The Palm Springs International Film Festival: A Cinematic Experience

Program Registration: After you receive your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please contact your Group Leader and let them know you arrived. Participants in this large capacity program will be divided into smaller color groups, each with its own Group Leader. Confirm your color group at registration with program staff. Palm Springs is a very popular destination with limited hotel space. Please book pre- or post-program stays well in advance to ensure you have a room. Additional nights may not be available if requested too close to the program start date. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. In individual color groups, the Group Leaders will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader is happy to offer suggestions. For general information about the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF), or to purchase tickets to additional film screenings not included in your program, visit http://www.psfilmfest.org. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for understanding.

At the hotel.

Following dinner, we will be joined by a local expert for an introduction to the Palm Springs Film Festival. We will learn about the history of the festival, how films are selected, and even get some tips to prepare for screening films critically in the coming week. Continue to get to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

This morning, we will break into our individual color groups and board our private motorcoach for an exploration of Palm Springs. We will be joined by a local expert and learn how this desert oasis become a Hollywood hotspot in the early 1930s. During the ride, we will enjoy stops at several iconic Palm Springs landmarks and get a taste of the "desert modernism" architecture style, for which Palm Springs is famous.

At the hotel.

After lunch, we will board our motorcoach for a short drive to the Richards Center for the Arts, our film-screening home for the program. Located at Palm Springs High School, Richards Center for the Arts was built in 1958 and was one of the original venues for the Palm Springs International Film Festival. In addition to the festival, this theater also serves as a venue for concerts, recitals, and other community productions. Upon arrival at the theater, program staff will provide an introduction to our first film before screening. After the screening, we will return to the hotel by motorcoach, where we will be joined by a film expert who will lead our first critique session to discuss the film we watched earlier in the day. Those who choose not to attend this session are welcome to attend other films.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

After breakfast, a film expert will join us for our first expert-led critique session of the day. Those who choose not to attend this session are welcome to attend other films. We will board our motorcoach and head out to the theater for our two film screenings. Notable fact: The Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) has come to be known as the first stop on the road to the Academy Awards®.

Boxed lunch at the theater.

After a brief break for lunch, we will screen our second film of the day. We will then return to the hotel by motorcoach. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. This is a great opportunity to attend other film screenings at the festival. Back at the hotel, a film expert will join us for another critique session. Those who choose not to attend this session are welcome to attend other films. Notable Fact: Every January since 1989, the festival has celebrated international film. The PSIFF features “the largest selection [of] Foreign Language Oscar® submissions of any festival in the nation.”

This meal is on your own and excluded from the program cost. The Group Leader is happy to offer restaurant suggestions.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

After breakfast, we will participate in another critique session. Those who choose not to attend this session are welcome to attend other films. We will then board our motorcoach and head to the theater for two films. One of the PSIFF’s fundamental beliefs is that film is an art form with the power to bridge cultures and illuminate the universality of the human experience.

Boxed lunch at the theater.

After lunch, we will screen our second film of the day. We will then return to the hotel via motorcoach. After returning to the hotel, we will participate in another expert-led critique session. Those who choose not to attend this session are welcome to attend other films. Notable fact: Past recipients of the Desert Palm Achievement Award include actors Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Penn, Jeff Bridges, Bradley Cooper, and Eddie Redmayne. Films that have won awards include “The Bank” (Australia), “Life is Beautiful” (Italy), “Broken Wings” (Israel), “Paper Clips” (United Kingdom), and “The Days of Our Lives” (Germany).

At a local restaurant.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

After breakfast, we will participate in another critique session. Those who choose not to attend this session are welcome to attend other films. We will then board our motorcoach and head out to the theater for our two films.

Boxed lunch at the theater.

After lunch we will view our second film of the day before returning to the hotel. Back at the hotel, we will participate in another expert-led critique session. Those who choose not to attend this session are welcome to attend other films. Notable Fact: Offering screenings of approximately 200 films from 70 countries around the world, the festival has developed a loyal following that increases the city’s population by nearly 300% during the first two weeks of January.

This meal is on your own and excluded from the program cost. The Group Leader is happy to offer restaurant suggestions.

Enjoy the evening at leisure. Local Tip: Every Thursday evening, Downtown Palm Springs transforms into the Palm Springs VillageFest, also known as the Palm Springs Street Fair at Palm Canyon Drive between Baristo and Amado. VillageFest features a diverse array of artists, artisans, entertainers, and purveyors of fresh fruits and veggies, snacks, and sweets. More than 200 booths offer beautiful art and handcrafted items.

At the hotel.

After breakfast, we will take the motorcoach to the theater where we will view one film. Depending on your travel plans, you may need to check out of your hotel room prior to the morning film screening. The hotel can hold your luggage while you are away. Participants are responsible for transportation from the hotel to the airport. Please consult transportation options in the “Getting There” section of your program materials. After our screening, we will return to the hotel by motorcoach for our final critique session.

Boxed lunch at the hotel.

This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes on your next journey!