PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — At the 37th annual Palm Springs International Film Awards, held Friday night, actor Leonardo DiCaprio delivered a compelling message about the essence of cinema that goes beyond the concept of mere content. Through a pre-recorded video acceptance of his award, DiCaprio stressed the importance of experiencing films collectively within theater settings. He said, “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.”
DiCaprio’s inability to attend the festival in person was attributed to disruptions caused by ongoing political turmoil in Venezuela, which led to widespread flight cancellations in the Caribbean region where he had been vacationing during the holiday season. His co-stars, Chase Infiniti and Teyana Taylor, were present to accept the award on his behalf.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival serves as a pivotal launchpad for Hollywood's awards season, and this year's 37th edition was marked by a series of heartfelt speeches that emphasized the necessity of artistic solidarity and the preservation of original storytelling and cinema-going experiences. The ceremony took place in Palm Springs, California, and gathered some of the most anticipated contenders from the film industry.
Actor Michael B. Jordan, upon receiving the Icon Award, urged his peers to continue prioritizing originality in storytelling, underscoring stories’ power to foster unity. He remarked, “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.”
Additionally, the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award was presented to recording artist Cyrus for her contribution “Dream As One,” featured in the film “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” She emphasized a shift towards community-mindedness among artists, advocating that creative professionals see one another as collaborators rather than competitors. She stated, “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.”
Jane Fonda took part in the ceremony by leading attendees in a breathing exercise, a ritual inspired by director Chloe Zhao, before presenting Zhao along with Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley the Vanguard Award for their work on “Hamnet.” Fonda highlighted Zhao's practice of these exercises prior to festival screenings, noting their impact on the artistic process.
Director Guillermo del Toro, accompanied by the cast of his film “Frankenstein,” accepted the Visionary Award. Del Toro reflected on his recent personal loss of his older brother and spoke about the timeless nature of Mary Shelley’s classic novel in the contemporary world, hinting at humanity's ongoing struggles with technological advances and societal divisions. He remarked, “We never learn, and sometimes the only way to talk about humanity is through monsters.”
Receiving the Spotlight Award, Timothée Chalamet focused his acceptance on the ambition and dreams of his character Marty Supreme, highlighting themes of pursuing greatness.
Another highlight of the evening was the Career Achievement Award presented to Ethan Hawke by Mahershala Ali, who shared how Hawke’s role in “Reality Bites” had influenced his burgeoning interest in acting. Hawke, during his acceptance, credited mentors and friends for shaping his career and remembered the late River Phoenix’s impact on his life, noting, “I stand here in front of you a sum accumulation of all of the individuals who helped shape me.”
Hawke returned to the stage to join Amanda Seyfried, with whom he starred in “First Reformed,” as she received the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress. Seyfried acknowledged the coincidental nature of receiving an award with the same title as DiCaprio's, stating, “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.”
Comedian Adam Sandler brought levity to the proceedings after receiving the Chairman’s Award from Laura Dern. Sandler’s acceptance featured a brief stand-up segment imagining an alternate life in which he pursued entertainment as a more private endeavor. He humorously speculated, “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.”
The International Star Award was accepted on behalf of the ensemble cast of “Sentimental Value,” while Rose Byrne was recognized with the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress, for her role in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” Byrne playfully noted the irony of receiving a breakthrough honor in her forties.
Concluding the ceremony, Kate Hudson accepted the Icon Award, Actress for her performance in “Song Sung Blue.” The festival continues to influence awards momentum leading into upcoming events such as the 31st Critics’ Choice Awards and the 83rd Golden Globes.