded room and ratchet up the tension as they must pick the next pope – the result is a marvel of immersive performances, a riveting master class in acting by Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, and Lucian Msamati, the Ensemble Performance Award honorees for Edward Berger’s Conclave
In the bravest, most boundary-pushing performance of her illustrious career, Oscar® winner and International Star Award honoree Nicole Kidman plays a married CEO entangled in an intense affair with her younger intern in Halina Reijn’s Babygirl Colman Domingo keeps upping his game, earning his second Spotlight Award for his stirring, superbly authentic portrayal –among a cast of non-professional former convicts – of the leader of a prison theater ensemble in Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing.
She may already be a Grammy Award-winning pop icon, but Rising Star Award honoree Ariana Grande is on the rise as a bona fide movie star, earning raves for John M. Chu’s box office smash Wicked. Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve brings a new level of artistry to the blockbuster, earning the Visionary Award for his thrilling return to the world of Dune: Part Two.
Like nothing you’ve ever seen before, Emilia Pérez is an audacious, genre-bending Spanish-language musical-crimethriller-comedy that unfolds like a riveting fever dream thanks to the alchemical combo of director Jacques Audiard and cast members Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Karla Sofia Gascón, and Edgar Ramírez, who share the Vanguard Award.
Dune:
Durga Chew-Bose Bonjour Tristesse
Coralie Fargeat The Substance
David Fortune Color Book
Drew Hancock Companion
Zoe Kravitz Blink Twice
Tom Nesher Come Closer
Halina Reijn Babygirl
James Sweeney Twinless
Magnus von Horn The Girl With the Needle
Malcolm Washington The Piano Lesson
Variety’s 10 to Watch series spotlights emerging writers, actors, producers, directors, comics and cinematographers. Each of these lists is curated by a team of Variety editors, critics and reporters. The directors selected for this year’s list will be honored in person at a brunch event on Saturday, January 4, at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the 14 th year that the celebration has been held in Palm Springs. Past 10 Directors include Wes Anderson, Alfonso Cuarón, Olivia Wilde, and Bradley Cooper.
It’s an honor to support the Palm Springs International Film Festival!
to all of this year’s entries!
USA, 2024, 134 minutes
Director: Michael Gracey
Cast: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman
Genres: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Musical
With electrifying visuals and a novel storytelling approach, this audacious musical biopic chronicles British pop star Robbie Williams’ wild journey from boy-band heartthrob to solo icon. Director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) fuses wit and emotion, spotlighting Williams’ triumphs, struggles, and ultimate resurgence in unforgettable style.
Thursday, January 2 • 6:30 pm • Palm Springs High School
UNITED KINGDOM/SPAIN, 2024, 110 minutes
Director: Peter Cattaneo
Cast: Steve Coogan, Jonathan Pryce, Vivian El Jaber, Björn Gustafsson, Alfonsina Carrocio, David Herrero
Genres: Drama, Comedy, Period, Animals, Social Issues
A deliciously wry Steve Coogan teams up with the director of The Full Monty in this irresistible dramedy about a disaffected English schoolteacher in militaristic Argentina, whose life – and those of his spoiled pupils – is transformed when he rescues and adopts an adorable penguin.
Sunday, January 12 • 6:30 pm • Palm Springs High School
USA/CANADA, 2023, 99 minutes
Director: Roshan Sethi
Cast: Karan Soni, Jonathan Groff, Sunita Mani, Zarna Garg, Harish Patel, Peter S. Kim
Genres: Comedy, Gay, Family Relations, LGBTQ
In this hilarious rom-com, Naveen (Karan Soni) introduces his white fiancé Jay (Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff) to his conservative Indian parents, who must reconcile their traditional values with their son’s love while planning the perfect traditional Indian wedding to honor two gay men.
Friday, January 3 • 6:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
Monday, January 6 • 5:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 8:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 7:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Sunday, January 12 • 1:15 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 96 minutes
Director: Deborah Craig, Jörg Fockele, Ondine Rarey
Cast: Sally Gearhart, Jewelle Gomez, Cleve Jones, Cherríe Moraga
Genres: Documentary, LGBTQ, Politics, Social Issues, Women, Lesbian
Texas-born Sally Gearhart was a fiery, charismatic lesbian feminist, teacher, and fantasy writer. She fought alongside Harvey Milk, founded a radical, free-loving women’s commune in Northern California, and comes to vibrant life in this funny, revelatory celebration of her high-octane life.
Saturday, January 11 • 4:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Sunday, January 12 • 9:30 am • Festival Theaters
MONDAY, JANUARY 6
Movie inspiration: TRIFOLE
Event location: Lulu California Bistro
Event address: 200 South Palm Canyon Drive
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
$100
Take a tour through Italy! Indulge in a delicious Italian menu influenced by the cinematic brilliance of Trifole. With hints of truffle throughout, the meal becomes not just a dinner, but a celebration of both fine cuisine and the art of film. There’s always a party at Lulu!
Screening times (Sold seperately):
Thursday, January 9 • 7:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 4:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 1:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8
Movie inspiration: SHELF LIFE
Event location: Eight4Nine Restaurant
Event address: 849 North Palm Canyon Drive
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
$100
Indulge in a culinary journey where cheese takes center stage in every course. The EIGHT4NINE culinary team has created a menu that celebrates the versatility and artistry of cheese in every dish.
Screening times (Sold seperately):
Saturday, January 4 • 10:45 am • Palm Canyon Theater
Monday, January 6 • 8:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 1:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 12:45 pm • Festival Theaters
MONDAY, JANUARY 10
Movie inspiration:
Event location: TRIO Palm Springs
Event address: 707 North Palm Canyon Drive
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
$100
This dinner at Trio celebrates Rioja’s rich wine heritage, blending tradition with innovation. Each course is designed to evoke the region’s flavors. Executive Chef Gladis Lizarraga will highlight the interplay between time-honored practices and modern creativity, much like the Spanish wine industry.
Screening times (Sold seperately):
Friday, January 3 • 3:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 1:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theatre
Friday, January 10 • 5:15 pm • Festival Theaters
11:30 AM
LATVIA, 2024, 84 minutes
Director: Gints Zibalodis
Genres: Animation, Environment, Nature, Family Friendly, Oscar Entry
No Dialogue
After a flood destroys their homes, a courageous, resilient cat finds itself on a boat with various species in this profound animated meditation on the fragility of the environment and the importance of friendship and community.
2:30 PM
USA, 2024, 90 minutes
Director: Pete Browngardt
Cast: Eric Bauza, Candi Milo, Peter MacNicol
Genres: Animation, Family Friendly
In the first-ever fully animated feature-length ‘Looney Tunes’ movie created for a cinema audience, Porky Pig and Daffy Duck become Earth’s only hope when mind-controlling aliens attack!
5:30 PM THE MOUNTAIN
NEW ZEALAND, 2024, 89 minutes
Director: Rachel House
Cast: Elizabeth Atkinson, Reuben Francis, Terence Daniel
Genres: Coming of Age, Family Friendly, Indigenous In English and Te Reo Māori
Led by the courageous Sam, a trio of enthusiastic young misfits embark on the quest of a lifetime to scale the majestic Mt. Taranaki and unlock its fabled healing powers. Along the way, the brave ragtag crew discovers profound truths about friendship, cultural heritage, and the thrill of adventure.
DESIGNED TO MAKE THIS A MEMORABLE DAY FOR ALL AGES. SUNDAY,
ACTIVITIES 12 PM - 4 PM CATHEDRAL CITY TOWN SQUARE
FILMS, FACE-PAINTING, FOOD, GAMES, AND MORE ACTIVITIES
FRANCE, 2024, 132 minutes
ITALY/GERMANY/CHILE/USA, 2024, 123 minutes
Director: Pablo Larraín
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Directed by Pablo Larraín and starring Academy Award®winner Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas, Maria reimagines the legendary diva in her final days as she reckons with her identity and life.
Friday, January 3 • 11:00 am • Annenberg Theater
IN CONVERSATION WITH: Actress, Angelina Jolie
Director: Jacques Audiard
Cast: Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Edgar Ramírez, Mark Ivanir
Fearsome cartel leader Emilia hires Rita, an unappreciated lawyer, to help fake her death so that Emilia can live authentically as her true self in Jacques Audiard’s audacious musical crime drama featuring original songs and choreography.
Saturday, January 4 • 11:00 am • Annenberg Theater
IN CONVERSATION WITH:
Director Jacques Audiard and actors Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Edgar Ramírez
Presented by Women In Motion, a Kering program to shine a light on women in arts and culture.
USA, 2024, 105 minutes
Director: Greg Kwedar
Cast: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Sean San José, Paul Raci
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 wary newcomer (Clarence Maclin), in this stirring true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art, starring an unforgettable ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors.
Friday, January 3 • 10:00 am • Camelot Theatres
IN CONVERSATION WITH:
Actor, Colman Domingo
USA, 2024, 114 minutes
Director: Halina Reijn
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde
A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.
Friday, January 3 • 10:30 am • Palm Springs High School
IN CONVERSATION WITH:
Actor, Nicole Kidman
USA, 2024, 160 minutes
Director: John M. Chu
Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage
The untold story of the witches of Oz. Elphaba, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, and Glinda, gilded by privilege and ambition, meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship.
Saturday, January 4 • 1:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
An extended introduction with director John M. Chu and actors, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
UNITED KINGDOM/USA, 2024, 120 minutes
Director: Edward Berger
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, Isabella Rossellini
Following the death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with overseeing the election of a new one. As the Catholic Church’s most powerful men gather on his watch, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets that could shake the foundations of the Church.
Saturday, January 4 • 10:00 am • Camelot Theatres
IN CONVERSATION WITH:
Director Edward Berger
USA, 2024, 140 minutes
Director: RaMell Ross
Cast: Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead and inspired by real-life events, Nickel Boys chronicles the powerful friendship between two Black teenagers who become wards of a juvenile reformatory in Florida.
Friday, January 10 • 1:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
IN CONVERSATION WITH:
Director RaMell Ross
USA/ITALY, 2024, 135 minutes
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Cast: Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman
Daniel Craig delivers a career-high performance in director Luca Guadagnino’s daring adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ sex- and drug-addled novel, a love story in which the writer falls hard for a young American expat and seeks mind-expanding transcendence in the Mexican jungle.
Monday, January 6 • 6:00 pm • Annenberg Theater
ITALY/ISRAEL, 2024, 108 minutes
Director: Eran Riklis
Cast: Golshifteh Farahani, Zar Amir, Mina Kavan
In this gripping adaptation of Azar Nafisi’s memoir, a fearless professor secretly gathers seven of her most dedicated female students to discuss forbidden Western classics after fundamentalists seize control of their country. Their solidarity helps them navigate life-altering choices in a repressive society. Winner of the Audience Award and Special Jury Prize to the cast of women at the 2024 Rome Film Festival.
Saturday, January 4 • 4:15 pm • Annenberg Theater IN CONVERSATION WITH: IN CONVERSATION WITH:
Screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes
Director Eran Riklis, author Azar Naifisi, and screenwriter Marjorie David
USA, 2024, 85 minutes
Director: Gia Coppola
Cast: Pamela Anderson, Dave Bautista, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song, Billie Lourd, Jason Schwartzman
Genres: Drama
Directed by Gia Coppola, The Last Showgirl is a poignant film of resilience, rhinestones, and feathers, starring Pamela Anderson as Shelly, a glamorous showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.
Tuesday, January 7 • 8:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 8:00 pm • Festival Theaters
GERMANY, 2024, 91 minutes
Director: Tim Fehlbaum
Cast: Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, Leonie Benesch
Genres: Drama, Journalism
Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows an American sports broadcasting team that quickly adapted from sports reporting to live coverage of a hostage situation. This decisive moment changed media coverage forever and continues to impact live news today.
Monday, January 6 • 1:00 pm • Camelot Theatres Sunday, January 12 • 1:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
USA, 2024, 123 minutes
Director: William Goldenberg
Cast: Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Don Cheadle
Genres: Biography, Coming of Age, Sports
Based on the inspiring true story, Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) was born with one leg, but his indomitable spirit and unbreakable resolve empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dream of becoming a champion wrestler.
Sunday, January 5 • 10:00 am • Annenberg Theater
Friday, January 10 • 1:15 pm • Annenberg Theater
Responsibly.
USA, 2024, 106 minutes
Director: Matthew Miele
With: Bob Mackie, Cher, Carol Burnett, RuPaul Charles, Mitzi Gaynor, Tom Ford, Vicki Lawrence, P!nk, Miley Cyrus, Gregg Barnes, Bernadette Peters
Genres: Documentary, Fashion, Biography, LGBTQ, Theater, Film-related, Gay
A celebration of the six-decade career of legendary costume designer Bob Mackie, whose iconic, over-the-top creations have crowned him the king of Hollywood's red carpet. A glittering cavalcade of Mackie's celebrity clients including Cher, Carol Burnett, P!nk, and Tom Ford offers an inside look at his dazzling legacy.
Saturday, January 11 • 12:45 pm • Camelot Theatres
Take a chance on this special Secret Screening and add the element of surprise to your day. There’ll be no press, no posts, and no peeking behind the curtain even after the credits roll. Get ready to take a leap into the unknown – trust us, it’s worth it. So, are you ready for the magic of a movie no one’s talking about... yet?
