Cinema’s Early Buzz: The 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival

Before Sundance turns the spotlight to Utah’s mountains, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) opens the cinematic year in the Californian desert — a festival that has become a key early indicator of awards season direction. 

The 37th edition presents 168 films from 72 countries, including 53 premieres and a strong roster of international features, documentaries, and awards contenders. The festival launched with Maryam Touzani’s Calle Málaga on January 2 and will close with Brian Cox’s British drama Glenrothan on January 11. 

Palm Springs also serves as a gathering point for talent and industry observation, hosting glamorous gala nights and honors for artists whose recent work has resonated — from Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan to Kate Hudson — while reminding audiences that cinema’s communal experience is still very much alive. 

For film lovers, PSIFF offers everything from world cinema discoveries to red-carpet buzz, setting the tone for the months to come and creating a festival atmosphere as rich and vibrant as the films themselves.