Cinephiles rejoice! For the 37th year, Greater Palm Springs will roll out the red carpet and take its turn as Tinsel Town in early January as the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) returns. The event’s star-studded gala, special screenings, and over 160 films from across the world wow movie-goers and critics alike.  

The 2026 film fest runs from January 2-12, featuring 169 films from 72 countries — including 53 premieres. And one new twist is that the festival has added the historic and newly refurbished Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs as one of its venues. 

Whether you’re a PSIFF veteran or a newbie dipping your toe into the film fest pool, here are details, tips, and tricks you need to know to maximize your experience.  

Photos provided courtesy of PSIFF.​

Tickets

Tickets for the Palm Springs International Film Festival are already on sale and include single tickets for movies ($20) as well as special events like “Talking Pictures,” which include a Q&A with an actor or director from the movie ($30–$40). The full schedule for movies and events, as well as ticket purchasing options, can be found on their website here. Full festival passes are also available for purchase. The film festival box office number is 760-778-8979. 

Film Awards Gala

The crown jewel of the film fest every year is the red carpet Awards Gala, and with the list of stars already set to receive awards, this year’s edition is sure to be another hit. The gala will be held January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, and many of the seating levels are sold out, but options can be found at psfilmfest.org/film-awards/seats-and-tables. 

Awards honorees already announced who will be in attendance include:  

Leonardo DiCaprio: Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor 

Michael B. Jordan: Icon Award 

Adam Sandler: Chairman’s Award 

Amanda Seyfried: Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress 

Ethan Hawke: Career Achievement Award  

The cast of “Hamnet” (including director Chloe Zhao and actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal): The Vanguard Award 

The cast of “Sentimental Value” (including Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning): International Star Award 

Opening and Closing-Night Screenings

As is tradition, the Palm Springs International Film Festival selects a special film to kick off the event and one to close it out. This year, the fest will open with a screening of “Calle Malaga” on January 2 and end with the film “Glenrothan” on January 11. 

Calle Malaga:  A Spanish-language film directed by Maryam Touzani about an aging woman in Tangier, portrayed by Carmen Maura, fighting to keep her home. Touzani will be in attendance at the screening. 

Glenrothan:  The directorial debut of “Succession” star Bryan Cox, who stars in the film alongside Alan Cumming, is about two estranged brothers who reunite in their Scottish hometown. Cox will be in attendance at the screening.  

Both screenings include a reception afterward. Tickets for the opening night movie, which will show simultaneously at the Plaza Theatre, Annenberg Theater, and the Palm Springs Cultural Center, are $135 for the screening and reception. The closing night screening is at Palm Springs High School;tickets with the afterparty cost $75.  

Special Programming 

The Talking Pictures program is always one of the festival’s biggest hits as it constitutes a screening of a film, often featuring an Awards Gala honoree, followed by a Q&A with the actor, director, or writer. So far there are three scheduled but check back frequently as additional titles will be announced closer to the fest.  

Here are three already planned:  

Sunday, January 4: “King Hamlet” makes its California premiere. The film is directed by Elvira Lind and stars Oscar Isaac, both of whom are scheduled to attend. 

Tuesday, January 6: “The Librarians” director Kim A. Snyder will be on hand to discuss her film about the important role of librarians in a time when banning books is becoming normalized.  

Saturday, January 10: “The Housemaid” director Paul Feig will chat about his thriller that stars Palm Springs International Film Festival honoree Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney.  

Family Opportunity

This is something new this year — a Family Day presented by Acrisure Arena, featuring fun activities and food trucks at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 11. The Mary Pickford Theater will show free screenings of kid-friendly film “Arco,” a singalong version of “KPOP Demon Hunters,” and “Zootopia 2.” 

Pro Tips

I’ve been attending this film festival for almost two decades now, and I’ve learned a few tricks along the way. Here are some useful strategies for maximizing your experience. 

Want an autograph? The best place to see the biggest stars of Hollywood is in the fan zone across the street from where the celebrities are dropped off for the red carpet Awards Gala in front of the Palm Springs Convention Center. On Saturday, January 3 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. stars will pop out of SUVs and often, they come across the street to sign autographs for enthusiastic fans. It’s a fun, free atmosphere. You’ll definitely see celebs, and you may even get to interact with a few.  

Talk to other film-goers: While you’re in line waiting for a film, or perhaps already seated and waiting for a movie to start, this is the perfect time to talk to your neighbors. What’s the best film you’ve already seen? Any I should avoid? Where are you visiting from? There is a collegial nature among film fest attendees, and it’s one of the best parts of the experience. 

Do research: When it comes to ticket purchasing, read up on the films, find one or two that you know you’re going to like and buy those tickets in advance. To get a leg up at Oscar time, check out some Oscar prediction articles to see what foreign films might be nominated. PSIFF has 44 of the International Feature Film Oscar Submissions. That’s a good way to be confident the movie you’re going to will be a top-notch option.  

Accommodations

If you’re attending the film fest from out of town, there are all sorts of places to stay to suit your mood. Whether you want something quaint and quiet or want to be in the center of the action, Greater Palm Springs has what you’re looking for.  

The Hilton Palm Springs  is the host hotel for the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Here are some other options, all within walking distance or a short ride from screening venues: Alcazar Palm Springs, Avalon Hotel and Bungalows, Casa Cody, Dive Palm Springs, Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday House Palm Springs, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, The Paloma, Riviera Resort & Spa Palm Springs, The Saguaro Hotel & Pool, and the Thompson Palm Springs. 

From boutique retreats to luxurious resorts, explore more places to stay across our nine cities and keep the experience going long after the festival ends.