Friday, January 10 • 3:30 pm • Palm Springs High School
USA, 2024, 83 minutes
Director: Jules Rosskam
Cast: Theo Germaine, Aden Hakimi, Em Modaff
Genres: Documentary, Experimental, LGBTQ, History, Erotic/Sex, Transgender
After decades of concealing his trans identity, Ahmad, a 60-something Iranian expat, delves into the LGBTQ+ archives to explore his sexuality. With guidance from Kieran, a nonbinary archivist, he reimagines his life as an out trans man in this dreamy, sensual exploration of transmasculine desire.
Friday, January 3 • 10:30 am • Palm Canyon Theater
Tuesday, January 7 • 2:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 6:15 pm • Festival Theaters
INDIA, 2024, 123 minutes
Director: Faraz Arif Ansari
Cast: Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, Abhay Deol, Nushrratt Bharuccha
Genres: Coming of Age, Gay, Family Relations, LGBTQ
Sanu is a child learning to navigate the challenges of identity and belonging as he struggles to fit into society’s norms and build a loving relationship with his father. Meanwhile, his grandmother, harboring secrets of her own, teaches him to embrace his uniqueness.
Sunday, January 5 • 2:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 10:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 4:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 10:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
CANADA, 2024, 103 minutes
Director: Michael Clowater
Cast: Alan Cumming, Charlie Creed-Miles, Clare Coulter, Sprague Grayden
Genres: Drama, LGBTQ, Period, Comedy, Gay, Road Movie
Inspired by a true story, this 1970s-set dramedy follows a gruff New Brunswick plumber (Charlie Creed-Miles) as he reluctantly drives to Toronto to bail his estranged, gay brother (Alan Cumming) out of jail. Forced together, the brothers face their differences on an unforgettable journey home.
Saturday, January 4 • 11:15 am • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 4:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 10:00 am • Annenberg Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 4:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
IRELAND/UNITED KINGDOM, 2024, 89 minutes
Director: Darren Thornton
Cast: James McArdle, Fionnula Flanagan, Dearbhla Molloy, Paddy Glynn
Genres: Comedy, Aging/Seniors, Literature, Gay, Family Relations, LGBTQ
Winner of the Audience Award at the 2024 London Film Festival, this Irish twist on Mid-August Lunch (PSIFF 2009) follows a shy, commitment-phobic gay novelist living with his elderly mother. When his friends take off for Pride weekend, he finds himself caring for four eccentric, combative and wildly different women.
Saturday, January 4 • 4:45 pm • Palm Springs High School
Sunday, January 5 • 8:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Saturday, January 11 • 5:15 pm • Palm Springs High School
USA, 2024, 85 minutes
Director: Kimberly Reed
Genres: Documentary, LGBTQ, Crime, Film-related, Transgender
Venus Xtravaganza, the 23-year-old star of the iconic voguing documentary Paris Is Burning, was murdered before its release. Now, in this moving celebration of her life and legacy, her three New Jersey brothers team up with her ballroom family to reopen the unsolved case.
Wednesday, January 8 • 4:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 7:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
USA, 2024, 91 minutes
Director: Brian J. Smith
Cast: Scott Bromley, Iman Le Caire, Eric Sawyer, Stevie Williams, Nick Ammaturo, Rich Margolius
Genres: Documentary, LGBTQ, Environment, Gay
Fire Island Pines is often described as a gay paradise. This wide-ranging, seductive documentary offers a probing look at the men who live, work, and party there, examining its storied past, hedonistic flair, ecologically imperiled future, and the clash between different generations of gay men.
Friday, January 3 • 6:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 2:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 11:00 am • Camelot Theatres
FRANCE/SPAIN/PORTUGAL, 2024, 102 minutes
Director: Alain Guiraudie
Cast: Félix Kysyl, Catherine Frot, Jacques Develay, Jean-Baptiste Durand, David Ayala
Genres: Drama, Black Comedy, LGBTQ, Crime, Religion/Spirituality
The director of Stranger by the Lake concocts a sly brew of sex, religion, and murder in a provincial French village where the return of a polyamorous former local sets off a macabre chain of erotic events as unpredictable as it is perversely funny.
Friday, January 3 • 7:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 11:00 am • Camelot Theatres
Wednesday, January 8 • 2:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Thursday, January 9 • 8:00 pm • Festival Theaters
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This year’s Country Focus brings us to Spain, or, rather, brings Spain to us via a selection of exciting contemporary works and a trio of classics from Pedro Almodóvar. What follows is an all-toobrief glance at Spain’s significant cinematic history, which will hopefully whet your appetite to learn more.
Cinema arrived in Spain early, with a traveling exhibit of Lumière films screening in Madrid in 1896, quickly followed by Lumière employees and Spaniards picking up (or, in the case of the pioneering Fructuós Gelabert, inventing) motion picture cameras to document the sights and the bullfights (one of the earliest subjects, natch, and highly popular material for export). Unfortunately, very few films made before 1931, when sound arrived, have survived (Bernard P.E. Bentley’s A Companion to Spanish Cinema quotes a scholar who puts the number at 35 fully intact films from the years 1897–1931).
In the ’30s, Spain’s most famous filmmaker, Luis Buñuel, shared his caustic vision as civil unrest lead into the Spanish Civil War, the rise of the Franco regime, and the exit of Buñuel from the Spanish scene; after the collapse of Franco’s allies in the Axis during WWII, Spanish film production was fairly cut off from the world, until skillful, often slyly dissident filmmakers such as Luis García Berlanga and Juan Antonio Bardem began to score prizes on the festival circuit in the ’50s. There was a further loosening of restrictions in the ’60s, an era that saw the rise of Carlos Saura, Mario Camus, and the brief return of Buñuel, for the first time since the pre-Franco '30s, until Spanish and Catholic authorities got a look at 1961’s Viridiana; it wouldn’t be until 1970’s Tristana that there would be another Spanish Buñuel film
As Spain made a democratic transition in the ’70s and ’80s, and the censors lost their power, a new wave of film flourished: the punky provocations of early Almodóvar, leading exponent, alongside Fernando Trueba (with the emblematic Ópera Prima in 1980) and Fernando Colomo, of “La Movida Matrileña,” a key cultural turning point as Spain moved away from Francoist society; the outrageous eroticism of Bigas Luna, which opened the door for Basque Cinema and filmmakers Alexde la Iglesia, Juanma Bajo Ulloa, and Julio Medem; Mario Camus truly coming into his own with sober re-evaluations of the Civil War and its aftermath; and the rise of women directors such as Icíar Bollaín and Isabel Coixet.
The ’90s and 2000s saw a maturing Almodóvar break through internationally, picking up Academy Awards® for All About My Mother and Talk to Her, and stars such as Penélope Cruz, Antonio Banderas, and Javier Bardem crossing over to Hollywood, in addition to global horror hits such as The Others and The Orphanage. In the 2010s, a new generation of talent— Carla Simon, Belén Funes, Lucia Alemany, among others— emerged, bringing a profound diversity of genres, locations, and regional languages (Galician, Catalan, Aranese, to cite some examples) to the screen.
While this survey has primarily limited itself to narrative directors, this is only a small part of what Spain brings to the table cinematically, as composers like Alberto Iglesias, legendary screenwriters such as Raphael Azcona, animators, effects artists, documentary filmmakers, and more demonstrating that we’ve barely scratched the surface of the country’s creative resources and history. And, as this year’s selection of Spanish films demonstrates, the country’s industry continues to produce high-quality work with international appeal.
Further Reading:
A Companion to Spanish Cinema by Bernard P.E. Bentley*
Behind the Spanish Lens: Spanish Cinema Under Fascism and Democracy by Peter Besas*
Great Spanish Films Since 1950 by Ronald Schwartz*
Spanish Cinema by Rob Stone
This Loving Darkness: The Cinema and Spanish Writers, 19201936 by C. B. Morris*
Guide to the Cinema of Spain by Marvin D’Lugo *Free to borrow from the Internet Archive
Further viewing:
Land Without Bread (Luis Buñuel, 1933)
Welcome Mr. Marshall! (Luis Garcia Berlanga, 1953)
Death of a Cyclist (Juan Antonio Bardem, 1955)
The Hunt (Carlos Saura, 1966)
The Spirit of the Beehive (Victor Erice, 1973)
Arrebato (Ivan Zulueta, 1979)
The Cuenca Crime (Pilar Miró, 1980)
The Holy Innocents (Mario Camus, 1984)
Jamón Jamón (Bigas Luna, 1992)
Belle époque (Fernando Trueba, 1992)
Take My Eyes (Iciar Bollain, 2003)
My Life Without Me (Isabel Coixet, 2003)
Other notable directors:
Benito Perojo, Florián Rey, Vicente Aranda, Pilar Miró, Julio Medem, Alejandro Amenábar, José Luis Borau, Eloy de la Iglesia, Albert Serra, Carlos Marques-Marcet, David y Jonás Trueba, Carlos Vermut, Fernando León de Aranoa, Cesc Gay, Pilar Palomero, Pablo Berger, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, Arantxa Echevarria, Óliver Laxe, Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Alberto Rodriguez, among many others who have been featured and often had their U.S. premiere at PSIFF.
SPAIN, 1999, 101 minutes
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Cast: Cecilia Roth, Marisa Paredes, Candela Peña, Antonia San Juan, Penélope Cruz
Genres: Drama, Comedy, Women, Relationships, LGBTQ
Pedro Almodóvar’s vibrant Oscar®-winning melodrama follows nurse Manuela (Cecilia Roth) in the aftermath of her teenage son’s tragic loss. While searching for the boy’s long-lost father in Barcelona, she forms a surrogate family that includes a pregnant nun (Penélope Cruz), a celebrated stage star (Marisa Paredes) and a transgender sex worker (Antonia San Juan).
Wednesday, January 8 • 5:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
SPAIN, 2024, 107 minutes
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Cast: Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Alessandro Nivola
Genres: Drama, Women, Relationships, Health, Journalism
Adapting Sigrid Nunez’s novel What Are You Going Through, Pedro Almodóvar’s latest masterwork stars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton as two friends reunited when one falls ill. As they reflect on love, life, and art, one woman's request brings their relationship into uncharted emotional territory. Almodóvar's first Englishlanguage feature finds the incomparable filmmaker at his most compassionate and introspective.
Tuesday, January 7 • 12:45 pm • Camelot Theatres
SPAIN, 1986, 110 minutes
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Cast: Assumpta Serna, Antonio Banderas, Nacho Martínez
Genres: Thriller, Erotic/Sex, Drama, Romance, Crime
In one of Pedro Almodóvar’s earliest provocations, a former bullfighter (Nacho Martínez) and his pupil (Antonio Banderas) become entangled in a psychosexual game of perversion, false confessions, and murder. Notable for being one of the director’s earliest collaborations with Banderas, Matador remains a subversive, essential erotic thriller.
Monday, January 6 • 8:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
SPAIN, 2002, 112 minutes
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Cast: Javier Cámara, Darío Grandinetti, Leonor Watling, Geraldine Chaplin, Rosario Flores
Genres: Drama, Women, Relationships, Health, Romance
Two unusual love stories intertwine as a journalist and a male nurse bond over their unwavering devotion to comatose women. Blending subversive humor, outlandish set pieces, and profound emotional resonance, Pedro Almodóvar’s Oscar®-winning masterpiece is a breathtaking treatise on passion and obsession.
Friday, January 10 • 7:15 pm • Festival Theaters
SPAIN/FRANCE/PORTUGAL, 2024, 125 minutes
Director: Albert Serra
With: Andrés Roca Rey, Antonio Gutiérrez, Francisco Durán, Francisco Gómez, Manuel Lara
Genres: Documentary, Animals, Sports, Culture, Performance
Winner of the top prize at Spain’s San Sebastián Film Festival, Catalan provocateur Albert Serra’s documentary on youthful bullfighting sensation Andrés Roca Rey offers a hypnotic, unflinching, and intimate view of the controversial sport and the isolating nature of fame. Warning: contains depictions of animal harm.
Thursday, January 9 • 5:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 11:30 am • Festival Theaters
SPAIN/BELGIUM, 2024, 122 minutes
Director: Antonio Chavarrías
Cast: Daniela Brown, Blanca Romero, Berta Sánchez, Carlos Cuevas, Ernest Villegas, Oriol Genís, Joaquin Notario Genres: Period, Drama, Women, Religion/Spirituality, Politics
In the 9th century, a nun becomes an abbess tasked with repopulating and Christianizing the border territories in conflict with the Moors. Her determination to fulfill her mission compels her to confront her family, the nobility, and ultimately the mighty Church itself.
Friday, January 3 • 12:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 7:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 5:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 1:15 pm • Festival Theaters
SPAIN/CHILE, 2024, 110 minutes
Director: Belén Funes
Cast: Antonia Zegers, Elvira Lara
Genres: Women, Drama, Family Relations, Social Issues, Relationships
Still grieving her husband’s loss, a woman and her daughter receive an eviction notice to vacate their home in Barcelona, setting in motion a life-altering opportunity for them to rebuild by returning to their abandoned roots.
Thursday, January 9 • 6:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 2:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 3:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
SPAIN/ITALY, 2024, 112 minutes
Director: Icíar Bollaín
Cast: Mireia Oriol, Urko Olazabal
Genres: Women, Drama, Politics, Period, Biography
Based on a true story, this riveting drama follows council member Nevenka Fernández as she is relentlessly pursued by the town mayor, a man used to getting what he wants. Her decision to report him transforms her courageous fight into Spain’s first #MeToo case.
