The 35th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards took place last night, kicking off awards season with a glamorous red carpet event honoring some of the year’s best cinema. Major stars turned out to celebrate the best in film over the past year.
Margot Robbie Stuns in Hot Pink
Margot Robbie led the pack of A-list talent bringing major fashion to the desert, wearing a custom hot pink polka dot Balmain mini dress and matching heels as she arrived with husband Tom Ackerley. Channeling her upcoming role as Barbie, Robbie looked every inch the doll come to life.
Her vibrant, fun outfit set the tone for a celebratory evening while also previewing her take on the iconic Mattel character. Robbie is tipped as an early Best Actress contender for her performance in the Greta Gerwig directed film, out this summer.
“She kicked off awards season in baby pink polka dots,” noted PEOPLE Style.
Robbie was honored with the Creative Impact in Acting Award during the star-studded ceremony.
Emma Stone Delights in Louis Vuitton
Fellow Best Actress possibility Emma Stone glowed in a feathered, steel blue Louis Vuitton shift dress and statement necklace. She took home this year’s Spotlight Award for her lead performance in Poor Things, the unconventional dramedy based on Alasdair Gray’s novel from director Yorgos Lanthimos.
Alongside her was Poor Things co-star and past Palm Springs honoree Willem Dafoe. Variety noted that Poor Things was among the most buzzed about titles featured at the festival.
Mulligan, Blanchett, and More in the Mix
Carey Mulligan brought Old Hollywood glam with a structured black Prada gown and fabulous diamonds, while Cate Blanchett stunned in an archival Roberto Cavalli number.
Both actresses are earning raves for their lead turns in Tár and TÁR respectively. They are considered front runners for Actress nominations this awards season.
Other standouts included Lily Gladstone in rasberry custom Prada, Taraji P. Henson in a strapless black velvet number, and Eva Longoria pulling out all the stops in a liquid gold one shouldered gown.
Colman Domingo’s “Surreal” Win
One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when The Woman King star Colman Domingo accepted the International Star Award. Visibly moved, Domingo described the honor and seeing representation like The Woman King embraced as “surreal.”
“It’s about time we see these images on screen!” he said during his speech. “Here’s to more stories that represent the whole of humanity.”
The actor was brought to tears again when co-star Viola Davis introduced him with a heartfelt tribute from the stage.
Davis took home the Chairman’s Award in what she called the highlight of her long career. “The Woman King was a seminal moment for me as an artist, an actor, as a Black woman,” she shared. “This film was my love letter to the women who came before me.”
Austin Butler “Overwhelmed” by Breakthrough Award
Fresh off his Golden Globe win, up and coming superstar Austin Butler scored another massive honor in the form of the Breakthrough Performance Award.
For his heralded portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic, Butler has emerged as the Best Actor frontrunner after a series of wins from critics groups this season.
The rising A-lister gave an emotional speech upon receiving his trophy, admitting to feeling “overwhelmed and filled with gratitude.”
”So many legendary actors have stood on this stage before me,” said a visibly overwhelmed Butler. ”I don’t know how I ended up here but I am grateful beyond words.”
Butler was supported at the ceremony by real life girlfriend Kaia Gerber.
Career Honors for Downey Jr, Streep and Eilish
Industry legends were celebrated over the course of the evening as well, with icon status confirmed through Career Achievement Awards.
Robert Downey Jr. was the epitome of cool as he accepted his trophy, while the legendary Meryl Streep brought her trademark warmth and wisdom.
Musical phenom Billie Eilish gave a heartfelt speech upon receiving the Breakthrough Music Artist honor alongside producer brother Finneas O’Connell. Still just 22 years old, Eilish has already cemented her status as a generational talent with multiple Grammy wins under her belt.
The brother-sister duo wowed the crowd with an intimate performance of Eilish’s soulful title song from new film Music For A Sushi Restaurant. They stuck around to introduce friend Emma Stone and shone a light on her offbeat performance piece in Poor Things.
The Best of Film in 2023
In a year full of standout cinema, the Palm Springs Film Festival offers a perfect launching point for some major Oscar contenders.
Top honorees like Tár, The Woman King, Elvis and The Banshees of Inisherin head into awards season with plenty of buzz and multiple nominations expected. Smaller titles earning recognition, such as Aftersun and the Daniels’ genre blending sensation Everything Everywhere All At Once, also stand to make an impression with Academy voters.
With Golden Globes season underway and Oscar nominations just weeks away, last night offered both an intimate peek at favorites while also allowing discoverability for international gems. Based on the reactions of the star-studded crowd, Clement Virgo’s searing Brother promises to be one dark horse to watch as we move deeper into the 2024 race.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival continues through January 16th with a packed slate of screenings, special events with talent in attendance, industry panels and star tributes.
KESQ News Channel 3 described the annual January gathering as “more than just handing out awards…Palm Springs has become an essential stop on the campaign trail to the Academy Awards.”
With early Oscar predictions in overdrive, last night’s standout style and emotional speeches have us eager to see which nominees and films ultimately come out on top next month.
| Attendance | Award Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Margot Robbie & Tom Ackerley | Creative Impact in Acting | Margot Robbie |
| Emma Stone & Willem Dafoe | Spotlight Award | Emma Stone |
| Carey Mulligan | Best Actress Contenders | Tár, She Said |
| Cate Blanchett | Best Actress Contenders | TÁR |
| Lily Gladstone | Best Actress Contenders | Killers of the Flower Moon |
| Taraji P. Henson | The Color Purple musical | |
| Eva Longoria | Flamin’ Hot | |
| Colman Domingo & Viola Davis | International Star | Colman Domingo |
| Austin Butler & Kaia Gerber | Breakthrough Performance | Austin Butler |
| Robert Downey Jr. | Career Achievement | Robert Downey Jr. |
| Meryl Streep | Career Achievement | Meryl Streep |
| Billie Eilish & Finneas O’Connell | Breakthrough Music Artist | Billie Eilish |
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