At a Glance
- Leonardo DiCaprio emphasizes cinema over content at Palm Springs Film Festival.
- 37th International Film Awards marks the start of Hollywood award season.
- Multiple actors and directors accept awards, with DiCaprio absent due to Venezuela flight cancellations.
- Why it matters: The event underscores the communal value of film and the industry’s push for original storytelling amid global challenges.
The Palm Springs Film Festival’s 37th International Film Awards opened Friday night, spotlighting original cinema amid a backdrop of political and logistical hurdles. Leonardo DiCaprio, who could not attend because flights were cancelled due to the Venezuela conflict, delivered a pre-recorded speech. The ceremony saw a range of actors and directors accepting awards, many of whom highlighted the importance of unity and community in filmmaking.
DiCaprio’s Message
DiCaprio urged audiences to keep cinema alive. He said that movies are meant to be experienced together in a theatre and that original films are harder to make and protect.
Leonardo DiCaprio stated:
> “Movies are still meant to be experienced, together, in a theatre. Right now, that belief matters more than ever. Original films are harder to make and harder to protect. But movies still matter, not content, but cinema. Stories made by people meant to be shared in a dark room in a communal experience,” he said.
Award Highlights
The ceremony honored a variety of talent across several categories.
- Michael B. Jordan accepted the Icon Award and urged continued original storytelling.
- Cyrus received the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award for her song “Dream As One” in “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
- Jane Fonda presented the Vanguard Award to Chloe Zhao, Paul Mescal, and Jessie Buckley for “Hamnet.”
- Guillermo del Toro took home the Visionary Award with his “Frankenstein” cast.
- Timothèe Chalamet received the Spotlight Award.
- Mahershala Ali presented the Career Achievement Award to Ethan Hawke.
- Amanda Seyfried accepted the Desert Palm Achievement Award from Hawke.
- Adam Sandler was honored with the Chairman’s Award by Laura Dern.
- Rose Byrne won the Breakthrough Performance Award for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.”
- Kate Hudson received the Icon Award for “Song Sung Blue.”
Michael B. Jordan said:
> “The films were honoring tonight inspire each other to do more, to be better, to see each other more clearly and make the world a brighter place. And maybe when the lights come up in the theater, we could step back into the sun together,” said the actor.
Cyrus said:
> “Numbers can make it feel like a sport, but performance runs so much deeper than a scoreboard, because each artist can bare their soul in a completely unique way and every contribution leaves its own mark on history,” she said.
Amanda Seyfried said:
> “I want to thank Leo for inspiring me to be an actor. So, it’s weird. It’s amazing to get this award. It’s the same title of the award, so it’s like sharing it with him? Sort of? Maybe,” said the actor.
Other Highlights
Other moments included a breathing exercise led by Jane Fonda and a stand-up routine from Adam Sandler.
- Jane Fonda led the audience in a breathing exercise before presenting the Vanguard Award.
- Adam Sandler delivered a short stand-up routine about a quieter life and Netflix.
- The festival concluded with the announcement of upcoming award events: the 31st Critics’ Choice Awards and the 83rd Golden Globes.
Adam Sandler said:
> “I’d probably still have a deal with Netflix. But I’d be paying them a monthly fee so I can watch Stranger Things last season,” he joked.
Key Takeaways
- DiCaprio’s pre-recorded speech highlighted the enduring value of shared cinema.
- The awards celebrated a range of artists who stressed unity and original storytelling.
- The festival marked the start of Hollywood’s award season and previewed upcoming events.
As the Palm Springs Film Festival wrapped up, the focus on community, originality, and the future of cinema resonated with attendees and the broader industry.