Thursday, January 9 • 4:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 7:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 10:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
SPAIN, 2024, 101 minutes
Director: Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño
Cast: Eduard Fernández, Nathalie Poza
Genres: Period, Drama, History, Politics, Biography
Enric Marco (Eduard Fernández) has spent years crafting a convincing lie: that he was a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. His charm and alleged bravery even earn him the presidency of the Spanish Association of Holocaust Victims. But one day, the truth catches up with him.
Thursday, January 9 • 4:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 12:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 2:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
SPAIN/FRANCE/ARGENTINA, 2024, 107 minutes
Director: Pedro Martín-Calero
Cast: Ester Expósito, Mathilde Ollivier, Malena Villa
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Women, Psychological, Mystery
Three women, separated by time and space, are unknowingly linked by an inexplicable threat. A sinister force is stalking them and provoking unthinkable acts of violence, all with one chilling connection: the haunting sound of a wailing.
Friday, January 3 • 7:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 8:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 7:00 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
SPAIN, 2023, 96 minutes
Director: José Luis López-Linares
Genres: Documentary, Culture, Nature, Family Relations, Technology
This sumptuous documentary invites viewers to savor the artistry of winemaking in La Rioja, showcasing stunning imagery and insights from winemakers, sommeliers, and award-winning enologists. Discover the rich variety of Spain’s most celebrated wines and the hidden secrets behind them.
Friday, January 3 • 3:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 1:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Friday, January 10 • 5:15 pm • Festival Theaters
ISRAEL, 2024, 107 minutes
Director: Tom Nesher
Cast: Lia Elalouf, Darya Rosenn, Netta Garti, Jacob Zada Daniel, Shlomi Shaban
Genres: Drama, Erotic/Sex, Jewish Interest, Family, Women, Oscar Entry
The feature debut from Tom Nesher (daughter of Avi Nesher, subject of the documentary His Own Way, also at the festival) is a fierce drama inspired by family tragedy. When her beloved brother dies, Eden (Lia Elalouf) takes desperate measures to fill the void. Winner of multiple awards, including the Viewpoints Award at Tribeca.
Friday, January 3 • 2:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 7:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 10:30 am • Festival Theaters
NORWAY, 2024, 117 minutes
Director: Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
Cast: Renate Reinsve, Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Endre Hellesvtveit
Genres: Drama, Family Relations, Psychological, Oscar Entry
Winner of the 2024 Cannes Best First Feature award, this complex yarn, directed by the grandson of Ingmar Bergman and Liv Ullmann, centers on the parents of two kindergartners and their fraught interactions with school authorities after 6-year-old Armand is accused of sexual abuse.
Monday, January 6 • 1:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 10:15 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 6:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
Friday, January 10 • 5:15 pm • Camelot Theatres
SENEGAL, 2024, 68 minutes
Director: Mati Diop
Genres: Black/African Diaspora, Documentary, Art/Design, History, Oscar Entry
In 2021, 26 looted treasures traveled from France to Benin, West Africa, where they are displayed in a high-tech museum. The latest from Mati Diop (Atlantics, PSIFF 2020) is a thought-provoking, multi-award-winning hybrid documentary that explores how the return of these pieces is received in a country that has reinvented itself in their absence.
Monday, January 6 • 4:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 2:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 10:00 am • Palm Canyon Theater
LITHUANIA, 2024, 88 minutes
Director: Laurynas Bareiša
Cast: Gelminė Glemžaitė, Agnė Kaktaitė, Paulius Markevičius, Giedrius Kiela
Genres: Drama, Family Relations, Oscar Entry
This subtle, powerful drama depicts a family tragedy through shifting perspectives and timelines. During what was meant to be a peaceful weekend in the countryside, two sisters on summer holiday with their families experience a life-altering event.
Friday, January 3 • 2:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 11:00 am • Camelot Theatres
Sunday, January 12 • 5:30 pm • Festival Theaters
MOROCCO, 2024, 102 minutes
Director: Nabil Ayouch
Cast: Nisrin Erradi, Joud Chamihy, Jalila Talemsi
Genres: Music, Women, Class/Economics, Drama, Social Issues, Oscar Entry
Inspired by the fierce female poets who came before her, small-town chanteuse Touda dreams of becoming a true Sheikha (a traditional Moroccan performer). Tired of performing in provincial bars under men’s lustful gazes, she sets her sights on Casablanca.
Friday, January 3 • 5:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 1:15 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 5:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
FRANCE, 2023, 132 minutes
Director: Jacques Audiard
Cast: Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Edgar Ramírez, Mark Ivanir
Genres: LGBTQ, Musical, Drama, Crime, Social Issues, Transgender, Oscar Entry
A lawyer (Zoe Saldaña) helps a notorious Mexican cartel boss undergo gender-affirming surgery and start anew as Emilia Pérez (Karla Sofía Gascón). Complications arise when Emilia attempts to reconnect with the wife (Selena Gomez) and children she left behind in this exhilarating, genre-defying musical.
Saturday, January 4 • 11:00 am • Annenberg Theater
Monday, January 6 • 7:15 pm • Camelot Theatres
Wednesday, January 8 • 7:30 pm • Palm Springs High School
LATVIA, 2024, 84 minutes
Director: Gints Zilbalodis
Genres: Animation, Environment, Nature, Family Friendly, Oscar Entry
After a flood destroys their homes, a courageous, resilient cat finds itself on a boat with various species in this profound animated meditation on the fragility of the environment and the importance of friendship and community.
Saturday, January 4 • 10:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Tuesday, January 7 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 12:00 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
Sunday, January 12 • 11:30 am • Mary Pickford Theater
PALESTINE, 2024, 115 minutes
Director: Various
Genres: Documentary, Politics, Oscar Entry
Featuring the collective work of 22 filmmakers, this omnibus offers a view of life in Gaza during the ongoing war with Israel. Showcasing unique perspectives – from nonfiction and narrative to animation and experimental forms – this collaborative effort yields an expansive and powerful result.
Sunday, January 5 • 3:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 10:30 am • Camelot Theatres
Wednesday, January 8 • 5:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 2:00 pm • Festival Theaters
PORTUGAL, 2024, 128 minutes
Director: Miguel Gomes
Cast: Gonçalo Waddington, Crista Alfaiate
Genres: Period, Arthouse, Relationships, Road Movie, Oscar Entry
On his wedding day in 1917, British civil servant Edward skedaddles in existential panic, leaving his fiancée, Molly, behind. As he roams the exotic locales of East Asia, Molly remains hot on his trail, determined to be married, in a playful and unpredictable pursuit across the continent.
Saturday, January 4 • 10:30 am • Camelot Theatres
Tuesday, January 7 • 1:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 12:15 pm • Festival Theaters
DENMARK, 2024, 115 minutes
Director: Magnus von Horn
Cast: Vic Carmen Sonne, Trine Dyrholm
Genres: Women, Social Issues, Drama, Crime, Period, Oscar Entry
Gritty realism meets bold expressionist design in this truecrime drama set in WWI-era Copenhagen, following a factory worker, fired after becoming pregnant by her boss, who finds succor with a woman running an underground adoption agency for unwanted babies.
Monday, January 6 • 4:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 5:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 8:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
THAILAND, 2024, 125 minutes
Director: Pat Boonnitipat
Cast: Putthipong Assaratanakul, Usha Seamkhum, Sanya Kunakorn
Genres: Comedy, Family Relations, Oscar Entry
A lazy college dropout quits his job to care for his grandmother, hoping to inherit her fortune. This deeply affecting portrait offers an honest look at a family grappling with clashing values and dynamics as they face the impending loss of their matriarch.
Friday, January 3 • 4:45 pm • Palm Springs High School
Tuesday, January 7 • 1:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 7:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 10:00 am • Palm Springs High School
SLOVAKIA, 2024, 129 minutes
Director: Iveta Grofova
Cast: Alexandra Borbély, Milan Ondrík, Nico Klimek, Alexander E. Fennon, Florentin Groll
Genres: Drama, Jewish Interest, Politics, History, Oscar Entry
Set in the nationalistic, Nazi-allied wartime Slovak state, this powerfully visual tale follows Marika, a widowed dressmaker from the Hungarian minority, who loses her job in Bratislava. Back in her late husband’s village home, she hides a young Jewish boy.
Sunday, January 5 • 5:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 11:15 am • Festival Theaters
BELGIUM, 2024, 97 minutes
Director: Leonardo Van Dijl
Cast: Tessa Van den Broeck, Ruth Becquart, Koen De Bouw, Claire Bodson, Laurent Caron
Genres: Sports, Social Issues, Youth/Teen, Drama, Oscar Entry
As the star player at an elite tennis club, high-schooler Julie’s life revolves around the game she loves. When her coach is suspended following an investigation, the players are urged to speak up. Julie, however, chooses to stay silent.
Saturday, January 4 • 11:15 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Tuesday, January 7 • 5:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 2:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 5:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
BRAZIL, 2024, 136 minutes
Director: Walter Salles
Cast: Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, Fernanda Montenegro
Genres: Period, Drama, History, Politics, Women, Oscar Entry
From director Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries, PSIFF 2005) comes his most personal and powerful film, telling the true story of a mother of five who reinvents herself as an activist after her family endures an unspeakable act of violence during Brazil’s dictatorship.
Monday, January 6 • 5:30 pm • Palm Springs High School
Saturday, January 11 • 1:30 pm • Palm Springs High School
ARGENTINA, 2024, 96 minutes
Director: Luis Ortega
Cast: Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Úrsula Corberó, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Mariana Di Girolamo, Daniel Fanego, Osmar Núñez, Luis Ziembrowski
Genres: Drama, Black Comedy, Oscar Entry, Transgender, Urban, LGBTQ
In this entertaining equestrian-themed psychological thriller-comedy, a legendary jockey on a downward spiral must compete for a powerful gangster. A catastrophic race brings life-altering, gender-bending, and romantic consequences for everyone involved.
Friday, January 3 • 11:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Tuesday, January 7 • 4:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Thursday, January 9 • 8:00 pm • Annenberg Theater
IRELAND, 2024, 105 minutes
Director: Rich Peppiatt
Cast: Naoise Ó Cairealláin, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Michael Fassbender
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Biography, Music, Oscar Entry
Based on a politically charged true story, two young Irish men join forces with a local teacher to form the hip-hop group Kneecap, sparking a movement around the Irish language. Featuring the real-life Kneecap members playing themselves, this riotous anthem crackles with ripped-from-the-headlines energy and rebellious spirit.
Monday, January 6 • 8:15 pm • Festival Theaters Sunday, January 12 • 7:00 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
COLOMBIA, 2023, 84 minutes
Director: Felipe Holguín Caro
Cast: Elizabeth Martinez, Antonio Jimenez, Pabla Flórez
Genres: Drama, Comedy, Black/African Diaspora, Social Issues, Oscar Entry
In a forgotten Colombian town, a teenage girl dreams of becoming a boxer. When she learns her uncle will be fighting for the world title on live television, she and her community do whatever it takes to watch the event and win their own existential battle against obscurity.
Sunday, January 5 • 10:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 2:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 6:30 pm • Festival Theaters
SWEDEN, 2024, 91 minutes
Director: Filip Hammar, Fredrik Wikingsson
With: Lars Hammar, Filip Hammar, Fredrik Wikingsson, Tiina Hammar
Genres: Documentary, Road Movie, Comedy, Drama, Aging/Seniors, Oscar Entry
In a heartfelt effort to rekindle his 80-year-old father’s zest for life, filmmaker Filip Hammar surprises him with a road trip to the French coastal town where they spent family holidays to revisit cherished memories in this touching and humorous first-person documentary. Audience Award, Newport Beach.
Saturday, January 4 • 4:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 11:30 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 1:45 pm • Camelot Theatres Friday, January 10 • 10:30 am • Festival Theaters
TURKEY, 2023, 193 minutes
Director: Zeki Demirkubuz
Cast: Miray Daner, Burak Dakak, Cem Davran, Umut Kurt, Melis Birkan
Genres: Drama, Social Issues, Women, Oscar Entry
Winner of Best Feature at Malta’s Mediteranne Film Festival, this epic tale of fate and human frailty unfolds in Istanbul after a forced engagement drives Hicran (Miray Daner) to flee her home. When her fiancé tracks her down, the confrontation forces them to face their true feelings and desires.
Monday, January 6 • 2:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 10:30 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 9:00 am • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 10:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
INDIA, 2023, 123 minutes
Director: Kiran Rao
Cast: Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Ravi Kishan
Genres: Comedy, Culture, Relationships, Oscar Entry
This delightful adventure follows two young brides from arranged marriages who are mistakenly swapped during a chaotic train ride, and find their lives flipped upside down when, upon arrival, they lift their veils, revealing that each husband is now with the wrong wife.
Sunday, January 5 • 1:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 10:15 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 4:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 4:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
COSTA RICA, 2024, 90 minutes
Director: Antonella Sudasassi Furniss
With: Sol Carballo, Paulina Bernini, Juliana Filloy
Genres: Drama, Comedy, Women, Oscar Entry
This intimate and lyrical exploration of the bodies of mature women and their sexuality follows three women in their twilight years, and invites everyone – regardless of gender, identity, or age – to question their own notions of pleasure and desire.
