2024 marked the first Palm Springs International Film Festival since Harold Matzner’s retirement as Chairman. Now, Nachhattar Singh Chandi serves as the Chairman, with Harold Matzner as Immediate Past Chairman. During Thursday’s Awards Gala, Chandi gave his first speech as Chairman, acknowledging Harold’s contributions to the Awards Gala, Film Festival, and desert community as a whole. The room rose to their feet, giving Harold a standing ovation for his 24 years of service to the Palm Springs Film Festival.
Chandi told The Desert Sun, “It was very special to have him here, this is very personal to me and very touching. Harold spent 24 years building this gala. I know the amount of time he put in. Sometimes we have called each other at 10 p.m. or 6 a.m. for the last month and a half to put this gala together. What he did for this festival and for the entire community in the Coachella Valley, I don’t have any words I can express. I love the man, he’s one-of-a-kind.”
The evening’s programs included another tribute to Harold from the Palm Springs Film Society, reading:
“Harold Matzner- Thank you and Congratulations! Harold, your brilliant and enthusiastic leadership has had an invaluable impact on the success of the Film Awards, annual festivals, member programs, and our city. With Much Appreciation, the Palm Springs Film Society”
The next morning at the Variety Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors to Watch Brunch, Variety Executive Vice President Steven Gaydos also thanked former Palm Springs International Film Festival Chairman Harold Matzner, who received another standing ovation. “Every film festival in the world, and this is coming from a guy who wrote a book on film festivals, needs a Harold Matzner,” Gaydos said. “This festival has been blessed with having him dragging, kicking, screaming, funding and doing everything a festival needs to be a first-rate, exciting event for film lovers.”
Photos by Andy Abeyta for the Desert Sun and Michael Bucker for Variety