California
The Palm Springs International Film Festival: A Cinematic Experience
Program No. 21382RJ
Screen eight highly anticipated films over five nights at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, enjoying expert-led discussions with industry insiders.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Palm Springs, CA
Program Concludes
Palm Springs, CA
Meals
13 (
5B, 5L, 3D
)
Activity Level
Join us for one of our most popular film programs, as we spend five nights in the charming desert city of Palm Springs. Screen the latest international releases and documentaries – films that are in competition for Academy Award Nominations from worldwide studios – and hear commentary from industry professionals and other experts. Free time is offered in the evenings to attend additional films and explore the Palm Springs International Film Festival on your own.
Best of all, you'll...
- Screen eight films, several with commentary from an industry professional offering an insider’s perspective.
- Engage in educational sessions that provide the opportunity to analyze and discuss the films and industry.
- Learn about the history of Palm Springs with a local expert and discover how this desert oasis became a Hollywood hot spot.
General Notes
This is a Road Scholar Large Group program. The number of participants in this program may be as high as 200. The entire group will be together for the included films, educational sessions and most meals. Participants will be divided into groups of no more than 40 participants with a dedicated Group Leader for some activities and field trips. The schedule for your group may vary from what is published, however, each group has an opportunity to experience all program elements. If you are traveling with companions who are not your roommate and you would like to be grouped together, please list their names in your “Personal Information & Preferences” on your Road Scholar “My Account” page. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Suzanne Lyons
Suzanne Lyons has produced 14 features and is in pre-production on her fifteenth. She has worked with talent like Christopher Walken, Naomi Watts, Alfred Molina, James Caan, Brenda Blethyn, Susan Sarandon, Donald Sutherland, Dermot Mulroney, and Jeremy Renner. Her films have won awards which include a BAFTA, a premier at the Directors Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival and acceptance into numerous festivals. She has written a book on indie film producing and signed a deal on her first TV series.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Nadine Bopp
Nadine Bopp taught sustainable architecture, urban planning, botany, and environmental science courses at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College, and DePaul University for 19 years. She has a master’s degree in landscape architecture and worked for the Chicago Park District, running the operations for 124 parks. As a lifelong environmentalist, she continues to broaden her knowledge by exploring drought-tolerant landscape design, water conservation, and California’s landscape ecosystems. She enjoys teaching about Southern California’s gardens, architecture, and botanical diversity.
Manuel Marquez
Manuel Márquez came to Road Scholar after a rewarding career in medical practice management. He has led groups to Cuba and his native Los Angeles. As an undergraduate in Boston, he was introduced close-up to the wonders of western art, the colonial and revolutionary history of the United States, and a love of learning about planet Earth and all its inhabitants. Manuel has explored nearly fifty countries on five continents. He enjoys music, reading, movies, and his beautiful cat, Pearl.
Barrie Simpson
After a long career in the technology, pharmaceutical, and hospitality industries, Barrie Simpson became a Road Scholar group leader. She was raised in New England; following high school, she made her way to Oregon, where she planted trees all over the West before going on to earn a degree in environmental engineering. Currently living in San Francisco, she is a historical group leader for SF City Guides, a waterbird docent on Alcatraz, and a long time member leader of the American Society of Quality (ASQ).
Mary McCloy
Mary McCloy was born and raised in San Francisco; she has led for Road Scholar there and internationally, taking groups to Central and Eastern Europe. Mary is certified through the San Francisco Tour Guide Guild and a graduate of the International Tour Management Institute. She is also a volunteer for San Francisco City Guides and leads a Haight Ashbury walking program, revisiting the neighborhood where she grew up. Mary holds a master’s degree in both nursing and counseling. She enjoys Irish history, music, and dance.
Karyn Benkendorfer
Karyn Benkendorfer is a native Californian who has a B.A. in communications arts – film and television from Loyola Marymount University. She is also a graduate of ITMI’s International tour management program. Karyn is a passionate storyteller, photographer, writer, and teacher. She is energized by engaging with people, sharing stories and experiences. On her daily walks, she logs 5-8 miles. She is an active volunteer with Opera League Los Angeles.
Nancy White
Nancy White, with a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, has experience in both public, commercial, and private sector landscape design projects. She volunteers, installing revegetation projects with her local Audubon Society Chapter as well as homeless outreach work in an organization called Miracle Messages. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking, bicycling, kayaking, swimming, birding, jewelry making, and pickleball. She has helped lead in Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, and Death Valley since October 2023.
Suzanne Lyons
Suzanne Lyons has produced 14 features and is in pre-production on her fifteenth. She has worked with talent like Christopher Walken, Naomi Watts, Alfred Molina, James Caan, Brenda Blethyn, Susan Sarandon, Donald Sutherland, Dermot Mulroney, and Jeremy Renner. Her films have won awards which include a BAFTA, a premier at the Directors Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival and acceptance into numerous festivals. She has written a book on indie film producing and signed a deal on her first TV series.
Melanie Miller
Melanie Miller is an Academy Award-winning producer and co-founder of Fishbowl Films. Her films include the Emmy-winning 'Blink,' 'Inventing Tomorrow,' 'Maestra,' 'On the Divide,' 'Stutz,' and 'Navalny,' which won the Festival Favorite at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and was awarded a DuPont, PGA, BAFTA, and the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. Other credits include 'Trial by Media,' 'Equal,' 'Marvel 616,' and 'The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping.' Melanie is a member of the DPA, the PGA, ATAS, BAFTA and AMPAS.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Palm Springs is a great city for walking! Expect to walk up to 1 mile per day to meals at local restaurants or to watch additional films on your own. Transportation to the Richards Center for the Arts at Palm Springs High School is provided by motorcoach. There are some stairs at the theater and wheelchair ramps are available.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.