Many More Than Just One Fabulous Film Fest in the Palm Springs Valley

Many More Than Just One Fabulous Film Fest in the Palm Springs Valley

I had such a terrific time at this year’s Palm Springs International Film Festival that words escape me.  Well, almost…  The Awards Gala was as star-studded as ever, with the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, Helen Hunt, her “Sessions” sidekick John Hawkes, Sally Field, Martin Sheen, Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Naomi Watts and her “The Impossible” on-screen son Tom Holland, Alan Arkin, and those hot hunka-hunkas A-list “B” boys Bradley Cooper and Ben Affleck all in attendance.  And as usual, the magnificent Mary emceed, and the festival’s myriad parties and multitude of movies were marvelous!  I wish it could go on forever!  www.psfilmfest.org  760-322-2930.

But lest you think the film festival season in the Palm Springs Valley is over, au contraire, the International Film Fest is only the beginning, with at least five more planned for 2013…

The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum will present the 12^th Annual Native FilmFest  from February 27 – March 3, 2013.  Featuring films about, by, and starring Native Americans and other indigenous peoples, this event is considered one of the most highly regarded of its kind.  www.accmuseum.org  760-778-1079

This year’s American Documentary Film Festival—one of the largest on the West Coast—will take place April 4 – 8, 2013 and will present films from around the globe, including a number of world premieres.  www.americandocumentaryfilmfestival.com  760-322-3689

Showing an eclectic mix of classic movies in the film noir genre, the 13^th Annual Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival is set for May 16 – 19, 2013.  In addition to screenings, several of Hollywood’s greatest film noir stars will make special guest appearances.  www.arthurlyonsfilmnoir.ning.com  760-325-6565

Hundreds of short films will be shown in a variety of themed programs at one of the premiere fests of its kind, the Palm Springs International ShortFest.  Exact dates in June 2013 will be announced soon.  www.psfilmfest.org 760-322-2930

And kicking off the fall season in the communities of the Greater Palm Springs Oasis, Cinema Diverse—Palm Springs Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will be held from September 19 – 23, 2013 with LGBT-themed features, shorts, and documentaries from all over the world.  www.cinemadiverse.ning.com  760-325-6565

So no matter what time of year you happen to be in the desert, there are always opportunities to see great movies—whether at a festival or at one of the many theater complexes throughout the Valley.  And of course, for me, I never have to stray further than the Cinemark Theaters at The River in my hometown of Rancho Mirage!  See you at the movies!   www.theriverranchomirage.com

Photo By: DavidALeePhotography.com

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