Harold’s Six Favorite 2023 Palm Springs Film Festival Moments

The 2023 Film Festival and Awards Gala felt extra special this year. After 2 years on hiatus due to the pandemic, you could feel the excitement as Palm Springs residents and honored celebrities came together again. Harold Matzner picked his top six moments from this…

Palm Springs International Film Awards To Present Sarah Polley With The Director Of The Year Award

Headshot of Sarah Polley

The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Sarah Polley is the recipient of the Director of the YearAward, for Women Talking. The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running through January 16, 2023. The event will be presented by American Express and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight and IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Toppling an Empire

Charlize Theron’s dramatic transformation as Megyn Kelly in Bombshell helps tell the story of several women at Fox News who expose CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. “Over the years, Charlize Theron has created so many memorable roles including her performances in Monster, North Country, Young Adult…” These…

Disco Fever at the PSIFF Closing Night Gala

Closing night for the 29th Annual Palm Springs International Film Fest was a trip down memory lane, with a presentation of The Last Movie Star, starring Burt Reynolds, and the announcements of the PSIFF Audience Award winners.  Skid Row Marathon was awarded with the uplifting audience favorite documentary feature…

Film Awards Gala Explodes With Hollywood Star Power

The star power was palpable at the Gala that kicks off Hollywood Awards Season, with names like Jessica Chastain, Willem DaFoe, Salma Hayek, and Gal Gadot gracing the guest list. Palm Springs International Film Festival Chairman Harold Matzner spoke on the fact that PSIFF Award…

Harold Matzner: The Brilliant Enigma

In this follow-up to a November article discussing the influential philanthropist of many hats, a few Coachella Valley’s more influential residents discuss their relationships with Harold Matzner, how their organizations became involved with him, and the brilliance behind the man whose name has become synonymous…

An Oral History of Mr. Palm Springs, As Told By Friends & Colleagues

Spencer’s owner, philanthropist, Chairman of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and Horatio Alger Award-winner Harold Matzner is a man held in high regard by his friends and associates. Now, they retell their experiences with him, touching on his charismatic personality, business acumen, and accomplishments… Click Here…

Gal Gadot’s Empowering Performance Nabs Her The Rising Star Award

Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot will be the recipient of her first Rising Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Says Palm Springs International Film Festival Chairman Harold Matzner: “Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman showed us a strong, capable, poised, curious and compassionate character, and…

And the Grand Prize at ShortFest 2017 Goes to…

“Facing Mecca” took home the Best of Festival prize, which included $5,000 from the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. Chairman of the Festival Board, Harold Matzner, stressed the significance of the experience and educational opportunities that filmmakers received as the true prize. Not…

The Stars Feel At Home At Palm Springs International Film Festival

The Palm Springs International Film Festival has evolved to be a spectacular affair both honoring and attended by Hollywood heavyweights the likes of Warren Beaty, Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams, Tom Hanks, and Natalie Portman… To Read Original Article at Forbes., Click Here: Forbes, January 10, 2017

“Hidden Figures” to Receive Ensemble Performance Award

HIDDEN FIGURES TO RECEIVE ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE AWARD AT 28th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM AWARDS GALA Palm Springs, CA (December 1, 2016) – The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present the cast of Hidden Figures with the Ensemble Performance…

Nicole Kidman to Receive International Star Award from PSIFF

NICOLE KIDMAN TO RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL STAR AWARD AT 28th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM AWARDS GALA Palm Springs, CA (November 28, 2016) – The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Academy Award® winning actress Nicole Kidman with the International…

Natalie Portman to Receive Desert Palm Achievement Award

NATALIE PORTMAN TO RECEIVE DESERT PALM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, ACTRESS AT 28th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM AWARDS GALA Palm Springs, CA (November 30, 2016) – The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Natalie Portman with the Desert Palm Achievement…

Harold Matzner’s nephew, Jason, wins praise for film at PSIFF ShortFest

by Bruce Fessier Not surprisingly, one of the smartest filmmakers to use ShortFest is a guy named Jason Matzner. Yes, he’s the nephew of the festival chairman, Harold Matzner. But Jason, who is Harold’s younger brother’s son from New Jersey, started as a child actor at 4, appearing in soap operas like “General Hospital” and…

Harold Matzner: Distinguished Honoree At Sunday Night Fever 2016

 ACT for MS, a local non-profit that provides therapy sessions, mobility assistance and other special support programs for free to those suffering with Multiple Sclerosis, recently held its annual March benefit gala honoring philanthropist Harold Matzner and remembering its founder Gloria Greer.  The event raised an…

Harold Matzner Closes Film Festival, Setting Stage For Oscars

By Betty Francis This year’s closing film, “Last Cab To Darwin” (Australia) and the after party at the Palm Springs Renaissance were impressive but drew a crowd slightly smaller than last year’s final events. My observation was that this was caused by a perfect storm…

Harold Matzner Helps Star Power Take Stage At Gala

By Bruce Fessier Fans lined the street across from the Palm Springs Convention Center, waiting for a glimpse of the stars being honored Saturday at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala. When Bryan Cranston, a local favorite as part owner of the Cinemas…