Saturday, January 4 • 3:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 11:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 3:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
CAMBODIA, 2024, 112 minutes
Director: Rithy Panh
Cast: Irène Jacob, Grégoire Colin, Cyril Gueï, Bunhok Lim, Somaline Mao
Genres: Drama, History, Oscar Entry
Eager to restore their image, the Khmer Rouge invite three French journalists to tour the Cambodian countryside and interview the regime’s leader, Pol Pot. The journalists, however, uncover the stark reality behind the propaganda, leading to a far more perilous journey than anticipated.
Thursday, January 9 • 4:15 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Friday, January 10 • 11:00 am • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 3:00 pm • Festival Theaters
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, 2024, 98 minutes
Director: Danis Tanović
Cast: Anja Matković, Uliks Fehmiu, Goran Navojec, Mario Knezović
Genres: Comedy, Relationships, Romance, History, Nature, Oscar Entry
In this entertaining and poignant dramedy, a feisty woman travels to a remote Croatian island seeking answers about her past. As her mission takes longer than expected, the charming locale, quirky locals, and an unexpected romance reshape her views about her identity and ambitions.
Friday, January 3 • 5:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 11:00 am • Camelot Theatres
Friday, January 10 • 10:30 am • Mary Pickford Theater
TAIWAN, 2023, 111 minutes
Director: Hsiao Ya-Chuan
Cast: Bai Run-Yin, Liu Kuan-Ting, Akio Chen
Genres: Coming of Age, Drama, Oscar Entry
In this thought-provoking drama, an affluent landlord nicknamed Old Fox teaches an 11-year-old boy the ways of wealth. But will these skills prevail over the values of kindness and generosity instilled by his economically struggling father?
Friday, January 3 • 6:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 2:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 10:00 am • Palm Canyon Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 4:00 pm • Festival Theaters
SPAIN, 2024, 105 minutes
Director: Isaki Lacuesta, Pol Rodríguez
Cast: Daniel Ibáñez, Cristalino, Stéphanie Magnin, Mafo, Chesco Ruiz
Genres: Biography, Music, Drama, Relationships, Oscar Entry
UNITED KINGDOM, 2024, 120 minutes
Director: Sandhya Suri
Cast: Shahana Goswami, Sunita Rajwar
Genres: Thriller, Class/Economics, Drama, Race/Ethnicity, Oscar Entry
After inheriting her late husband’s position as a police constable, Santosh (Shahana Goswami) is drawn into a highprofile case where police corruption makes justice elusive for the lower classes. Thankfully, she finds guidance from the magnetic feminist Inspector Sharma (Sunita Rajwar).
Friday, January 3 • 4:15 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Monday, January 6 • 11:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 8:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 4:45 pm • Festival Theaters
A rock band in the ‘90s navigates the narrow path between dazzling success and complete disaster, creating an album that defines a generation and forever changes Spain’s music scene. Inspired by one of Spain’s most popular bands, this unconventional biopic won multiple top awards at the 2024 Malaga Film Festival.
Sunday, January 5 • 7:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 12:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 7:15 pm • Festival Theaters
GERMANY, 2024, 168 minutes
Director: Mohammad Rasoulof
Cast: Soheila Golestani, Missagh Zareh, Setareh Maleki, Mahsa Rostami
Genres: Drama, Politics, Women, Social Issues, Oscar Entry
An investigating judge in Tehran’s Revolutionary Court grapples with mistrust and paranoia as nationwide political protests intensify – and then his gun mysteriously disappears. Suspecting his wife and daughters of involvement, he imposes drastic measures at home, causing tensions to rise.
Tuesday, January 7 • 7:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
NEPAL, 2024, 150 minutes
Director: Min Bahadur Bham
Cast: Thinley Lhamo, Sonam Topden
Genres: Drama, Culture, Relationships, Oscar Entry
In a stunningly beautiful polyandrous village, pregnant Pema faces harmful gossip when her main husband, Tashi, fails to return from a trading trip. Determined to set things right, she embarks on a journey with her other husband, the young monk Karma, to find him.
Friday, January 3 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 1:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
Sunday, January 12 • 8:15 pm • Camelot Theatres
ROMANIA, 2024, 105 minutes
Director: Emanuel Pârvu
Cast: Ciprian Chiujdea, Bogdan Dumitrache, Laura Vasiliu, Valeriu Andriu, Ingrid Micu-Berescu
Genres: Drama, Gay, Religion/Spirituality, Family Relations, Oscar Entry, LGBTQ
In a conservative village on the Danube Delta, a brutal attack on a closeted gay teen sparks a moral panic, exposing the hypocrisy and corruption lurking beneath this seemingly tranquil rural community. Winner of multiple awards, including the Queer Palm at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
Wednesday, January 8 • 6:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 10:15 am • Mary Pickford Theater
MEXICO, 2024, 126 minutes
Director: Astrid Rondero, Fernanda Valadez
Cast: Juan Jesus Varela, Yadira Perez, Sandra Lorenzano
Genres: Coming of Age, Drama, Latinx, Youth/Teen, Oscar Entry
Sujo’s childhood is marked by devastating events that test his morals. When he becomes a teenager, he faces a choice between repeating his family’s history or breaking free from an unwanted heritage. This hopeful tale explores alternative paths to violence – challenging, uncertain, and, possibly achievable.
Saturday, January 4 • 10:30 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Tuesday, January 7 • 3:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 8:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 1:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
ICELAND, 2024, 121 minutes
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Cast: Egill Olafsson, Kôki, Masahiro Motoki, Palmi Kormakur, Sigurdur Ingvarsson, Yoko Narahashi
Genres: Road Movie, Romance, Aging/Seniors, Oscar Entry
As COVID-19 shuts down international travel, an older widower, Kristoffer, embarks on a journey from Iceland to England and Japan to find Miko, the one who got away, in this achingly poignant romantic drama.
Friday, January 3 • 4:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
Tuesday, January 7 • 10:15 am • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 10:30 am • Camelot Theatres
HONG KONG, 2024, 126 minutes
Director: Soi Cheang
Cast: Louis Koo, Sammo Hung, Richie Jen, Raymond Lam, Terrance Lau Genres: Action/Adventure, Crime, Martial Arts, Thriller, Oscar Entry
The densely populated Kowloon Walled City becomes a battleground between ruthless crime boss Mr. Big and a fierce band of protectors led by the citadel’s formidable leader, Cyclone. Meanwhile, a young refugee is caught in the martial arts melee in this nerve-jangling action spectacular.
Saturday, January 4 • 5:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 5 • 5:45 pm • Camelot Theatres
Thursday, January 9 • 8:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 1:00 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
ITALY, 2024, 119 minutes
Director: Maura Delpero
Cast: Tommaso Ragno, Giuseppe De Domenico, Roberta Rovelli, Martina Scrinzi, Orietta Notari, Carlotta Gamba, Santiago Fondevila Sancet Genres: Drama, Family Relations, History, Women, Oscar Entry
The arrival of a young army deserter from the South during the final year of World War II sends ripples through a remote mountain community, profoundly impacting the extended family of a local school teacher in this intimate drama that garnered multiple awards at the 2024 Venice Film Festival.
Friday, January 3 • 8:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Monday, January 6 • 12:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 11:30 am • Mary Pickford Theater
CANADA, 2024, 89 minutes
Director: Matthew Rankin
Cast: Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi, Sobhan Javadi, Pirouz Nemati, Matthew Rankin
Genres: Comedy, Arthouse, Oscar Entry
In this whimsical ensemble comedy, two kids find a banknote frozen in ice, a tour guide leads baffled visitors, and a government drone returns home to uncover something amiss with his family, creating a mosaic of wintry Winnipeg that’s both comically surreal and profoundly human.
Sunday, January 5 • 5:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 5:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 1:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
CZECH REPUBLIC, 2024, 111 minutes
Director: Jiří Mádl
Cast: Vojtěch Vodochodský, Stanislav Majer, Táňa Pauhofová, Ondřej Stupka, Martin Hofmann, Tomáš Maštalír
Genres: Drama, History, Social Issues, Oscar Entry
Set in 1968, a pivotal moment in modern Czech history, this dynamic and suspenseful drama follows the international office at Czechoslovak Radio led by editor Milan Weiner, whose commitment to honest journalism and the truth puts the organization in the crosshairs of the secret police.
Friday, January 3 • 11:45 am • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 11:30 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 10:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
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UNITED KINGDOM/SPAIN, 2024, 97 minutes
Director: Mike Leigh
Cast: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, David Webber, Tuwaine Barrett
Genres: Black/African Diaspora, Drama, Family Relations, Women
Legendary British director Mike Leigh reunites with Oscar® nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Secrets & Lies) for an empathetic portrait of a dysfunctional family and its fierce matriarch, the prickly Pansy (Jean-Baptiste), who stands in stark contrast to her easygoing sister (Michele Austin).
Sunday, January 5 • 4:00 pm • Palm Springs High School
Tuesday, January 7 • 4:15 pm • Palm Springs High School
Friday, January 10 • 12:15 pm • Palm Springs High School
ESTONIA/FINLAND, 2025, 85 minutes
Director: Klaus Härö
Cast: Ville Virtanen, Kari Hietalahti, Rony Herman
Genres: Drama, Jewish Interest, History, Religion/Spirituality
This powerful film reveals a little-known chapter of history: the deportation of eight Austrian-Jewish refugees from Finland by the Gestapo during World War II. Abraham Stiller (Ville Virtanen), a pillar of Helsinki’s Jewish community, fights to save them in director Klaus Härö’s resonant, moving drama.
Saturday, January 4 • 4:45 pm • Camelot Theatres
Sunday, January 5 • 1:45 pm • Annenberg Theater
ITALY, 2024, 137 minutes
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Cast: Celeste Dalla Porta, Stefania Sandrelli, Gary Oldman, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Isabella Ferrari
Genres: Women, Social Issues, Family Relations, Drama, Arthouse
From Oscar®-winning director Paolo Sorrentino (The Great Beauty, PSIFF 2014), this enchanting treatise on cinematic beauty unfolds in Naples, following the titular heroine whose irresistible allure captivates everyone around her as she embarks on a journey to discover her place in the world.
Sunday, January 5 • 12:15 pm • Palm Springs High School
Sunday, January 12 • 1:30 pm • Palm Springs High School
SOUTH KOREA, 2024, 90 minutes
Director: Hong Sangsoo
Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Lee Hyeyoung, Kwon Haehyo, Cho Yunhee
Genres: Drama, Identity, Psychological, Comedy
In this enigmatic comedy, a mysterious French woman (Isabelle Huppert) drifts through Seoul, blending into the everyday and vanishing into the background. Struggling without money or means, she finds solace in makgeolli (Korean rice wine), and takes up work as a French teacher for two Korean women.
Friday, January 3 • 5:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 10:30 am • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 10:15 am • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 8:00 pm • Palm Springs High School
USA, 2024, 85 minutes
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Cast: Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, Chris Sullivan
Genres: Horror, Thriller
A family fractured by a tragedy seeks a fresh start in a new home, only to discover a spirit awaiting them. Visionary director Steven Soderbergh combines stylistic innovation with the melancholy of a classic gothic, all told through a unique visual concept: a ghost story from the perspective of the ghost.
Sunday, January 5 • 8:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
FRANCE, 2024, 103 minutes
Director: François Ozon
Cast: Anaïs Duran
Genres: Drama, Aging/Seniors, Family Relations, Women, Thriller, Social Issues
The versatile and prolific filmmaker François Ozon channels a touch of Claude Chabrol in this taut drama exploring generational tensions and the art of rule-breaking. Hélène Vincent and Josiane Balasko shine as old friends who share both an unconventional past and difficulties with their children.
Friday, January 3 • 4:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Tuesday, January 7 • 4:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 10:00 am • Camelot Theatres
CANADA/GERMANY, 2024, 110 minutes
Director: Durga Chew-Bose
Cast: Lily McInerny, Claes Bang, Chloë Sevigny, Nailia Harzoune
Genres: Coming of Age, Drama, Identity, Youth/Teen, Women, Narrative
In Durga Chew-Bose’s enchanting adaptation of Françoise Sagan’s classic novel, 18-year-old Cécile (Lily McInerney) navigates a sun-drenched summer at the French seaside with her charming father (Claes Bang) and his new lover, until the arrival of an old friend (a deliciously wicked Chloë Sevigny) disrupts their idyllic existence.
Saturday, January 4 • 7:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
Sunday, January 5 • 7:00 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
Monday, January 6 • 4:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Friday, January 10 • 7:00 pm • Palm Springs High School
USA, 2024, 102 minutes
Director: Tracie Laymon
Cast: Barbie Ferreira, John Leguizamo, French Stewart, Lauren “Lolo” Spencer, Rachel Bay Jones
Genres: Coming of Age, Comedy, Drama
When Lily (Barbie Ferreira) turns to Facebook to track down her estranged father, she instead forms a surprising connection with a compassionate, childless stranger (John Leguizamo) who shares his name. Winner of the 2024 SXSW Grand Jury and Audience awards, writer/director Tracie Laymon’s witty, touching debut is inspired by her own extraordinary experiences.
Friday, January 10 • 7:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 8:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
USA, 2024, 99 minutes
Director: David Fortune
Cast: Will Catlett, Jeremiah Daniels, Brandee Evans, Terri J. Vaughn
Genres: Drama, Family Relations
A father and son journey through Atlanta on their way to their first baseball game together, navigating a new reality while facing both challenges and moments of tenderness. David Fortune’s debut feature examines a father’s love in the wake of tragedy, creating an intimate family portrait.
