Lights, Camera, Action: Palm Springs International Film Festival Kicks Off Today

The spotlight is officially on Palm Springs as the 37th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) begins today, welcoming celebrities and film lovers from around the world.

Starting at noon today, the highly anticipated festival will showcase more than 170 films from 70 different countries, including 53 premieres. Screenings will run through January 12 at multiple venues across the city, including the Annenberg Theatre, Palm Springs High School, Arco Theatre, and other official festival theaters.

The festival’s biggest moment arrives tomorrow, Saturday, January 3, with the star-studded Film Awards ceremony at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The annual event is known for drawing some of Hollywood’s biggest names and is often considered a strong predictor of upcoming Academy Award nominations and winners.

Among this year’s honorees is Timothée Chalamet, who will receive the Spotlight Actor of the Year Award for his performance in Marty Supreme. Other celebrated stars expected to be recognized include Kate Hudson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Miley Cyrus.

In addition to film screenings, festivalgoers can attend PSIFF’s popular “Talking Pictures” series, which offers audiences the chance to hear directly from film casts and crews through special discussions and panels.

Tickets for individual screenings and special events are available now on the festival’s official website.

Viewers can also tune in to today’s midday newscast for an exclusive conversation with Palm Springs International Film Festival directors, who will discuss what’s new this year and highlight the festival’s education programs for local students. Coverage from the Film Awards ceremony and red carpet will follow tomorrow night.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival is officially underway—bringing ten days of cinema, stars, and storytelling to the desert.