The Palm Springs International Film Awards have long been a star-studded stop on the awards season calendar, held in the early days of January in the desert to jump start the race after the new year. The marathon awards show — at which there are typically around 10 trophies handed out over the course of the evening — will get a bigger dose of glamour courtesy of a new multiyear partnership with Kering.
The global luxury group, parent of fashion houses like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato and more, will serve as a presenting sponsor. Under the pact, Kering’s Women in Motion series will deliver two Talking Pictures sessions. The news comes on the heels of January’s event, at which Women in Motion test drove two of those sessions, one featuring Maria star Angelina Jolie and the other with the team from Emilia Pérez, Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Édgar Ramírez and director Jacques Audiard. (Kering’s Saint Laurent co-produced Emilia Pérez with the house’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello producing.)
Festival regulars, especially those who make the rounds at the Cannes Film Festival, are familiar with the Women in Motion brand, which launched in Cannes as a way to spotlight the contributions of women in cinema, in front of and behind the camera, in 2015. It presents talks and podcasts as well as an A-list Women in Motion Awards in Cannes.
Palm Springs International Film Festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said his team is honored to welcome Kering into the fold for the film awards. He added, “Kering is more than a global leader in luxury— it’s a force for cultural change. Their commitment to artistic innovation and amplifying diverse voices aligns perfectly with our mission. This partnership celebrates the power of storytelling and the global impact of film.”
Kering’s chief brand officer Laurent Claquin said the company is “thrilled” to partner with the presenting sponsorship as a way to further his company’s commitment to cinema and creative talent. “In honor of its 10th anniversary, Women In Motion made its debut at the festival this year with two powerful conversations — one with the cast of Emilia Pérez, and another with Angelina Jolie. Through this initiative, we not only recognize women’s contributions to culture, but also create a space to amplify their voices, spark dialogue and inspire future generations.”
The upcoming edition of the Palm Springs International Film Festival is scheduled for Jan. 2-12, 2026, while the Film Awards will take place on Jan. 3. Film Awards tables and fest passes go on sale Aug. 1.
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