Friday, January 3 • 12:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 5 • 5:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 10:00 am • Palm Canyon Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 6:00 pm • Festival Theaters
SOUTH AFRICA, 2024, 98 minutes
Director: Embeth Davidtz
Cast: Lexi Venter, Embeth Davidtz, Zikhona Bali, Fumani Shilubana, Rob Van Vuuren, Anina Reed
Genres: Drama, Coming of Age, Race/Ethnicity, Family Relations, History
Set in Rhodesia in 1980, as the election of Robert Mugabe spells the end of white colonialism, actor Embeth Davidtz’s dazzling directorial debut adapted from Alexandra Fuller’s memoir unfolds through the eyes of eight-year-old Bobo.
Friday, January 3 • 11:15 am • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 1:00 pm • Festival Theaters
ROMANIA, 2024, 138 minutes
Director: Bogdan Mureșanu
Cast: Adrian Vǎncicǎ, Andrei Miercure, Iulian Postelnicu, Emilia Dobrin, Nicoleta Hâncu, Mihai Cǎlin
Genres: History, Drama, Family Relations, Politics, Black Comedy
This slyly funny tragicomedy explores the 1989 fall of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu through the interconnected stories of six ordinary citizens. The feature debut of 2019 Palm Springs ShortFest Best of the Festival winner Bogdan Mureșanu is a thrillingly confident work full of wit, irony, and empathy.
Saturday, January 4 • 4:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 4:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
SWITZERLAND/PORTUGAL/CAPE VERDE, 2024, 95 minutes
Director: Denise Fernandes
Cast: Sanaya Andrade, Daílma Mendes, Alice Da Luz
Genres: Drama, Women, Family Relations, Coming of Age, Nature
Weaving between the natural and magical worlds, young Nana lives on a remote volcanic island from which everyone eventually departs. Abandoned by her mother shortly after birth, she spends her days seeking the answer to the lingering question: Should she stay or should she go?
Saturday, January 4 • 1:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 5 • 2:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 8:00 pm • Festival Theaters
UNITED KINGDOM/PALESTINE/FRANCE, 2024, 105 minutes
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Cast: Mahmood Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Angeliki Papoulia, Manal Awad
Genres: Drama, Borders/Migration
Winner of the SACD Prize at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, this gritty social-realist drama – with shades of Midnight Cowboy –follows two desperate Palestinian cousins stranded in Athens, far from their families and their dream of opening a café in Germany.
Saturday, January 4 • 2:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Tuesday, January 7 • 5:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 10:45 am • Mary Pickford Theater Friday, January 10 • 5:00 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 84 minutes
Director: Daniel Robbins
Cast: Kyra Sedgwick, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Jon Bass, Milana Vayntrub, David Paymer
Genres: Black Comedy, Jewish Interest, Family Relations, Religion/Spirituality
Winner of the Tribeca Audience Award, this fast-paced comedy follows a New York Sabbath dinner that spirals hilariously out of control as several generations of modern Jews grapple with the tensions between secular and religious life – while contending with a dead body in the bathroom.
Friday, January 3 • 11:00 am • Camelot Theatres
Tuesday, January 7 • 7:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Thursday, January 9 • 5:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
USA, 2024, 123 minutes
Director: Scott McGehee, David Siegel
Cast: Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, Sarah Pidgeon, Carla Gugino, Constance Wu, Noma Dumezweni, Ann Dowd, Bing
Genres: Drama, Animals, Literature, Relationships
In this delicious adaptation of Sigrid Nunez’s beloved novel, an author (Naomi Watts) inherits a Great Dane after her best friend (Bill Murray) commits suicide. This enormous (and irresistible) dog wreaks havoc on her happily solitary New York life.
Saturday, January 4 • 7:45 pm • Palm Springs High School
Sunday, January 5 • 4:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
Thursday, January 9 • 10:00 am • Annenberg Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 10:00 am • Camelot Theatres
USA/ITALY, 2023, 96 minutes
Director: Brian Crano, David Craig
Cast: Nick Kroll, Andrew Rannells, Morgan Spector, Amanda Seyfried
Genres: Comedy, Horror, LGBTQ
As Dom (Nick Kroll) and Cole (Andrew Rannells) await their adoption’s finalization, they embark on a romantic Italian getaway. But when their car breaks down en route to a private dinner, their night quickly devolves into mayhem and miscommunication in this outrageous comic thriller.
Saturday, January 4 • 7:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 5:15 pm • Camelot Theatres
Friday, January 10 • 7:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 1:45 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 92 minutes
Director: Sam Zuchero, Andy Zuchero
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Steven Yeun
Genres: Drama, Romance, Science Fiction
In a post-apocalyptic landscape devoid of human life, a meet-cute occurs between a buoy and a satellite. Through the online devices left by humanity, they begin a romance that blurs the lines of their AI hardwiring. Featuring Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun, this bold directorial debut is a wry, genre-defying exploration of modern connection.
Saturday, January 4 • 3:30 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
Wednesday, January 8 • 1:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Thursday, January 9 • 8:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
USA, 2024, 108 minutes
Director: Rachel Feldman
Cast: Patricia Clarkson, John Benjamin Hickey, Thomas Sadoski
Genres: Drama, Class/Economics, Women, Social Issues, Work/Labor
Patricia Clarkson shines in this rousing profile of courage as Lilly Ledbetter, the Alabama Goodyear factory worker whose tireless fight for women’s equal pay went all the way to the Supreme Court. Like Norma Rae and Erin Brockovich, Lilly packs a sweet punch for justice.
Saturday, January 4 • 7:45 pm • Camelot Theatres
Sunday, January 5 • 4:45 pm • Annenberg Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 4:15 pm • Palm Springs High School
Sunday, January 12 • 10:00 am • Annenberg Theater
USA, 2024, 117 minutes
Director: Edward Burns
Cast: Morena Baccarin, Benjamin Bratt, Edward Burns, Minnie Driver, Brian d’Arcy James, Julianna Margulies, Gretchen Mol, Campbell Scott, Patrick Wilson
Genres: Drama, Romance, Relationships, Family Relations
Writer/director/star Edward Burns and his knockout cast take stock of their rocky marriages and newfound desires in this rich study of life and love after 50.
Saturday, January 4 • 10:00 am • Palm Springs High School
Tuesday, January 7 • 1:45 pm • Camelot Theatres
Friday, January 10 • 2:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 7:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
USA, 2024, 101 minutes
Director: Mahesh Pailoor
Cast: Kapil Talwalkar, Olivia Liang, Karan Soni, Tom Everett Scott, Faran Tahir, Meera Simhan, West Liang Genres: Drama, Psychological
What would you do if you had six months to live? At 22, Peace Corps volunteer and USC graduate Shalin Shah (Kapil Talwalkar) chooses to make a difference. Based on a true story, Shah’s viral manifesto urges people to cherish every moment, transforming his passion for life into a lasting movement.
Monday, January 6 • 1:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 4:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 7:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 89 minutes
Director: Michael Angarano
Cast: Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart, Michael Angarano, Maya Erskine Genres: Comedy, Drama, Road Movie, Relationships, California
In this crackling buddy comedy, Rickey (director/co-writer Michael Angarano) reunites with estranged friend Glenn (Michael Cera) for an impulsive road trip from Los Angeles to California’s capital. At vastly different stages in life, the two men reluctantly – and hilariously – confront fatherhood, fragile masculinity, and self-discovery.
Saturday, January 4 • 8:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 5 • 8:00 pm • Annenberg Theater
Friday, January 10 • 1:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 3:30 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
Congratulations to This Year’s Filmmakers
TRAILERS • TV SPOTS • PRINT • DIGITAL/SOCIAL
CONTENT • MOVIES • STREAMING • BRAND • SPORTS
CANADA, 2024, 86 minutes
Director: Shannon Walsh
Genres: Documentary, Romance, Performance, Art/Design, Architecture
As a monument to their whirlwind romance and creativity, Alan and Adrianne St-George hand-built a lavish 63-room castle in the Illinois countryside. Now, facing a future without the love of his life, Alan channels his grief into art, preserving the extravagant home as a shrine to their real-life fairy tale.
Saturday, January 4 • 5:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Monday, January 6 • 1:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 12:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 8:00 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
BHUTAN/HUNGARY, 2024, 94 minutes
Director: Arun Bhattarai, Dorottya Zurbó
With: Amber Kumar Gurung
Genres: Documentary, Culture, Social Issues
In this heartwarming, multilayered study, Amber Kumar Gurung collects data for the Gross National Happiness Index by going door to door in the Bhutanese Himalayas. Along the way, he uncovers a complex portrait of life experiences that mirrors his own struggles and quest for happiness.
Friday, January 3 • 5:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 4 • 2:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Monday, January 6 • 11:30 am • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 9:30 am • Festival Theaters
BRAZIL, 2024, 110 minutes
Director: Petra Costa
Genres: Documentary, Politics, Social Issues, Class/Economics, Religion/ Spirituality
Oscar®-nominated director Petra Costa charts the meteoric rise of evangelicalism and its transformative impact on Brazilian politics. With remarkable access to televangelists and presidents alike, this documentary delves into the disruptive power of religion over a young democracy.
Friday, January 3 • 4:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 2:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 7:45 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 104 minutes
Director: Paris Barclay
With: Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, Suzanne De Passe, Blinky Williams, Eric Clapton
Genres: Documentary, LGBTQ, Music, Black/African Diaspora, Biography, Gay
This mesmerizing, music-rich documentary charts the dazzling rise and tormented fall of keyboard genius and conflicted gay artist Billy Preston. Follow his journey from gospel roots in the 1950s to inspired collaborations with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, to the 1970s in Topanga Canyon.
Saturday, January 4 • 7:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Sunday, January 5 • 10:15 am • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 5:45 pm • Camelot Theatres
Sunday, January 12 • 8:00 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 86 minutes
Director: Ivan MacDonald, Ivy MacDonald, Daniel Glick
With: Lily Gladstone, Paulette Fox, Ervin Carlson
Genres: Documentary, Indigenous, Social Issues
A small, determined group of Blackfoot people strive to restore their land’s ecology, cultural roots, and spiritual connection by reintroducing buffalo to Blackfeet territory, a century after the species’ near-extinction. Narrated by Oscar® nominee Lily Gladstone, this evocative and moving film captures a powerful, community-led journey toward renewal and healing.
Sunday, January 5 • 4:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Monday, January 6 • 2:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 10:15 am • Festival Theaters
IRELAND/UNITED KINGDOM, 2024, 99 minutes
Director: Sinéad O’Shea
With: Edna O’Brien, Jessie Buckley, Gabriel Byrne, Carlo Gebler, Sasha Gebler, Walter Mosley
Genres: Documentary, Biography, Literature, Social Issues, Women
Condemned by the Catholic Church, the taboo-shattering Irish novelist Edna O’Brien, who passed away in 2024 at 93, is the subject of this fascinating portrait. Her feminism, liberated lifestyle, famous London parties, and brutally honest writing changed the landscape of Irish literature.
Tuesday, January 7 • 10:30 am • Annenberg Theater Friday, January 10 • 8:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
USA/UKRAINE, 2024, 109 minutes
Director: Joshua Zeman
With: Oleksandr Feldman, Vadym Vorotynskyy, Vitalii Ilchenko, Andrii Tyvaniuk
Genres: Documentary, Animals, War, Politics, Thriller
The heroic efforts of zookeepers and volunteers to rescue 5,000 animals under Russian bombardment from the Feldman Ecopark in Ukraine during the early days of the war are recounted in this edge-of-your-seat document. It is both a harrowing and uplifting testament to courage under fire.
Tuesday, January 7 • 7:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 12:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 3:30 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 91 minutes
Director: Vicki Abeles
Genres: Documentary, Class/Economics, Social Issues, Politics
This eye-opening panorama persuasively argues that we must change how we teach math in order to tackle the significant challenges we face – racial and income inequality, climate change, and political polarization. Addressing the issues of the future, the film offers an empowering new equation.
Saturday, January 4 • 7:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Tuesday, January 7 • 11:30 am • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 3:45 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 92 minutes
Director: Marq Evans
With: Dick Perez, John Ortiz, John Thorn, Bob Kendrick, Peggy Steele
Genres: Biography, Documentary, Art/Design, Sports
For over 20 years, Dick Perez was the official artist of the Baseball Hall of Fame, painting the game’s history and every Hall of Famer – a project he continues into his 80s. Director Marq Evans (Claydream, PSIFF 2022) tells the fascinating story of this childhood immigrant whose portraits transformed the commemoration of America’s most iconic pastime.
Sunday, January 5 • 12:00 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
Monday, January 6 • 7:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 4:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 5:45 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 87 minutes
Director: Vincent DeLuca
With: Rafael Larraenza, Monica Larraenza, Indira Renderos
Genres: Documentary, Borders/Migration, Latinx, Social Issues, Politics
In the unforgiving Sonoran Desert, Rafael Larraenza leads a volunteer organization dedicated to searching for migrants risking their lives to cross into the United States. When a Salvadoran woman reports her son is missing, Rafael sets off to find him in the sweltering borderlands.
