Palm Springs International Film Festival announces 2026 lineup
The 37th annual event will screen 169 films from 72 countries including 44 International Feature Film Oscar submissions from Jan. 2-12.
The 37th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival will open Jan. 2 with “Calle Malaga” and close Jan. 11 with “Glenrothan,” organizers announced Tuesday.
The festival will screen 169 films from 72 countries and territories, including 53 premieres, from Jan. 2-12. The lineup includes 44 of the International Feature Film Oscar submissions.
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Director Maryam Touzani’s “Calle Malaga” features actress Carmen Maura as an aging woman in Tangier fighting to keep her home. Touzani is expected to attend the opening night screening, which will take place at multiple venues.
Brian Cox will make his directorial debut with “Glenrothan,” in which he also stars alongside Alan Cumming as two estranged brothers reunited in their Scottish hometown. The closing night screening will take place at the Richards Center for the Arts at Palm Springs High School, with Cox expected to attend.
Among the notable guests expected at various screenings are actor Oscar Isaac, director Elvira Lind, actress Kim Novak, director Paul Feig, actor Edgar Ramirez, journalist Amy Goodman and director Anders Thomas Jensen.
“Our 2026 lineup is a celebration of the stories that move us, challenge us, and remind us why we love movies,” said Lili Rodriguez, artistic director of the Palm Springs International Film Society. “From family fun to bold new voices, from international masters to exciting first-time filmmakers, this year’s selections reflect the range of energy of world cinema today.”
New programming this year includes Gateway Films, a series celebrating films that sparked a lifelong love of cinema, curated by actress Diane Kruger, critic Leonard Maltin, director Paul Feig, programmer Therese Hayes and the late actor Udo Kier. The festival will also feature a German Country Spotlight showcasing nine films from German filmmakers.
Family Day will take place Jan. 11 at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater from noon to 4 p.m., featuring activities, food trucks and free film screenings at the Mary Pickford Theater.
The festival has added the Plaza Theatre as one of its venues this year.
Juried awards will be announced Jan. 11 for seven categories, including the FIPRESCI Prize for films in the International Feature Film Oscar Submissions program, New Voices New Visions Award, Best Documentary Award, Ibero-American Award, Desert Views Award and Young Cineastes Award.
On Jan. 7, The Hollywood Reporter will host a panel discussion with some of the directors whose films made the Best International Feature Film shortlist.
More information: The complete lineup is available at this link. The festival box office can be reached at 760-778-8979.
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