Rose Byrne to Receive Breakthrough Performance Award at Palm Springs Film Festival

The Palm Springs International Film Awards will honor actress Rose Byrne with the Breakthrough Performance Award for her performance in "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You" at the ceremony on January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Byrne won the Silver Bear for Best Lead Performance at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival for the role. She has also received Best Actress from the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Best Lead Performance from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and nominations from the Critics' Choice Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, Golden Globes, and Gotham Awards.

"Rose Byrne delivers a fearless and electrifying performance in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You," said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. "Her portrayal of Linda—a mother unraveling under pressure—grounds this bold, unsettling film with raw emotion which lingers long after the credits."

The A24 film, directed and written by Mary Bronstein, follows Linda as she attempts to navigate her child's mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist. The cast includes Conan O'Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Christian Slater, and A$AP Rocky.

Byrne is an Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actress from Sydney, Australia. She previously starred in "Damages" opposite Glenn Close, earning two Golden Globe nominations and one Emmy nomination. Her film credits include "Bridesmaids," "Spy," "Peter Rabbit," and "28 Weeks Later." She won the Volpi Cup at the 2000 Venice Film Festival for "The Goddess of 1967."

Past Breakthrough Performance Award recipients include Mikey Madison, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Jennifer Hudson, Brie Larson, and Lupita Nyong'o. Six honorees—Marion Cotillard, Jennifer Hudson, Brie Larson, Mikey Madison, Lupita Nyong'o, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph—went on to win Academy Awards.

Byrne joins previously announced honorees including Michael B. Jordan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Hudson, Ethan Hawke, and Adam Sandler.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival runs from January 2-12, 2026. The Film Awards ceremony is presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight. For festival information and tickets, visit the Palm Springs International Film Society website.