Saturday, January 4 • 1:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Sunday, January 5 • 4:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 3:30 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
Sunday, January 12 • 10:45 am • Mary Pickford Theater
USA, 2024, 92 minutes
Director: Bess Kargman
With: Diane Warren, Clive Davis, Common, Gloria Estefan, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jennifer Hudson, Cher, Randy Jackson, Quincy Jones
Genres: Documentary, Music, Women, Jewish Interest, Film-related
Hollywood’s most coveted songwriter – with Beyoncé, Cher, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and Toni Braxton among her many devotees – writes heart-rending love songs but prefers animals to people. She’s worth billions but isn’t interested in spending it. Meet the prickly, fascinating musical poet who’s been nominated for 15 Oscars® – and never won.
Saturday, January 4 • 6:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 7:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 12:30 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 90 minutes
Director: Nesa Azimi
With: Desiree Wood, Idella Hansen, Michelle Kitchin, Deb “Dingo” Desiderato, Jessica Graham, Brita Nowak
Genres: Documentary, Women, Work/Labor, Social Issues, Road Movie
Hit the open road with Desiree Wood as she rallies her fellow women long-haul truck drivers to battle a predatory, misogynistic industry. These hard-bitten, freedom-loving drivers offer wonderful company in this artfully shot film.
Tuesday, January 7 • 6:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 11:30 am • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 2:30 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 93 minutes
Director: Bobby Roth
With: Peter Coyote, Tom Morello, Ming-Na Wen, John Cho, Lauren Tom, J August Richards, Rob Morrow, Michael Mann, Taylor Hackford
Genres: Documentary, Gender, Relationships, Social Issues
Inspired by the birth of his grandson, filmmaker Bobby Roth gathered 50 friends – including Peter Coyote, Henry Winkler, and Michelle Satter – to take stock of their lives, loves, mistakes, and regrets in this wonderfully candid examination of the journeys we’ve taken.
Friday, January 3 • 5:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 1:15 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Friday, January 10 • 8:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
AUSTRALIA, 2024, 93 minutes
Director: Sally Aitken
Genres: Documentary
Up in the Hollywood Hills, the remarkable and empathetic Terry Masear tends to wounded hummingbirds, nursing them back to health. This joyful, gorgeously shot portrait teaches us as much about these fragile, amazing creatures as it does about the tenacity of the human heart.
Friday, January 3 • 3:00 pm • Festival Theaters
*Saturday, January 11 • 4:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 5:00 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
*Free Community Screening
Presented by Desert Care Network
USA, 2024, 86 minutes
Director: Neil Berkeley
With: Neil Patrick Harris, Mike Birbiglia, Nicole Byer, Gary Gulman, London Hughes, Tig Notaro, Atsuko Okatsuka
Genres: Comedy, Documentary, Health, Social Issues
Laugh through the pain with some of the world’s top comedians as they gather to share personal stories at the intersection of comedy and mental health. Led by Neil Patrick Harris, these illuminating conversations offer catharsis, resonance, and plenty of gut-busting humor.
Saturday, January 11 • 7:30 pm • Annenberg Theater Sunday, January 12 • 5:00 pm • Festival Theaters
INDIA, 2024, 62 minutes
Director: Rohit Gupta
Genres: Musical, Race/Ethnicity, Social Issues, Documentary
Once engulfed in violence, the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland transforms through the healing power of music. Produced by Oscar®-winning composer A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire), this showcase of the Naga tribes’ sonic heritage celebrates their resilience and creative spirit in a stunning visual landscape.
Friday, January 10 • 4:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 1:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 2:30 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 110 minutes
Director: Michael Premo
Genres: Documentary, Politics, Journalism, Social Issues, Identity
Startlingly intimate, this verité immersion into the lives of three fervent Trump supporters culminates at the January 6 insurrection. Illuminating, unsettling, and surprising, this purely observational document lays bare its swaggering subjects and the movement challenging the foundations of American democracy.
Monday, January 6 • 8:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 5:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 7:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 10:45 am • Festival Theaters
ISRAEL, 2024, 118 minutes
Director: Yair Raveh
With: Avi Nesher, Adir Miller, Gidi Gov, Chelli Goldenberg, Shron Harel, Joy Rieger, Tom Nesher
Genres: Documentary, Film-related, Jewish Interest, History
This fascinating look at Israeli cinema celebrates the work of filmmaker Avi Nesher, whose American education and unconventional methods made him a maverick. Captivating clips and interviews create an incisive portrait of an enduring artist who always felt like an outsider.
Saturday, January 4 • 10:45 am • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 2:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 1:30 pm • Festival Theaters
COLOMBIA/MEXICO/USA, 2024, 81 minutes
Director: Juan Mejía
With: Francia Márquez
Genres: Documentary, Women, Politics, History, Social Issues
This intimate portrait chronicles the life of Francia Márquez, an Afro-Colombian political leader and activist who, through her presidential campaign, transformed the derogatory term “Igualada” into a symbol of defiance, and inspired a nation to envision a more equitable future.
Saturday, January 4 • 5:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Monday, January 6 • 7:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 10:45 am • Palm Canyon Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 5:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
USA, 2024, 114 minutes
Director: Varda Bar-Kar
Cast: Janis Ian, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Lily Tomlin, Jean Smart, Laurie Metcalf
Genres: Documentary, Music, Lesbian, Biography, LGBTQ
The tumultuous journey of beloved singer-songwriter Janis Ian –who found fame as a teenager with her boundary-breaking song “Society’s Child” – unfolds in this saga of an artist who triumphed over homophobia, a misogynistic music industry, debilitating health issues, and a gun-toting lover.
Friday, January 3 • 7:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 3:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 1:15 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 104 minutes
Director: Bruce David Klein
With: Michael Feinstein, Lorna Luft, Mia Farrow, Ben Vereen, Joel Grey, Chita Rivera
Genres: Documentary, Biography, Theater, Film-related, Women, Music
Liza Minnelli tells her own story in this fabulous salute to an iconic talent. It’s all here: her childhood in mother Judy Garland’s shadow, her bonds with mentors Kay Thompson, Charles Aznavour, and Bob Fosse, her up-and-down marriages, and the triumphs of Broadway and Cabaret
Friday, January 3 • 8:15 pm • Palm Springs High School
Monday, January 6 • 9:30 am • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 7:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
Friday, January 10 • 4:15 pm • Annenberg Theater
USA, 2024, 94 minutes
Director: Lisa Immordino Vreeland
With: Josh O’Connor
Genres: Documentary, Art/Design, LGBTQ, Theater, Film-related, Gay
The director of wonderful documentaries on Cecil Beaton and Diana Vreeland turns her keen eye to the astonishing Jean Cocteau – artist, filmmaker, poet, novelist, designer, opium addict, and proud lover of men – who mastered every art form of the 20th century.
Saturday, January 4 • 1:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 6:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 10:30 am • Palm Canyon Theater
Friday, January 10 • 1:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
CHINA/USA, 2024, 94 minutes
Director: Elizabeth Lo
With: Wang Zhenxi
Genres: Documentary, Relationships, Women, Work/Labor
In China, a mistress dispeller is a woman hired to break up extramarital affairs. In this intimately observed story, a suspicious wife hires the dispeller, Wang Zhenxi, who befriends both her husband and his younger mistress under fictitious pretexts, craftily working to restore her client’s marriage.
Tuesday, January 7 • 8:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 3:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 5:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
JORDAN/USA/FRANCE/IRELAND, 2024, 86 minutes
Director: Sareen Hairabedian
With: Vrej Khatchatryan
Genres: Documentary, War, Youth/Teen, Politics, Coming of Age
Through an intimate, child’s-eye view of war, 11-year-old Vrej, raised in an Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan, faces upheaval as conflict erupts. Forced to flee with his family, he wonders if he’ll ever play in the fields of his “sweet land” again.
Saturday, January 4 • 12:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 6:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 4:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Friday, January 10 • 11:30 am • Mary Pickford Theater
PALESTINE, 2024, 96 minutes
Director: Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor
Genres: Documentary, Politics, Race/Ethnicity, Jewish Interest, Journalism, Borders/Migration, Social Issues
This award-winning documentary, filmed over five years by a collective of Palestinians and Israelis, captures the systematic destruction of the villages of Masafer Yatta in the West Bank by the Israeli military. It’s both a shattering exposé and a nuanced story of cross-cultural friendship.
Tuesday, January 7 • 11:00 am • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 2:00 pm • Festival Theaters
ROMANIA, 2024, 104 minutes
Director: Tudor Giurgiu, Tudor D. Popescu, Cristian Pascariu
With: Ilie Năstase, Ion Tiriac, Jimmy Connors, Stan Smith, Björn Borg, John McEnroe
Genres: Sports, Biography, History, Documentary
Featuring a wealth of exciting archival footage and interviews with contemporaries Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors, and Billie Jean King, this fascinating portrait explores a bygone era in tennis history through the lens of Ilie Năstase, Romania’s handsome, charismatic yet temperamental bad-boy champion.
Thursday, January 9 • 4:45 pm • Annenberg Theater
Friday, January 10 • 6:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Saturday, January 11 • 4:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
USA, 2024, 98 minutes
Director: John Maggio
Genres: Biography, Documentary, Music
With a career spanning eight decades, Ottawa-born singersongwriter Paul Anka has left a lasting mark on the music industry. In this all-encompassing tribute, brimming with archival footage and candid moments, Anka – still going strong – offers in his own words a vivid glimpse into his remarkable life and enduring legacy.
Saturday, January 4 • 1:30 pm • Palm Springs High School
Sunday, January 5 • 10:00 am • Camelot Theatres
Thursday, January 9 • 8:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
Saturday, January 11 • 2:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
USA, 2024, 105 minutes
Director: Sandi DuBowski
Genres: Documentary, LGBTQ, Gender, Religion/Spirituality, Social Issues
Filmed over 21 years, this is the story of Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, whose ever-evolving identity as a rabbi, drag queen, and religious reformer, raises provocative questions about the future of Judaism. Determined to reform conservative Judaism from within, he encounters fierce resistance from all sides.
Saturday, January 4 • 8:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 3:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 4:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
USA/JAPAN/SWITZERLAND, 2024, 76 minutes
Director: Ian Cheney
With: James Stillwaggon, Mary Quicke, Alisha Norris Jones, Ana MikadzeChikvaidze, Galina Inasaridze
Genres: Documentary, Food
Take a quirky, globe-trotting journey through the world of cheese and explore the craft of aging and its surprising parallels to human life. Eclectic – and eccentric –cheesemakers and mongers reflect on mortality and the art of perfection in this philosophical culinary delight.
Saturday, January 4 • 10:45 am • Palm Canyon Theater
Monday, January 6 • 8:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 1:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 12:45 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 93 minutes
Director: Valentina Ganeva
With: Meryl Streep, Udo Kier, Xander Berkeley, Blake Lindsley Genres: Documentary, Architecture, Art/Design, California
Dive into the life and work of the great modernist architect R.M. Schindler, who broke from the International Style (Richard Neutra was his bitter rival; Frank Lloyd Wright a difficult mentor) and introduced the California concept of indoor/outdoor living. Narrated by Meryl Streep and Udo Kier.
Tuesday, January 7 • 1:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 1:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 5:00 pm • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 98 minutes
Director: Marah Strauch, Bryce Leavitt
With: Joe Jennings, Sissy Jennings
Genres: Documentary, Film-related, Action/Adventure, Technology, Sports
This is the high-flying story of Joe Jennings, a pioneer of skydiving cinematography and Hollywood’s go-to man for gasp-inducing aerial stunts. A man most at home free-falling through space, he attempts the one stunt that has eluded him throughout his death-defying life.
Saturday, January 4 • 4:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Sunday, January 5 • 10:00 am • Palm Canyon Theater
Monday, January 6 • 6:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 5:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
USA/POLAND/GERMANY, 2025, 100 minutes
Director: Dan Sturman
Genres: Documentary, Jewish Interest, History, Thriller
A Hollywood filmmaker learns of a treasure trove of priceless stamps stolen by a Nazi officer from concentration camp victims and buried in a house in Poland. Employing an Argolike fake-movie ruse, he and his team set out to find the treasure, but run into complications they never expected.
Thursday, January 9 • 6:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 1:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 7:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 12:15 pm • Festival Theaters
JAPAN, 2024, 84 minutes
Director: Aki Mizutani
With: Yoshinori Ishii, Kenji Okawara
Genres: Documentary, Culture, Food
Michelin-starred chef Yoshinori Ishii and his team set out to transform a historic Japanese inn into the premier Tokyo destination for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience, incorporating all aspects of traditional Japanese cuisine.
Saturday, January 4 • 1:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 7:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 10:15 am • Palm Canyon Theater
UNITED KINGDOM, 2024, 88 minutes
Director: Mark Cousins
With: Tilda Swinton
Genres: Documentary, Art/Design, History, Women
Many may not have heard of British artist Wilhelmina BarnsGraham, but filmmaker Mark Cousins’ personal, provocative testament to this remarkable woman raises the question of why she isn’t a household name. In a rare feat for a documentary, this poetic portrait took the top prize at the 2024 Karlovy Vary Film Festival.
Sunday, January 5 • 1:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Tuesday, January 7 • 10:45 am • Camelot Theatres
Sunday, January 12 • 8:00 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
ARGENTINA/URUGUAY, 2024, 90 minutes
Director: Nicolás Gil Lavedra
Genres: Documentary, History, Crime, Politics, Journalism
With the intrigue of a detective story, this poignant documentary combines testimonials, archival material, animation, and reenactments to explore a dark chapter in Argentina’s history: the infamous “death flights” carried out by the country’s brutal 1976-1983 military dictatorship, in which 30,000 people were disappeared.
