Local & Community
Rancho Mirage filmmakers spotlight iconic desert artists in AmDocs premiere
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A new documentary by Rancho Mirage filmmakers Jon and Mary Orlin will debut this month at the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival in Palm Springs, highlighting the lives and creative partnership of Coachella Valley artists Karen Barone and Tony Barone.
The film, Something to Entertain You, follows the colorful and unconventional world of the Barones, a husband-and-wife artistic team known for their bold sculptures, paintings and multimedia works. Their large-scale public art pieces include whimsical rabbits, dogs and superhero-inspired figures, and can be seen throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond.
According to the filmmakers, the documentary explores how the Barones have turned everyday life into a form of artistic expression. The couple is known not only for their sculptures but also for weaving creativity into nearly every aspect of their lives, from the clothing they design and wear to the way they decorate their home and even their car.
The project began when the Orlins noticed the Barones’ oversized sculptures in the desert landscape and became curious about the artists behind them. What started as a simple idea grew into a six-year filmmaking journey documenting the couple’s creative process, personal story and shared philosophy about art and life.
The Barones’ work has been exhibited in galleries and public spaces around the world. Their sculptures are often fabricated from aluminum and painted in vivid colors, combining playful imagery with a distinctive pop-art style.
The filmmakers behind the project bring extensive experience in media and storytelling. Jon Orlin previously worked as an executive producer at CNN and helped launch digital video initiatives at Yahoo and TechCrunch. Mary Orlin is an Emmy Award-winning television producer and a James Beard Award-winning wine journalist.
Their film’s selection for the Palm Springs festival places it among a diverse lineup of documentary and animated films from around the world. The annual event draws filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences to the Coachella Valley to celebrate nonfiction storytelling.
For local audiences, the screening also represents a chance to see a homegrown documentary that highlights two artists whose vibrant work has become part of the desert’s visual identity.
The American Documentary and Animation Film Festival takes place each spring in Palm Springs and has grown into one of the region’s most prominent film events, showcasing hundreds of films and connecting filmmakers with new audiences.
Something to Entertain You will screen during the festival, offering viewers an inside look at the imaginative world of Karen and Tony Barone and the creative life they have built together.
By: NBC Palm Springs
March 16, 2026
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