The Palm Springs International Film Awards was a gala event to remember. Heralded by Deadline as “…a must-stop on the way to the [Oscars] in March”, the star-studded evening celebrated the best in cinematic performance and production. Many recipients and hosts- even Steven Spielberg!- had…
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…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Brendan Fraseris the recipient of the Spotlight Award, Actorfor hisperformance in The Whale. The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running through January 16,…
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’s Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner will co-host the2023 Palm Springs International Film Awards, which will be previewed on this evening’s broadcast of the venerable newsmagazine program.The award show returns in-person on January 5, 2023 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with Media Partner…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Danielle Deadwyler is the recipient of the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress for her performance in Till.The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running through…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Viola Davis is the recipient of the Chairman’s Award recognizing her work as an actress and producer for The Woman King. The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023 at the Palm Springs…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Austin Butler is the recipient of the Breakthrough Performance Award for his performance in Elvis.The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running through January…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that The Fabelmans is the recipient of the Vanguard Award.The Vanguard Award is a group honor distinguishing a film’s cast and director in recognition of their collective work on an exceptional film project. The award will be…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Michelle Yeoh is the recipient of the International Star Award, Actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once. The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Cate Blanchett is the recipient of the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress, for Tár. The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running through…
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.
COLIN FARRELL WITH THE DESERT PALM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, ACTOR The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Colin Farrell is the recipient of the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor for his performance in The Banshees of Inisherin. The Film Awards will take place in-person…
We are so honored to see Spencer’s named on Palm Springs Life’s list of Best of the Best Outdoor Dining Spaces! Readers voted on their favorite restaurants, shops, and activities in the Coachella Valley across 20 categories. What is it that the readers love about…
“Jennifer Lopez is a star in every sense of the word, and you will experience this in her latest film ‘Hustlers,’” says Palm Springs Film Festival Chairman Harold Matzner regarding the Spotlight Award winner… Read full article here
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…
Joaquin Phoenix’s much lauded performance as the Joker has earned him the Chairman’s Award at the Palm Springs Film Festival Awards. Festival Chairman says Phoenix’s performance: “… elicits empathy and reminds society on the whole that we can be better…” Read full article here
Joaquin Phoenix, of “Walk The Line” fame (where he portrayed the legendary Johnny Cash) will be awarded with the Chairman’s Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Says Chairman Harold Matzner of the performance: “Joaquin Phoenix mesmerizes audiences in ‘Joker’ with a performance that…
Accomplished actress Renée Zellweger is receiving praise for her role as Judy Garland as the Palm Springs International Film Festival will award her with the Desert Palm Achievement Award. Chairman of the Palm Springs Film Fest, Harold Matzner, said of her performance, “This is a…
Coachella Valley mourned the loss of Ronald Auen, one of the area’s biggest philanthropists. Harold Matzner, fellow philanthropist and Chairman of The Palm Springs International Film Fest and McCallum Theatre acknowledged his passing, saying it was “an enormous loss to the valley and to all…
The Palm Springs Cultural Center hosted the most important short film festival in North America, The Palm Springs International Short Fest. Festival Chairman Harold Matzner and Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon took to the stage to talk up the event, and justifiably so. A record…
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…
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…
Sonny Bono’s legacy lives on, as his original idea, the Palm Springs International Film Fest, reaches new heights with Chairman Harold Matzner at the helm. Says Matzner of Bono’s dream: “There’s no question it was his idea,” he said. “He thought it would be good…
The Parker Palm Springs played host to the Creative Impact Awards, which celebrates Variety’s list of “10 Directors to Watch.” A number of the names acknowledged on the list coincided with Palm Springs International Film Fest nominees. Says Variety’s vice president and executive editor, Steven Gaydos…
A who’s who of Hollywood’s finest graced the red carpet of the Palm Springs Film Festival Awards Gala, including Rising Star Award winner Gal Gadot, acknowledged for her role in Wonder Woman. Says Chairman Harold Matzner in regards to what her role means to women…
Despite a tumultuous year of allegations, the red carpet rolled out to an enthusiastic bunch of Hollywood’s finest. It attracted a sell-out crowd of around 2,400 people, including the likes of Suzanne Somers and Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon and was expected to raise $2.5…
WILLEM DAFOE TO RECEIVE ICON AWARD AT 29th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM AWARDS GALA Palm Springs, CA (December 18, 2017) – The 29th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Willem Dafoe with the Icon Award for his performance in…
“THE SHAPE OF WATER” TO RECEIVE VANGUARD AWARD AT 29th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM AWARDS GALA Palm Springs, CA (December 1, 2017) – The 29th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present the film The Shape of Water with…
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…
This year’s Vanguard Award at the 2018 Palm Springs International Film Festival will go to the the cast and crew of “The Shape of Water,” the latest work from writer and producer Guillermo del Toro. Says Chairman Matzner of the Pacific Rim producer, “Guillermo del…
Gary Oldman returns to the Palm Springs International Film Festival to receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award for his performance as Winston Churchill during the turbulent times of World War II. This is the actor’s third trip to the Film Fest. Says Chairman Harold Matzner…
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…
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…
“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 level of Hollywood, Bollywood, and all-around star power was exceptionally high this year at the Palm Springs Film Awards Gala. The crowd of A-listers included the likes of Amy Adams, Casey Affleck, Joel Edgerton, Andrew Garfield, Ryan Gosling, Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman, and Dev Patel… To Read…
Comedic royalty Leslie Mann, husband Judd Apatow, and costar Robert DeNiro showed up glowing at screening for her film The Comedian at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. To Read Original Article at The Daily Mail, Click Here: The Daily Mail, January 16, 2017
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
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARDS BUZZ PROGRAM Palm Springs, CA (December 5, 2016) – The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF), scheduled January 2-16, 2017, announced the films selected to compete for the FIPRESCI Award in the Awards Buzz section. The…
AMY ADAMS TO RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S AWARD AT 28th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM AWARDS GALA Palm Springs, CA (December 9, 2016) – The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Amy Adams with the Chairman’s Award for her performance in…
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 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, 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…
LIONSGATE’S LA LA LAND TO RECEIVE VANGUARD AWARD AT 28th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM AWARDS GALA Palm Springs, CA (November 21, 2016) – The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present the film La La Land with the Vanguard…
RUTH NEGGA TO RECEIVE THE RISING STAR AWARD AT 28th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM AWARDS GALA Palm Springs, CA (November 16, 2016) – The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Ruth Negga with the Rising Star Award at…
Tom Hanks will be honored at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January by Chairman Harold Matzner. The PSIFF has announced that Hanks will receive this year’s Icon Award. To Read Full Article at The Wrap, Click Here: thewrap.com, November 10, 2016
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…
On behalf of my Board of Directors, I want to welcome you to the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films, also known as ShortFest. This is really quite a fantastic event (and I don’t usually say that about events that don’t make a dime)! …
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…
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…
By Betty Francis For more than a decade of Januaries, I’ve been saying to friends and family, “Don’t try to reach me next week, I’ll be on Planet Film Fest.” This year, the PSIFF orbit exploded from a planet into an international universe, as it…
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…
Welcome to our showcase of the filmmakers of the future. You’re about to embark on a dazzling journey of discovery within the walls of the stylish, state-of-the-art Camelot Theatre. Over the next seven days, you’ll have the opportunity to view more than 300 remarkable films…
By Betty Francis I must thank Robert Duvall, who provided the theme for this report on the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala. When Terri Ketover, co-chair (with Garry Kief) of the after-party, introduced me as a “society reporter” Duvall quipped, “Good – let’s…