Saturday, January 4 • 4:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 5 • 2:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 11:00 am • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 1:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
USA, 2024, 89 minutes
Director: Heidi Levitt
With: Charlie Hess, Heidi Levitt
Genres: Documentary, Aging/Seniors, Relationships, Disability, Health
In 2019, art director Charlie Hess was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. In this tender and clear-eyed film, his wife, acclaimed casting director Heidi Levitt, chronicles the metamorphosis of their marriage over the next four years as she becomes his loving caretaker, learning to adapt to an ever-changing reality.
Saturday, January 11 • 3:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 11:00 am • Festival Theaters
USA, 2024, 99 minutes
Director: Maisie Crow, Abbie Perrault
Genres: Documentary, Social Issues, Politics, Women, Health
Prepare to be outraged and moved by this impassioned film about the fight for reproductive rights in Texas, featuring extraordinary women and a brave lawyer who wage an uphill battle against the state’s draconian laws, which have put the lives of so many women in peril.
Friday, January 3 • 1:15 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
UNITED KINGDOM/USA, 2024, 93 minutes
Director: Jenny Carchman
With: David Steiner, Ina Steiner, Veronica Zea
Genres: Documentary, Crime, Journalism, Technology, Thriller
This jaw-dropping true crime documentary thriller begins with the online harassment of a journalist in 2019. As the threats grow more ominous and bizarre, the FBI enters the scene, and this wild yarn broadens to expose a conspiracy with chilling implications for us all.
Tuesday, January 7 • 6:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 7:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 3:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 12:00 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
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GREECE/BULGARIA/USA, 2024, 99 minutes
Director: Yorgos Zois
Cast: Vangelis Mourikis, Angeliki Papoulia, Elena Topalidou, Nikolas Papagiannis
Genres: Drama, Psychological, Mystery, Fantasy
Set in a ghostly, off-season Greek resort town, this haunted tale of grief and lost love begins when a retired doctor and his wife are summoned to identify the victim of a tragic car accident. What follows is a mysterious quest in a slippery realm where the dead seem to coexist with the living.
Sunday, January 5 • 11:15 am • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 3:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 11:45 am • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 7:00 pm • Festival Theaters
FRANCE, 2024, 91 minutes
Director: Pascal Bonitzer
Cast: Alex Lutz, Léa Drucker, Nora Hamzawi, Louise Chevillotte
Genres: Art/Design, Drama, Jewish Interest, History
While investigating a painting owned by a working-class family from the provinces, a hotshot Parisian art broker quickly realizes it’s a genuine Egon Schiele masterpiece looted by the Nazis in 1939. This thrilling drama is filled with deceit, surprises, and double dealings.
Friday, January 3 • 3:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
Tuesday, January 7 • 8:15 pm • Camelot Theatres
Wednesday, January 8 • 4:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
AUSTRALIA, 2024, 97 minutes
Director: Natalie Bailey
Cast: Jackie Van Beek, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Josephine Blazier, Hannah Diviney
Genres: Women, Black Comedy, Identity, Family Relations
When her spoiled teenage daughter Audrey falls into a coma, a delusional, washed-up soap star seizes the opportunity for a second chance by assuming her identity, hurling the wildly dysfunctional Lipsick family into a whirlwind of deceit, absurdity, and uproarious revelations.
Saturday, January 4 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 3:30 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
Monday, January 6 • 1:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 7:45 pm • Palm Springs High School
JAPAN, 2024, 129 minutes
Director: Kazuya Shiraishi
Cast: Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Kaya Kiyohara, Taishi Nakagawa, Kyoko Koizumi, Takumi Saitoh
Genres: Drama, History, Action/Adventure
Combining the classic themes of samurai films with modern questions of honor and morality, beloved filmmaker Kazuya Shiraishi’s Edo-period drama follows a wandering ronin as he faces betrayal and revenge, all building to a pulse-pounding finale.
Friday, January 3 • 1:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 4 • 8:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Wednesday, January 8 • 10:15 am • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 8:30 pm • Festival Theaters
CHINA, 2024, 110 minutes
Director: Guan Hu
Cast: Eddie Peng, Tong Liya, Jia Zhangke, Zhang Yi, Zhou You
Genres: Drama, Animals, Black Comedy
Returning after 10 years away, Lang finds his hometown partially abandoned and overrun by wild dogs. Hired to clear the area of strays before the 2008 Olympics, he forms a bond with a black dog that mirrors his own loneliness.
Friday, January 3 • 1:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 4:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 10:30 am • Festival Theaters
AUSTRALIA, 2024, 119 minutes
Director: Kriv Stenders
Cast: Richard Roxburgh, Julian Maroun, Rahel Romahn, Yael Stone, Mojean Aria
Genres: Journalism, Biography, Drama, War
Based on a harrowing true story, Australian war correspondent Peter Greste (a stellar Richard Roxburgh) is arrested and imprisoned in Egypt while covering the 2013 political unrest. Accused of terrorism, Greste becomes ensnared in a ruthless crackdown on truth, exposing the dangerous reality faced by journalists worldwide.
Saturday, January 4 • 7:00 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
Sunday, January 5 • 5:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 5:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
GERMANY, 2024, 125 minutes
Director: Andreas Dresen
Cast: Liv Lisa Fries, Johannes Hegemann
Genres: Drama, History, Period, Jewish Interest
Set in Berlin in 1942, this stirring true story follows Hilde Coppi (Babylon Berlin star Liv Lisa Fries), a member of the anti-Nazi group “Red Orchestra” who falls in love with her cohort, Hans (Johannes Hegemann). Imprisoned by the Gestapo while eight months pregnant, she faces the ultimate test of love and courage.
Thursday, January 9 • 1:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Friday, January 10 • 4:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 8:00 pm • Festival Theaters
PALESTINE/GERMANY/FRANCE/ITALY/QATAR, 2024, 123 minutes
Director: Scandar Copti
Cast: Manar Shehab, Wafaa Aoun, Toufic Danial, Meirav Memoresky
Genres: Drama, Family Relations, Jewish Interest, Race/Ethnicity, Women
Winner of the top prize at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, this lively, naturalistic drama follows a family of Palestinian citizens of Israel in Haifa. Through his characters, Oscar®nominated director Scandar Copti (Ajami) explores deep divides between genders and ethnicities, while exposing the traditions and values that shape their lives.
Friday, January 3 • 11:30 am • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 11:15 am • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 5:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 1:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
FRANCE/GERMANY/BELGIUM, 2024, 106 minutes
Director: Jonathan Millet
Cast: Adam Bassa, Tawfeek Barhom, Julia Franz Richter
Genres: Borders/Migration, Drama, History, War, Psychological
Hamid is part of a secret group hunting fugitive leaders of the Syrian regime. His mission brings him to France, on the trail of his former torturer. This gripping manhunt expertly balances cloak-and-dagger intrigue with an acute psychological exploration of grief and exile.
Friday, January 3 • 8:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Tuesday, January 7 • 5:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 2:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
GERMANY, 2024, 135 minutes
Director: Joachim Lang
Cast: Sam Riley, Elisa Badenes, Max Schimmelpfennig, Hanns Zischler
Genres: Dance, Biography, Gay, Performance, LGBTQ
Driven by a quest for perfection, John Cranko (Sam Riley) is the toast of 1950s London until he’s prosecuted for homosexuality. Recruited by the Stuttgart Ballet, the manic workaholic builds a world-renowned ensemble while grappling with destructive urges in this tribute to the virtuoso choreographer.
Thursday, January 9 • 1:00 pm • Annenberg Theater
Friday, January 10 • 4:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 1:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 10:00 am • Palm Canyon Theater
BELGIUM/FRANCE, 2024, 153 minutes
Director: Fabrice du Welz
Cast: Anthony Bajon, Alexis Manenti, Alba Gaïa Bellugi
Genres: Thriller, Crime, Drama, Period, Narrative
Based on a notorious real-life case, this gripping Belgian noir follows a young maverick policeman’s obsessive pursuit of justice against an international pedophile ring. His quest puts him at odds with his superiors, his family and, ultimately, the law itself.
Monday, January 6 • 8:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 2:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
IRAN/FRANCE/SWEDEN/GERMANY, 2023, 96 minutes
Director: Maryam Moghaddam, Behtash Sanaeeha
Cast: Lily Farhadpour, Esmail Mehrabi
Genres: Food, Drama, Comedy, Women, Social Issues
A 70-year-old widow in Tehran disrupts her predictable routine by pursuing a relationship with a lonely taxi driver. As she embraces the possibility of new love, this unexpected meeting evolves into an unforgettable evening full of surprises.
Friday, January 3 • 1:45 pm • Camelot Theatres
Monday, January 6 • 5:30 pm • Camelot Theatres
Friday, January 10 • 8:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
BRAZIL/PORTUGAL, 2024, 101 minutes
Director: Marianna Brennand
Cast: Jamili Correa, Fátima Macedo, Rômulo Braga, Dira Paes, Emily Pantoja, Samira Eloá, Gabriel Rodrigues, Enzo Maia
Genres: Women, Drama, Youth/Teen, Social Issues, Family Relations
Set in a remote corner of Brazil largely untouched by the modern world, this earnest and moving drama centers on 13-year-old Marcielle, who yearns to escape her hostile home and a village that has resisted change for generations.
Saturday, January 4 • 2:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 10:45 am • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 1:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
ICELAND/FINLAND/CZECH REPUBLIC, 2024, 104 minutes
Director: Snævar Sölvason
Cast: Björn Jörundur, Arna Magnea Danks
Genres: Comedy, Relationships, Food, Family Relations, Transgender, LGBTQ
In this endearing dramedy, two childhood friends receive an opportunity to keep their seafood restaurant in the picturesque Westfjords open year-round. When one comes out as a trans woman, their long-standing friendship is tested, revealing new perspectives on life and identity.
Tuesday, January 7 • 8:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Wednesday, January 8 • 4:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Thursday, January 9 • 12:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 2:15 pm • Camelot Theatres
ZAMBIA/UNITED KINGDOM/IRELAND, 2024, 99 minutes
Director: Rungano Nyoni
Cast: Susan Chardy, Elizabeth Chisela, Henry B.J. Phiri
Genres: Drama, Comedy
Piercing and enigmatic, this tale of patriarchy and betrayal follows a young woman as she witnesses an increasingly disconcerting grieving process following her uncle’s death. The loss triggers a reckoning with generational trauma for a family more inclined to ignore the past than confront it.
Friday, January 3 • 4:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Tuesday, January 7 • 8:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 10:00 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 2:00 pm • Festival Theaters
DENMARK/USA, 2024, 110 minutes
Director: Frederik Louis Hviid
Cast: Reda Kateb, Gustav Giese, Amanda Collin
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Crime, Narrative
As the 2008 financial crisis hits Europe, a group of tenacious, ambitious men plan Denmark’s largest-ever heist. Led by a veteran boxer seeking redemption, this suspenseful caper explores the mechanics of the job, internal conflicts, and personal costs.
Friday, January 3 • 8:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 7:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 8:15 pm • Camelot Theatres
ISRAEL/ITALY, 2024, 104 minutes
Director: Nir Bergman
Cast: Gal Malka, Sara von Schwarze, Nur Fibak
Genres: Jewish Interest, Religion/Spirituality, Drama, Gay, LGBTQ
In an ultra-Orthodox community in Jerusalem, Bati leads a seemingly perfect life with her husband and three children. But her world begins to crumble when her gentle husband is blackmailed over a secret affair with his male Torah study partner.
Saturday, January 4 • 3:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 12:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Monday, January 6 • 4:30 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
NORWAY, 2024, 141 minutes
Director: Erik Poppe
Cast: Gard B. Eidsvold, Anders Danielsen Lie, Lisa Carlehed
Genres: Drama, Religion/Spirituality, Biography, History
Both a bold historical drama and a penetrating psychological study of a delusional authoritarian, the latest from director Erik Poppe (The King’s Choice, PSIFF 2016) revisits Germany’s occupation of Norway and its aftermath through the story of wartime puppet leader and Nazi collaborator Vidkun Quisling.
Saturday, January 4 • 2:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 1:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 2:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 10:00 am • Palm Springs High School
NORWAY/USA, 2024, 125 minutes
Director: Dag Johan Haugerud
Cast: Thorbjørn Harr, Jan Gunnar Røise, Anne Marie Ottersen, Nasrin Khusrawi
Genres: Comedy, Gay, Family Relations, LGBTQ
Two men in heterosexual marriages confront challenges to their understanding of sexuality, gender, and identity in this formally inventive comedy that deconstructs masculinity, explores the complexities of human relationships, and asks the question: Is sex with another man cheating?
Saturday, January 4 • 11:45 am • Festival Theaters
Tuesday, January 7 • 7:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 4:30 pm • Festival Theaters
DENMARK/SWEDEN, 2024, 100 minutes
Director: Gustav Möller
Cast: Sidse Babett Knudsen, Sebastian Bull
Genres: Drama, Family Relations, Crime, Social Issues
In this superbly acted, atmospheric prison drama from the director of The Guilty (PSIFF 2019), Sidse Babett Knudsen (TV’s Borgen) delivers a remarkable performance as a compassionate corrections officer whose untoward interest in a new inmate sets the stage for a gripping thriller.
