Lights, Camera, and Back in Action

The 34th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival

By Catherine (Cat) Barr catbarr@turnernewsmedia.com

Chances are, if you’ve won an Oscar over the last few years, you probably owe a big round of applause to the Palm Springs International Film Festival. With the exception of the last two years, the ‘PSIFF’ has been home to the best in the biz, where they’ve rolled out the red carpet for every A-Lister in Hollywood and beyond. This year, everyone was back live and in person for one of the most glamorous gala events of the season.

And since Palm Springs is also the second home to many of us here in Vancouver, it only makes sense to celebrate with our famous friends down south as awards season is in full swing and the biggest night of them all is right around the corner - The Academy Awards.

So who will take home the Oscars this year? Well, down in the desert, they’ve already made their picks, and every single one is a winner.

Michelle Yeoh, whom you’ll remember as a Bond girl in Tomorrow Never Dies and from Crazy Rich Asians, is outstanding in the movie Everything Everywhere All At Once. A must-see film.

Both Cate Blanchett and Viola Davis also add to the powerhouse women’s category by portraying two very different leaders - Blanchett as the embattled composer-conductor Lydia Tár, and Davis as the warrior leader Nanisca in The Woman King

Canadian director Sarah Polley is still making it big with her film Women Talking, which really does have everyone talking. And handsome lead man Brendan Fraser continues to receive much-deserved praise for taking on a difficult and different role in The Whale

Among legends, there is no man more important to film than veteran writer/ director Steven Spielberg. With a list of accolades and awards longer than this page, Spielberg draws from his own life to bring the script of The Fablemans to life. Sharing the spotlight with his cast members this year, the ensemble took home the honourable Vanguard Award for their outstanding work.

Congrats to everyone - and we’ll see you on the red carpet again in 2024.