Average highs are expected to range from 72-83 degrees over the next 10 days in Palm Springs—reason enough for sun worshippers to plan an impromptu trip to the Coachella Valley. When you factor in the celebrity star power on hand for the 29th Annual Palm Springs International FIlm Festival, running now through January 15, a trip to the desert sounds like a positively heartwarming experience.
Best of all, tickets are still available for this star-studded event, one of North America's largest. Produced by the Palm Springs International Film Society, the Festival offers 14 days of events and film screenings featuring more than 180 films including Call Me By Your Name, I, Tonya, Phantom Thread, and The Post. More than 135,000 attendees are expected this year.
Jessica Chastain, Gal Gadot, Holly Hunter, Allison Janney, Mary J. Blige, Willem Dafoe, Armie Hammer, Peter Fonda, and Gary Oldman were among the big-name performers at Tuesday night's Gala event. Indeed, this festival has become a crucial stop en route to the Academy Awards, and many would-be nominees work the crowds in hope of securing an Oscar nod.
In addition to the many screenings over the next week-and-a-half, special presentations include "Foreign Language Oscars Directors in Discussion," moderated by Variety's Peter DeBruge as well as a series of "Talking Pictures" screenings featuring conversations with acclaimed filmmakers. Closing Night festivities are scheduled for January 14 and the Best of Fest awards will be handed out the following night.
