Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell receive Chairman’s Award in Palm Springs International Film Fest

PALM SPRINGS – Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell received the Chairman’s Award last night at the Palm Springs International Film Festival for their song, “What Was I Made For?” featured in “Barbie.”

The award was presented to the siblings Thursday night at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Singer Billie Eilish (in photo) and her brother Finneas O’Connell receive the Chairman’s Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Image: FILE PHOTO/REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

“Billie and Finneas, with their unparalleled talent, have created a beautiful and ethereal ballad that perfectly evokes the poignancy of the journey Margot Robbie’s Barbie takes in the film,” Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a statement.

The Chairman’s Award has previously been presented to Amy Adams,
Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks and Reese Witherspoon.

 ‘Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing)’

“Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing)” will make its international debut at Palm Springs International Film Festival this Sunday, Jan. 7.

The Philippines’ entry to the Best International Film Category of the 96^th Academy Awards, which landed on Variety’s Oscars’ predictions, is one of the 179 films from 74 countries featured at the festival.

Screenings began on Thursday and continue until Jan. 14 at the Palm Canyon Theater, Camelot Theatres, Regal Cinemas and Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, and the Mary Pickford is D’Place in Cathedral City.

“Iti Mapukpukaw” will have its first screening this Sunday, Jan. 7 in Regal Cinemas at 8:30 p.m. It will be featured again on Jan. 13 in Mary Pickford is D’Place at 10:45 a.m.

The animated science fiction film written and directed by Carl Joseph Papa won Best Film at the Cinemalaya 2023 and the NETPAC award.

Emma Stone receives award for `Poor Things’ performance

Emma Stone received the Desert Palm Achievement Award for her role in “Poor Things,” and the film’s director Yorgos Lanthimos will receive the Creative Impact in Directing Award Friday at Variety’s annual 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards brunch.

Emma Stone received the Desert Palm Achievement Award for her role in “Poor Things.” Image: emmstone/IG

Stone was presented with her award Thursday night at the Palm Springs Convention Center and will present Lanthimos his award Friday at Parker Palm Springs.

“Emma Stone continues to exert influence as one of the most important
actresses of this generation, whose performances are always exceptional no
matter the role,” festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a
statement. “In her latest film `Poor Things,’ Emma delivers a burning
intensity and character bound for liberation.”

“Poor Things” is the tale of a young woman brought back to life by a scientist, and under his protection, she is eager to learn and runs off on an adventure across continents. Stone stars in the film which also features Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, Suzy Bema, Kathryn Hunter and Hanna Schygulla, among others.

“Yorgos Lanthimos established himself as one of world cinema’s top filmmakers nearly 15 years ago when his film `Dogtooth’ startled and excited the crowds in Cannes at its premiere,” Variety’s Executive Vice President of Content Steven Gaydos said in a statement.

The film received seven Golden Globe nominations, 13 Critics Choice Awards nominations, and was named to both the AFI and National Board of Review lists of the year’s top 10 films.

The Desert Palm Achievement Award has previously been awarded to Cate
Blanchett, Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Renee Zellweger, Olivia Colman,
Marion Cotillard and Sandra Bullock among others. The Creative Impact in
Directing honor has previously been presented to Baz Luhrmann, Ryan Coogler, Charlie Kaufman, and Patty Jenkins.

`Killers of the Flower Moon’

The Vanguard Award was presented to “Killers of the Flower Moon” Thursday night while Eric Roth, a co-writer of the film, will receive the Creative Impact in Screenwriting Award Friday at Variety’s annual 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards brunch.

Director Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone were presented with the Vanguard award Thursday night at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Roth will receive his award Friday at Parker Palm Springs.

“’Killers of the Flower Moon’ is a powerful and important film not only for its cinematic poetry, but also as a complicated story about the suspicious murders of members of the Osage Nation, one which fully illustrates the evils of racism and corruption,” said Palm Springs International Film Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi in a statement.

The Vanguard Award has previously been presented to such films as “Green Book,” “The Shape of Water,” “Belfast,” “La La Land,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “The Fablemans” and  “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”

“Roth’s oeuvre is the stuff of legends and the legends seek him out, as exhibited by this year’s mighty true-life contender, `Killers of the Flower Moon,”’ Steven Gaydos, Variety’s executive vice president of content said in a statement.

“A huge canvas and a major production, telling a vital story about America’s appalling treatment of our indigenous peoples required a uniquely skilled voice, so directing legend Martin Scorsese called on Eric Roth to bring `Moon’ to the screen.”

`The Color Purple”

Danielle Brooks received the Spotlight Award Actress for her performance in “The Color Purple” tonight, while the film’s director, Blitz Bazawule, will be honored tomorrow at Variety’s annual 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards brunch.

The award was presented to Brooks Thursday night at the Palm Springs Convention Center and Bazawule will be honored as one of the 10 Directors to Watch Friday at Parker Palm Springs.

“In `The Color Purple,’ Danielle Brooks revisits her Tony-nominated portrayal of Sofia, a force to be reckoned with who challenges traditional female roles  and stands for what she believes in,” festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a statement.

The Spotlight Award, Actress has previously been presented to Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, Helen Hunt, Allison Janney and Kristen Stewart. The other nine directors who will be honored at the brunch are Ilker Catak, Sophie Dupuis, Cord Jefferson, Titus Kaphar, Anna Kendrick, Kobi Libii, Aaron Schimberg, Ena Sendijarevic, and Eva Trobisch.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival will continue until Jan. 15. (With CNS report)