Monday, January 6 • 10:00 am • Camelot Theatres
Tuesday, January 7 • 7:15 pm • Palm Springs High School
Saturday, January 11 • 2:15 pm • Annenberg Theater
SWITZERLAND/FRANCE/BULGARIA/TAIWAN/INDIA, 2024, 115 minutes
Director: Konstantin Bojanov
Cast: Anasuya Sengupta, Omara Shetty, Auroshikha Dey, Rohit Kokate, Kiran Bhivagade, Tanmay Dhanania, Mita Vasisht
Genres: Lesbian, Race/Ethnicity, Religion/Spirituality, Drama, Crime, LGBTQ
This provocative drama set in India explores the forbidden relationship between Renuka (2024 Cannes Un Certain Regard Best Actress winner Anasuya Sengupta), a tough-asnails sex worker on the run, and Devika (Omara Shetty), a teenager destined for a similar future.
Saturday, January 4 • 8:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 3:30 pm • Festival Theaters
FRANCE, 2024, 92 minutes
Director: Boris Lojkine
Cast: Abou Sangaré, Nina Meurisse, Alpha Oumar Sow, Emmanuel Yovanie
Genres: Black/African Diaspora, Borders/Migration, Drama, Social Issues
Exhausted by the grueling Parisian gig economy, undocumented Guinean immigrant and bicycle courier Souleymane (2024 Cannes Un Certain Regard Best Actor winner Abou Sangaré) races against time to prepare for his asylum interview in this gripping social thriller.
Sunday, January 5 • 10:45 am • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 3:30 pm • Festival Theaters
PHILIPPINES, 2024, 91 minutes
Director: Antoinette Jadaone
Cast: Maris Racal
Genres: Drama, Sports, Social Issues
Just days before her team’s tryouts for the Olympics, dedicated young gymnast Sunshine (a powerful Maris Racal) discovers she is pregnant. In a country where abortion is illegal, she must embark on a desperate and risky journey to fight for her autonomy.
Saturday, January 4 • 2:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Monday, January 6 • 12:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Thursday, January 9 • 10:45 am • Camelot Theatres
Saturday, January 11 • 5:00 pm • Festival Theaters
GEORGIA/ISRAEL/IRAN, 2023, 103 minutes
Director: Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Guy Nattiv
Cast: Arienne Mandi, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Jaime Ray Newman, Nadine Marshall
Genres: Sports, Drama, Politics, Women, Jewish Interest
Co-directed by the Iran-born Cannes Best Actress winner from Holy Spider (PSIFF 2023) and the Israel-born filmmaker behind Golda (PSIFF 2024), this tension-filled sports drama follows an Iranian judo champion who defies her country’s orders to forfeit a match, leading to dire consequences for her and her coach.
Saturday, January 4 • 6:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 7:15 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 6:30 pm • Festival Theaters
INDIA/USA, 2024, 127 minutes
Director: Reema Kagti
Cast: Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Film-related
Based on the life of aspiring filmmaker Nasir Shaik, who, short on funds but driven by his love of movies, sets out to remake a classic, enlisting his pals as cast and crew while transforming his small town of Malegaon into an unlikely dream factory.
Saturday, January 4 • 6:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 2:30 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Monday, January 6 • 4:15 pm • Festival Theaters
ITALY/USA, 2023, 118 minutes
Director: Paola Cortellesi
Cast: Paola Cortellesi, Valerio Mastandrea, Romana Maggiora Vergano
Genres: Black Comedy, Family Relations, History, Women, Music
A box office phenomenon in its native Italy, this surprising, humorous, and empowering musical melodrama follows an industrious working-class woman in post-WWII Rome as she rises above domestic violence to forge a brighter future for her daughter.
Friday, January 3 • 10:15 am • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 1:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 1:15 pm • Annenberg Theater
PERU/CHILE, 2024, 83 minutes
Director: Franco García Becerra
Cast: Nely Huayta, Richard Taipe, José Merma, Rubén Huillca
Genres: Coming of Age, Comedy, Indigenous, Environment, Family Friendly
An eight-year-old alpaca shepherd, elated by Peru’s potential qualification for the 2018 World Cup, finds his world in peril when a mining company threatens to poison the water, destroy the region’s delicate ecosystem, and jeopardize the future of his community.
Saturday, January 4 • 5:30 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 5 • 1:00 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Monday, January 6 • 5:15 pm • Festival Theaters
MALAYSIA/HONG KONG/SOUTH KOREA, 2024, 97 minutes
Director: Xiaoxuan Jiang
Cast: Saina, Undus, Qilemuge, Tonggalag, Qinartu Genres: Drama, Environment, Social Issues
As a centuries-old way of life fades in Mongolia, a herdsman leads a dual existence – tending his ranch by day and performing horse tricks for audiences by night. This intimate, award-winning drama is inspired by lead actor Saina’s real-life journey between the horse show world and his own personal challenges.
Sunday, January 5 • 1:15 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
Monday, January 6 • 3:00 pm • Festival Theaters
Wednesday, January 8 • 7:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 9:00 am • Festival Theaters
NEW ZEALAND, 2024, 124 minutes
Director: Miki Magasiva
Cast: Anapela Polataivao, Antonia Robinson, Dalip Sondhi, Nicole Whippy Genres: Music, Women, Youth/Teen, Indigenous
When grief-stricken Mareta takes a substitute teaching role at an elite prep school, she forms a choir to unite the privileged yet disconnected students. As they prepare for an all-school competition, her passion for life is reignited, transforming her students forever in this rousing crowd-pleaser.
Saturday, January 4 • 12:00 pm • Cinemark Century La Quinta
Sunday, January 5 • 7:15 pm • Palm Springs High School
Thursday, January 9 • 4:15 pm • Palm Springs High School
Friday, January 10 • 10:00 am • Camelot Theatres
ITALY/SOUTH AFRICA/USA, 2024, 100 minutes
Director: Gabriele Fabbro
Cast: Ydalie Turk, Umberto Orsini, Margherita Buy, Birba, Enzo Iacchetti
Genres: Drama, Family Relations
In this bittersweet portrait of a vanishing rural way of life, Dalia travels to Piedmont to care for her aging grandfather Igor, an expert forager. Armed with his field notes and loyal dog Birba, she searches for a prizewinning truffle to save his home.
Thursday, January 9 • 7:45 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Friday, January 10 • 10:00 am • Festival Theaters
Saturday, January 11 • 4:45 pm • Festival Theaters
Sunday, January 12 • 1:45 pm • Palm Canyon Theater
USA/TAHITI/FRENCH POLYNESIA, 2024, 107 minutes
Director: Bill Fishman
Cast: Billy Zane, Jon Heder, Camille Razat, Alaina Huffman, James Jagger, Rob Corddry, Tia Carrere, Richard Dreyfuss Genres: Comedy, Drama, Biography, Film-related
Based on a true story, Los Angeles architect Bernard Judge (Jon Heder) arrives in Tahiti for a new project and finds himself collaborating with none other than counterculture icon Marlon Brando (Billy Zane). Inspired by the beauty of the local atolls, the two embark on establishing a groundbreaking eco-resort.
Tuesday, January 7 • 7:30 pm • Annenberg Theater
Friday, January 10 • 10:00 am • Annenberg Theater
Sunday, January 12 • 4:15 pm • Annenberg Theater
UNITED KINGDOM, 2024, 132 minutes
Director: Nick Hamm
Cast: Claes Bang, Connor Swindells, Golshifteh Farahani, Jonah Hauer-King, Ellie Bamber, Rafe Spall, Emily Beecham, Jonathan Pryce, Ben Kingsley Genres: Action/Adventure, History, Period, Drama
In 1307, the power-hungry Austrian Hapsburgs encroach on peaceful Switzerland. Legendary crossbow marksman William Tell (masterfully played by Claes Bang, also at the festival in Bonjour Tristesse) realizes what matters most: his family and preserving his country's independence for future generations.
Friday, January 3 • 7:15 pm • Camelot Theatres
Sunday, January 5 • 2:00 pm • Camelot Theatres
Wednesday, January 8 • 10:30 am • Annenberg Theater
Saturday, January 11 • 4:45 pm • Camelot Theatres
AUSTRALIA, 2024, 98 minutes
Director: Bill Bennett
Cast: Chris Haywood, Jennifer Cluff, Laura Lakshmi, Pia Thunderbolt Genres: Road Movie, Religion/Spirituality, Relationships
Stubborn and cantankerous Australian director Bill Bennett adapts his own best-selling memoir chronicling his experience walking the 800-kilometer Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail across northern Spain just months before his 60th birthday.
Sunday, January 5 • 6:15 pm • Mary Pickford Theater
Monday, January 6 • 10:00 am • Palm Springs High School
Sunday, January 12 • 11:00 am • Camelot Theatres
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For generations, the Jessup family has been committed to serving the desert community. We’re both honored and proud of the opportunity to provide all Palm Springs International Film Festival’s critical support vehicles since its inception.
Hope you enjoy the movie!
Sincerely, Diane and Andrew Jessup
The Palm Springs International Film Festival is made possible with the commitment, effort, and generous support of our hundreds of volunteers.
Dahomey
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight
Everybody Loves Touda
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
Souleymane’s Story
ASIA
Agent of Happiness
Black Dog
Bun Tikki
Bushido
Headhunting To Beatboxing
How To Make Millions
Before Grandma Dies
Lost Ladies
Meeting With Pol Pot
Mistress Dispeller
Old Fox
Shambhala
Sunshine Superboys of Malegaon
To Kill a Mongolian Horse
Tokito: The 540-Day Journey of a Culinary
Maverick
A Traveler’s Needs
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In
Afternoons of Solitude
All About My Mother
Arcadia
Armand
Auction
Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story
Conclave
Drowning Dry
Emilia Pérez
The Exiles
Flow
Four Mothers
From Hilde, With Love
Ghost Trail
The Girl With the Needle
Grand Tour
Hanami
Hard Truths
Holy Mother
The Hungarian Dressmaker
I Am Nevenka
John Cranko
Julie Keeps Quiet
Kneecap
The Last Journey
Maldoror
Maria
Marco, The Invented Truth
Matador
Misericordia
My Late Summer
Nasty
Never Alone
The New Year That Never
Came
Odd Fish
Parthenope
The Penguin Lessons
The Quiet Ones
Quisling – The Final Days
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Rioja, The Land of a Thousand Wines
The Room Next Door
Santosh
Saturn Return
September 5
Sex
The Shameless Sons
A Sudden Glimpse To Deeper Things
Talk To Her
Tatami
There’s Still Tomorrow
Three Kilometers to the End of the World
Touch
Trifole
Vermiglio
The Wailing Waves
When Fall Is Coming
William Tell
Apocalypse in the Tropics
Igualada
I’m Still Here
Kill The Jockey
La Suprema
Manas
Memories of a Burning Body
Sujo
Through Rocks and Clouds
Transfers
Come Closer
From Ground Zero
Happy Holidays
His Own Way – The Cinema of Avi Nesher
Life
My Favourite Cake
My Sweet Land
No Other Land
Pink Lady
To a Land Unknown
Adrianne & the Castle
Babygirl
Bad Shabbos
Better Man
Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It
Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion
Bob Trevino Likes It
Bonjour Tristesse
Bring Them Home
Checkpoint Zoo
Color Book
Counted Out
The Day the Earth Blew
Up: A Looney Tunes
Movie
Desert Angel
Desire Lines
The Diamond King
Diane Warren: Relentless
Drive Back Home
Driver
The Friend
Good Men
Group Therapy
Homegrown
A House Is Not a Disco
I Don’t Understand You
I’m Your Venus
Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
Jean Cocteau
Lilly
Liza: A Truly Terrific
Absolutely True Story
The Last Showgirl
Love Me
Millers in Marriage
A Nice Indian Boy
Nickel Boys
Paper Flowers
Paul Anka: His Way
Presence
Queer
Sabbath Queen
Sacramento
Sally!
Schindler Space Architect
Shelf Life
Sing Sing
Space Cowboy
The Stamp Thief
Universal Language
Unstoppable
Walk With Me
Waltzing With Brando
Whatever It Takes
Wicked
Zurawski V. Texas
Audrey
The Correspondent
Every Little Thing
The Mountain
Tinā (Mother)
The Way, My Way
…with superb amenities in every suite and excellent proximity to outdoor attractions like Indian Canyons and VillageFest. See why we’re the “Golf Capital of the World” and ride a hot air balloon over the Santa Rosa Mountains when you aren’t admiring San Jacinto from your balcony
THERE’S STILL TOMORROW.............126 THREE KILOMETERS TO THE END OF THE WORLD
THROUGH ROCKS AND CLOUDS 127 TINĀ (MOTHER) 127 TO A LAND UNKNOWN ....................... 97 TO KILL A MONGOLIAN HORSE ......127 TOKITO: THE 540-DAY JOURNEY OF A CULINARY MAVERICK ..............114 TOUCH
Step into the sun-kissed settings where classic stars like Sinatra, Hope, and Monroe once found solace, and where today’s A-listers continue to unwind. Palm Springs remains the ultimate retreat for those who shape the world of entertainment. Explore the places where the past meets the present in every corner of our city, inviting you to become part of its legendary backdrop with every visit.
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