Despite Rain, Palm Springs International Film Festival Is A Go

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Opening night of the Palm Springs International Film Festival will go on as planned Thursday despite the forecast of heavy rain in the Coachella Valley, organizers said.

Festival spokesman Steven Wilson told City News Service on Wednesday that a tent was being placed over the red carpet and guest-arrival areas to prevent rain from dampening the festivities. Passholder and ticket holder lines will also be under cover.

"The festival will do their best to seat early so people are not standing in line," Wilson told CNS. "The show will go on!"

The festival — which is returning to an in-person format this year — gets underway with the Palm Springs International Film Awards on Thursday at the Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 North Avenida Caballeros.

Thursday's award recipients include Viola Davis, Austin Butler, Brendan Fraser, Danielle Deadwyler, Bill Nighy and Colin Farrell. The black-tie event runs from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The festival's screenings will begin Friday and run until Monday.

Last year's festival and awards were canceled due to the pandemic, with festival organizers instead opting to honor the year's award winners on "Entertainment Tonight."

Festival officials said attendees must present their vaccination card and photo ID to attend the event.

The Palm Springs International Film Society, which hosts the event, is a nonprofit with the mission of cultivating and promoting the art and science of film through education and cross-cultural awareness.