Palm Springs International Airport is showcasing the 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF), which highlights Oscar nominees and international films. The festival opens with the unconventional biopic “Better Man,” featuring British pop star Robbie Williams as a CG chimpanzee narrating his life story. Artistic Director Liliana Rodriguez describes the film, directed by Michael Gracey, as moving and a unique perspective on fame and resilience.
This year’s festival will feature a diverse lineup of 164 films from 71 countries, concluding on January 13 with “The Penguin Lesson,” starring Steve Coogan. The festival is expected to attract numerous award nominees, highlighted by the January 3 Film Awards, which celebrate talents like Mikey Madison, Timothée Chalamet, Nicole Kidman, and Angelina Jolie, among others. Additionally, the January 4 brunch will honor notable directors and actors including Jacques Audiard and Jennifer Lopez.
Colman Domingo, the 2024 Rustin winner, will receive the festival’s Spotlight Award for his emotional performance in “Sing Sing.” He emphasizes the film’s significance in addressing healing and justice through storytelling, as it portrays the journey of an incarcerated man striving to prove his innocence.
The PSIFF also presents “Lily,” a film directed by Rachel Feldman, which tells the story of equal pay activist Lily Ledbetter and her groundbreaking lawsuit against Goodyear Tire. Feldman reflects on the personal impact of the film, noting Ledbetter’s support and her heartfelt attendance at the premiere before her passing.
This year, the festival expands across the Coachella Valley, including the new La Quinta venue. Family Day will feature film screenings aimed at younger audiences, such as Latvia’s Oscar-winning animation “Flo” and Rachel House’s coming-of-age drama “The Mountain.”
The festival will screen 35 international Oscar submissions, including significant works from Brazil, Germany, and Senegal. Rodriguez highlights the importance of fostering connections among filmmakers during the festival, enabling them to interact and share experiences that are often rare in the industry.