The Palm Springs International Film Festival Is A Mecca For Stars Like Tom Hanks And Nicole Kidman

All the author's accommodations and travel to the Palm Springs International Film Festival were paid for by The Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau.

In January 1990, the very first Palm Springs International Film Festival opened to humble beginnings. Spearheaded by Sonny Bono, the city’s late mayor, a mere 100 people attended the opening night gala. The event lasted five days. But Bono saw great potential for the festival that he nurtured. “I feel certain that this annual event will continue to prosper, grow and take its place among the most significant international film festivals, marking another milestone in the cultural life, progress and prestige of our city,” Bono once said.

As Bono predicted, the festival has become one of the most important and well-respected film festivals in the United States. The two week event which now attracts more than 136,000 filmgoers is considered be a good Oscar predictor as many of the films shown are nominated for Academy Awards. In fact, in 1990, the opening film was Cinema Paradiso and would go on to win the Academy Award for the best foreign film. The festival continues to have serious cred. Artistic director Michael Lerman, who also serves as head of programming for the Toronto International Film Festival, showcases the best in world cinema. And the festival screens 43 of the 85 official submissions to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Best Foreign Language Film.

Held just last week, this year’s 28th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards Gala was a dazzling affair which honored many talented filmmakers including Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams, Natalie Portman, the cast of Hidden Figures and many others. More than 2000 people filled the Palm Springs Convention Center as the evening was hosted by Mary Hart and sponsored by Chopard, Entertainment Tonight and Mercedes-Benz.

In addition to the film festival, the allure of Palm Springs with its pink mountain landscape, peachy sunsets and giant sky wasn’t lost on anyone. "I do love Palm Springs," offered Warren Beatty. "What's not to love about it?" said Casey Affleck. Suzanne Somers explained that she discovered the place 40 years ago when she was looking for peace. “I was on Three’s Company which was the number one show in the country and had small children,” said Somers who lives in Palm Springs full time. “The heat from the paparazzi on both sides of my house in Los Angeles was too much for all of us. So I came here to find some privacy and we found our place on the hill. It changed our life.” And Nicole Kidman was grateful to be there. “I love the chill factor of Palm Springs,” shared a radiant Kidman who received the International Star Award for the film Lion. “The vibe is so easy.”

See more photos from the Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards Gala below.