The Palm Springs International Film Festival honors Annette Bening, Tom Hanks, Ruth Nega and more & Film Industry Insiders help local students achieve filmmaking dreams

Hollywood’s hottest celebrities attend the 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival kicking off the award show season. Our Heather Dawson was there to bring you all of the inside scoop.

Heather greeted our favorite A-list celebrities as they walked the red carpet to the festival’s Film Awards Gala, honoring film achievements, and was invited to the exclusive event.

This year’s award winners include:

• Amy Adams – Chairman’s Award for the film Arrival
• Casey Affleck – Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor for the film Manchester by the Sea 
• Annette Bening – Career Achievement Award for the film Twentieth Century Women 
• Andrew Garfield – Spotlight Award for the film Hacksaw Ridge 
• Tom Hanks – Icon Award for the film Sully 
• Nicole Kidman – International Star Award for the film Lion 
• Ruth Negga – Rising Star Award for the film Loving 
• Natalie Portman – Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress for the film Jackie 

However, the festival isn’t all about the glitz and glamour instead it has helped extend Palm Springs tourism season to become a travel destination all year long boosting the local economy.

Even local students benefit from all of the movie industry insiders. The Palm Springs International Film Society offers educational programs to students with Hollywood’s biggest filmmakers to offer advice on their movie projects, attend private film screenings and use industry cameras and editing programs.

For more on all of the celebrities that attended the Film Gala Awards watch below. Or tune into California Life with Heather Dawson airing statewide.