Palm Springs Film Fest, Awards Gala Set to Return Jan. 2

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of the Palm Springs International Film Society:

The Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is scheduled from January 2-12, 2015. The Festival presents a majority of the films submitted for consideration in the Best Foreign Language category for the Academy Awards, as well as a large number of American independent and international features and documentaries marking their world, North American or U.S. premieres. Last year the festival screened 192 films from 60 countries.

The Festival will hold its annual star-studded black tie Awards Gala on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The Awards Gala will honor individuals in the film industry with awards for acting, directing, achievement in film scoring and lifetime achievement. Last year’s Festival honorees included: Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Tom Hanks, Matthew McConaughey, Steve McQueen, Thomas Newman, Lupita Nyong’o, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, U2 - Bono and The Edge and the cast of American Hustle.

Beginning Friday, January 2 and throughout the Festival, fifteen screens throughout Palm Springs will operate from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. The official Opening Night screening will take place on Friday, January 2 at 6:30 pm. The Closing Night screening will take place on Sunday, January 11th, and the Best of the Festival will screen all day on Monday, January 12th.

Presented by the Palm Springs International Film Society, the PSIFF is one of the largest film festivals in North America. The Festival has an attractive film sales and distribution record and is seen by American distributors as one of the best Academy Award campaign marketing tools. The Festival also features cultural events, filmmaker tributes, industry seminars and the annual black-tie gala award presentation.

For additional information, call the festival headquarters at (760) 322-2930 or visit the website at www.psfilmfest.org.