The 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival recently revealed its Jury Award winners. The festival took place from January 2 to January 13, 2025, showcasing a total of 165 films, 68 of which were premieres, representing over 71 countries. The diverse lineup included categories such as Talking Pictures, New Voices, and World Cinema, along with 35 entries for the Academy Awards’ International Feature Film category.
Among the announced awards, the International Federation of Critics honored “I’m Still Here” (Brazil), directed by Walter Salles, with the Best International Feature Film Award. The film was commended for its powerful portrayal of a mother’s struggles amid a dictatorial regime without resorting to melodrama. The Best International Screenplay Award went to “Vermiglio” (Italy), directed by Maura Delpero, for subverting traditional wartime narratives through a female perspective.
In acting categories, Zoe Saldaña received the Best Actress award for her role in “Emilia Perez” (France), praised for showcasing her range and depth despite being a supporting character. The Best Actor award was given to the ensemble cast of “Kneecap” (Ireland), recognized for their authentic performances as musicians.
The festival also acknowledged significant documentaries, with “No Other Land” (Palestine) winning the Best Documentary Award for its exploration of Palestinian lives amid conflict. “The Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story” (Ireland/UK) received a special documentary award, highlighting the artistic legacy of one of Ireland’s foremost writers.
Additionally, the New Voices New Visions Award was presented to “The New Year That Never Came” (Romania), showcasing the next generation of filmmakers. The Special Ibero-American Award went to “Manas” (Brazil/Portugal) while “Sujo” (Mexico) won the main Ibero-American Award, both celebrating the creativity in the Latin American cinema landscape.
The festival continues to serve as a vital platform for international filmmakers, recognizing innovative storytelling and diverse cinematic voices.The recent Latino Film Festival showcased a range of compelling films and awarded several notable titles. One of the key winners was “Sujo,” a film that was praised for its sensitive narrative about a young boy navigating violence and poverty in a Mexican town. The jury highlighted its strong performances, poetic cinematography, and the unexpectedly hopeful ending, cementing Astrid Londero and Fernanda Valadez’s status as emerging talents in Mexican cinema.
The Desert Views Special Award was granted to “Desert Angel,” directed by Vincent DeLuca, while “Checkpoint Zoo,” directed by Joshua Zeman, received the Desert Views Award. This film, recognized by a local jury, depicts the community spirit among a group of Ukrainians who gained attention during the early phases of the Russian invasion through their courageous animal rescue efforts.
In the Young Cineaste category, the Special Award went to “Superboys of Malegaon” by Reema Kagti, while the award for best film was bestowed upon “Tatami,” a collaboration between Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Natif. The Young Cineastes jury, made up of high school students, selected “Tatami” for its unique visual storytelling and exploration of resilience within political contexts.
Additionally, the Bridging Borders Special Award was given to “Happy Holidays,” directed by Skandar Copti, with “The Story of Suleiman” by Boris Rozhkine winning the Bridging the Borders Award. This award acknowledges films that promote unity and connection across various dividing lines in society.
The festival is set to return for its next installment from June 24 to 30, 2025, continuing its mission of celebrating diverse voices in cinema.