(Some of the Theater Operations managers for the Palm Springs International Film Festival having fun at the 20th Anniversary Party.)This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Founded in 1989 by the late, then mayor, Sonny Bono, the festival has grown to encompass 15 screens here in Palm Springs showing 210 films with over 500 screenings.
Over the years there have been many highlights, celebrities, premieres and huge crowds. This year is no different, but what make the Palm Springs festival so unique is its huge number of foreign films. Fifty of the 67 official Foreign Language Oscar®
submissions are here, along with 14 World, 20 North American, and 48 US Premieres.(The late Mayor of Palm Springs and Congressman Sonny Bono, right, and his wife, now Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, greeting Tony Curtis, left, at the 1995 Palm Springs International Film Festival. Desert Sun Photo)
Of course to celebrate such an occasion necessitates another party. Tonight's 20th Anniversary Gala was held at the recently restored and reopened The Riviera. Itself the setting of numerous galas and historical events here in Palm Springs, including being the setting for the 1963 classic cult film, Palm Springs Weekend starring Troy Donohue and Connie Stevens, the party took place in the classic oval ballroom.
(Some of the boys enjoying the 20th Anniversary Gala.)
Black and white photos of Hollywood's elite from today and yesterday circled the ballroom, along with some classic antique cars, while shots of old Hollywood films flashed on the screen and music from the 80s got the thousand guests out onto the dance floor. It was a fun evening and a great way to meet many of today's up and coming directors, producers and actors.
1 comments:
Post a Comment