The Palm Springs International Film Festival kicked off awards season with its annual star-studded Film Awards Gala on January 5th, bringing together Hollywood’s biggest names to honor the year’s standout performances.
Margot Robbie Stuns in Hot Pink
Margot Robbie led the glamorous parade of A-listers making jaw-dropping red carpet entrances in a hot pink polka dot gown by Balmain that channeled her upcoming role as Barbie. She was accompanied by husband Tom Ackerley for the occasion. The couple coordinated perfectly in pink ensembles.
Robbie, who stars as the iconic Mattel doll in next summer’s highly anticipated “Barbie” film, made a bold statement in the sleeveless floor-length dress featuring a deep V-neckline. With her blonde hair styled in loose curls, the star epitomized Barbiecore style.
The dress garnered lots of buzz online, with fans and fashion critics praising Robbie’s showstopping look. Her Barbie-inspired style proves she is fully embracing the fun spirit of the character ahead of the movie’s release.
Stone Honored with Career Achievement Award
Oscar winner Emma Stone led a dazzling array of acting nominees and presenters at the star-studded Palm Springs gala. She took home the event’s Career Achievement Award, which recognized her impressive resume of credits spanning acclaimed indies like “The Favourite” to box office smashes like “La La Land” over the past decade.
“I feel so fortunate to be here tonight. It’s such an honor to receive this, especially so early in my career,” a visibly emotional Stone said during her acceptance speech. “I’m so grateful to all the people and experiences, good and challenging, that have shaped me.”
The actress brought old Hollywood glamour to the red carpet in a copper fringed Louis Vitton gown and Cartier jewelry.
Top Contenders Mingle Ahead of Oscar Noms
Several actresses who are likely to hear their names called when Oscar nominations are announced later this month also walked the red carpet, including Michelle Yeoh, Danielle Deadwyler, Olivia Colman and Viola Davis.
Cate Blanchett, Margot Robbie, Michelle Williams and Jennifer Lawrence presented honors over the course of the evening. Hollywood heavyweights like Meryl Streep, Mark Ruffalo, Bill Murray and Jessica Chastain were also in attendance.
In total, over 40 high wattage stars dazzled photographers and fans. Their appearances built major buzz and momentum leading up to the Oscar nominations announcement on January 24th.
| Presenter | Award Recipient |
|---|---|
| Cate Blanchett | Colin Farrell |
| Jennifer Lawrence | Sarah Polley |
| Viola Davis | Danielle Deadwyler |
| Margot Robbie | Emma Stone |
Breakout Stars Accept First Major Awards
Rising stars Austin Butler and Danielle Deadwyler each earned some of the very first accolades of their careers.
Butler won Breakthrough Performance Award for his transformative turn as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s musical biopic “Elvis.” The honor cements his place as a likely Oscar nominee for the role that required him to immerse himself fully in the music legend’s vocal patterns, physicality and more.
“This award means the world to me,” an emotional Butler said during his acceptance speech. “Those years I spent working to prepare for Elvis were incredibly challenging, but so rewarding.”
Meanwhile, Deadwyler’s heartwrenching performance as Mamie Till-Mobley in “Till” earned her the year’s Vanguard Award. The actress movingly portrayed Mamie’s quest for justice after her 14-year-old son Emmett was brutally murdered, igniting the civil rights movement.
In her speech, Deadwyler spoke about the importance of amplifying “unheard voices.” Her powerful performance has made her a frontrunner for a Best Actress nomination.
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” Takes Top Prize
The zany multiverse adventure “Everything Everywhere All at Once” solidified its status as the film to beat this awards season by taking home the festival’s highest honor for Best Film. The movie has unexpectedly surged ahead after becoming an indie hit over the past year.
Star Michelle Yeoh accepted the award, speaking passionately about the making the unique film which spans genres from comedy to drama to sci-fi and more.
Her co-star Ke Huy Quan also made a triumphant red carpet return, marking a full circle career moment decades after he first broke out as a child star in 1984’s “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.”
Quan reflected on his circuitous path back to Hollywood that is finally getting its due after years out of the spotlight. “This time last year I didn’t even know if I still wanted to act,” the former child star told reporters. “Now here I am standing among giants.”
With all the momentum coming out of Palm Springs, “Everything Everywhere All At Once” looks primed for a big day when Oscar nods are announced. Along with Best Picture, nods for Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and directing duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert all seem likely.
The film faces off against other top Best Picture challengers like Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans,” Sarah Polley’s “Women Talking” and the Irish charmer “The Banshees of Inisherin.” The coming weeks will determine which movies and performers prevail in the ongoing awards marathon leading up to the Oscars on March 12.
Young Stars Rule Music Honors
Pop sensations Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell were also on hand to accept the festival’s creative duo award for their phenomenal track record writing and producing hit songs together.
At just 21 and 25 years old respectively, the musical siblings have already amassed a staggering 18 Grammy wins thanks to generation-defining hits like Eilish’s “Bad Guy” and James Bond theme song “No Time to Die.”
The brother-sister pair enchanted the audience with a stripped down performance of Eilish’s dreamy ballad “Overheated.” Their appearance marked a poignant full circle moment, as Palm Springs hosted Eilish’s very first concert appearance four years ago early on before she skyrocketed to global fame.
On the red carpet and later in the press room, Eilish mused over her meteoric rise to stardom sparked in the desert city. “This place means so much to me and sort of kickstarted my entire career.”
The musical duo hinted that they plan to take a quick break from their world tour this spring to attend the Oscars. Their Bond song seems likely to earn them their first Oscar nods for Best Original Song.
What’s Next
The Palm Springs International Film Festival runs through January 16th, when the festival’s audience award winners will be revealed. More stars are expected to continue appearances over the second weekend.
As for awards season, Oscar nomination voting is now open through January 17th. Nominations will be announced January 24th ahead of the March 12th awards telecast. With all the buzz and accolades coming out of Palm Springs for “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” and others, the major categories appear to still be taking shape in the early weeks of the new year.
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