A red carpet gala with megawatt Hollywood stars, new movie premieres, and thoughtful discussions to engross every cinephile: These are the trappings one comes to expect from a top-notch film festival, and that’s what you’ll find at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, back for its 36th year.

The film festival runs from Jan. 2–13, 2025 and will feature more than 150 movie screenings with entries from 71 countries. In all, 68 films will be making their premiere at this year’s festival. 

Here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect film festival experience! 

Photos provided courtesy of PSIFF.​

Tickets

Tickets for the Palm Springs International Film Festival are already on sale. Movie buffs can choose from single screenings and special events like “Talking Pictures,” which include a Q&A with a star or director of the movie after the screening. Tickets for a regular screening are $20. The full schedule for movies and events as well as ticket purchasing options can be found at www.psfilmfest.org. Full festival passes are also available for purchase.

Film Awards Gala

The crown jewel of the Palm Springs International Film Festival is the Film Awards Gala, which takes place on Friday, Jan. 3, and features a chance to hobnob with the stars of the biggest films of the year as they traverse a red carpet and then accept awards at a luxurious event. Individual tickets are sold out, but tables are still available for purchase. Some of the stars planning to attend this year are Timothée Chalamet, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Kieran Culkin, Ariana Grande, Colman Domingo, Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison and the cast of "Emelia Pérez." 

Opening and Closing-Night Films

The film festival opens and closes with special screenings and special guests. 

Opening-night movie: The opening-night film on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, is “Better Man," a musical biopic about and starring British pop star Robbie Williams. The film chronicles his journey from boy band heartthrob to solo icon. It’s directed by Michael Gracey, who was also behind “The Greatest Showman" and is expected to attend the opening-night screening. A reception at the Palm Springs Air Museum will follow the screening. Tickets are still available.

Closing-night film: The closing-night screening on Jan. 12 will be “The Penguin Lessons” starring Steve Coogan and directed by Peter Cattaneo, who is expected to be at the screening. In this dramedy, Coogan portrays an English school teacher whose life and those of his students is changed after rescuing a penguin.

Special Programming 

Talking Pictures are a film fest fave, as they feature a screening of an award-caliber movie immediately followed by a lively Q&A, usually with the actors or director of the film. Two are scheduled so far, but keep checking availability as new ones are often added right up until the start of the event. Tickets are $45.

• Friday, Jan. 3 at 10 a.m.: Actor Colman Domingo will be on hand to chat after a screening of his movie “Sing Sing.”
• Saturday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m.: The cast of “Emilia Perez,” including stars Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón, Edgar Ramirez, and director Jacques Audiard will chat after a screening of their film. 

Check their schedule for other special programming such as film-inspired dinners, family day, coffee chats, and film-makers panels are also available.

Pro Tips

Attending the film festival for the first time? Here are a couple ideas to help you navigate the event and get the most out of your experience! 

Star search: Want to see the Hollywood stars without paying big bucks for the Film Awards Gala? Be in the crowd for the red-carpet arrivals. Celebrities arrive before the Awards Gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center, and the street is lined with autograph seekers and fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite star (some will even walk over to sign memorabilia and take selfies with fans). It’s one of the most exciting parts of the fest, and it’s free! 

Plan ahead: Many film screenings, particularly ones that are generating a lot of buzz, sell out quickly, so definitely plot out your game plan early and purchase tickets for the films you want to see well in advance. 

Chat with your neighbors: One of the best parts of a film festival is talking with the other patrons in line, or chatting up the film-goer sitting next to you in the theater before the film starts. A simple “Have you seen any movies you liked?” is one of the best ways to get recommendations for films to see.

What’s New? 

One of the biggest developments for this year’s film festival is for Greater Palm Springs residents or visitors in the East Valley. For the first time, film festival screenings will happen in the city of La Quinta, as the Cinemark Century La Quinta will show films on Saturday and Sunday both weekends of the fest (check the schedule to see which ones!). 

Accommodations

There is no shortage of places to stay in Greater Palm Springs.  Whether you prefer the serene setting of a boutique hotel or a large resort with lots of amenities, there's something for everyone. The Hilton Palm Springs is the host hotel for the Palm Springs International Film Festival and is also close to all the action. Here are a few more viable options, all within walking distance or a short car ride from screening venues: Alcazar Palm Springs, Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday House Palm Springs, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, The Paloma, and Thompson Palm Springs.