The Palm Springs International Film Festival will conclude Monday with encore screenings of most films that won prizes during the event.
“I’m Still Here,” Walter Salles’ feature about a Brazilian activist reckoning with the abduction of her politician husband, won the FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Feature Film from among 35 submissions, it was announced Sunday. The three-person jury complimented Salles’ work for “conveying the horror of encroaching dictatorship from the intimate perspective of a mother defending not just her family of five, but her dignity.”
The Italian film “Vermiglio” was recognized for its screenplay — jury members lauded the movie for subverting wartime drama themes and grounding the story through the perspective of strongly written female characters.
Zoe Saldaña of “Emilia Pérez” was recognized as Best Actress in an International Feature Film — she was a co-recipient of the Vanguard Award on PSIFF’s second day, winning a Golden Globe the following day. Saldaña’s performance earned praise for its expressiveness and multifaceted interpretation of a “morally shaded” figure.
Best Actor in an International Feature Film was split between Mo Chara, Móglaà Bap and DJ Provái of “Kneecap,” all of whom made their acting debuts in the semi-autobiographical comedy-drama. The jury called the trio “equally authentic and explosive” in their energetic on-screen depiction of the meaning of cultural identity.
“No Other Land,” an immersive look into a Palestinian village living under threats of forced displacement by Israeli soldiers and settler colonialists’ attacks, received the Best Documentary honor. The film also spotlights an unlikely bond between a Palestinian activist and Israeli journalist while noting the gulf of quality between their living conditions.
“Blue Road — The Edna O’Brien Story,” was given a special mention from the jury in the same category.
Finally, the Ibero-American Award was bestowed upon “Sujo,” which follows a young boy’s journey and struggles after his father, a cartel boss, is assassinated. The “meticulously paced and darkly poetic” impressed the jury, which applauded the young cast’s performances as well.
The aforementioned movies joined “Checkpoint Zoo,” “Tatami” and “Souleymane’s Story,” which were revealed as award winners on Wednesday.
With the exception of “Emilia Pérez,” all of the award-winning movies announced Sunday will have an additional showing Monday. A full schedule can be found at psfilmfest.org/film-festival-2025/schedule.