Palm Springs has a long history with Hollywood, but the city's connection to film goes far beyond movie stars and desert locations. Throughout the year, Palm Springs welcomes filmmakers, actors, industry professionals, and movie lovers for a diverse lineup of film festivals celebrating international cinema, documentaries, short films, and LGBTQ+ stories.
From the star-studded Palm Springs International Film Festival in January to the Palm Springs International ShortFest in June and Cinema Diverse in September, film lovers can find something to see in Palm Springs throughout much of the year.
Whether you're planning a trip specifically around a festival or simply discover one taking place during your visit, attending a film festival offers a different way to experience Palm Springs—and a chance to see films and meet filmmakers you might not encounter elsewhere.
Palm Springs Film Festival Calendar
January — Palm Springs International Film Festival
International features, documentaries, premieres, filmmaker conversations and the Palm Springs International Film Awards.
March — American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs)
Independent documentaries and animation from filmmakers around the world.
May — Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival
Classic and rare film noir, restored films, special guests and presentations celebrating one of cinema's most enduring genres.
May — Palm Springs 70mm Film Festival
A celebration of large-format cinema, featuring films presented in spectacular 70mm along with classic movies and special programming for fans of the big-screen experience.
June — Palm Springs International ShortFest
Hundreds of short films, filmmaker programs, awards and opportunities to discover emerging talent.
September — Cinema Diverse
LGBTQ+ feature films, documentaries and short films from around the world.
Festival dates and programming change each year. Check the Visit Palm Springs events calendar and individual festival websites for current dates, schedules, tickets and programs.
Palm Springs International Film Festival
January
The Palm Springs International Film Festival is the city's signature film event and one of the most anticipated film festivals of the year.
Held each January, the festival brings international cinema to the desert with a wide-ranging program of feature films, documentaries and works from emerging and established filmmakers. The festival has become particularly well known for introducing audiences to international films and award-season contenders that may not yet be widely available in the United States.
The festival also attracts some of the biggest names in the film industry for the annual Palm Springs International Film Awards. The event has become an important stop during awards season, regularly honoring actors, directors and filmmakers whose work is generating Oscar buzz.
For visitors, however, the appeal goes well beyond the celebrity factor. Festival screenings provide an opportunity to discover films from around the world, attend filmmaker Q&As and experience the energy of one of Palm Springs' biggest annual cultural events.
The 2027 Palm Springs International Film Festival is scheduled for January 7–18, 2027. The Film Awards are scheduled for January 7.
Best for: International cinema, award-season films, premieres, filmmaker Q&As and the excitement of a major film festival.
Explore more: Palm Springs International Film Festival
American Documentary and Animation Film Festival
March
Known as AmDocs, the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival offers a different perspective on independent cinema.
Founded in 2011 with a focus on documentary filmmaking, the festival has grown into an international event showcasing documentary and animated films from independent filmmakers. Its programming explores real people, cultures, issues and ideas through both traditional documentary storytelling and animation.
AmDocs is a particularly good choice for visitors who enjoy films that inform as much as they entertain. Screenings can introduce audiences to unfamiliar subjects, new perspectives and filmmakers whose work might not otherwise reach a wide audience.
The festival typically takes place in March, making it a great reason to plan a spring visit to Palm Springs.
Best for: Documentary lovers, independent cinema, animation and films that explore real-world stories and ideas.
Explore more: American Documentary and Animation Film Festival
Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival
May
For fans of classic crime films, shadowy cinematography and the morally complicated characters that define film noir, the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival offers one of Palm Springs' most distinctive cinematic experiences.
Founded in 2000 by local writer, film noir enthusiast and former Palm Springs City Council Member Arthur Lyons, the festival has grown into a destination event for noir fans from across Southern California and beyond. After Lyons' death, the Palm Springs Cultural Center continued the festival in his honor, helping preserve it as an important part of the city's cultural calendar.
The festival is known for its carefully curated selection of classic and hard-to-find noir films. Programs often include landmark titles alongside lesser-known discoveries, restored films, and movies that may not be widely available through streaming or home video. Screenings can also include presentations on 35mm film, giving audiences the opportunity to experience classic cinema in a format that has become increasingly rare.
The Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival also brings historians, filmmakers, authors and special guests to Palm Springs, adding context and conversation to the screenings. For movie lovers, it is a chance to go beyond simply watching a classic film and dive deeper into the history, artistry and enduring appeal of the noir genre.
The festival typically takes place in May at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The 2026 edition was held May 7–10 and featured classic films, rare titles, and new restorations. (arthurlyonsfilmnoir.org)
Best for: Classic film fans, film noir enthusiasts, cinema history buffs, and anyone who appreciates rare and restored movies.
Explore more: Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival
Palm Springs 70mm Film Festival
May
For movie lovers who believe some films are meant to be seen on the biggest screen possible, the Palm Springs 70mm Film Festival celebrates cinema on an epic scale.
The festival is dedicated to the immersive experience of 70mm film, a large-format process known for its exceptional image quality and spectacular visual impact. The format has been used for some of cinema's most ambitious productions, making the festival especially appealing to fans of classic filmmaking, film preservation, and the theatrical moviegoing experience.
Held at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, the festival presents a curated selection of films projected in 70mm, giving audiences the chance to experience movies as originally intended. Programming may include Hollywood epics, musicals, action films, and other large-scale productions that showcase the format's visual power.
The Palm Springs 70mm Film Festival is part of the city's growing calendar of specialty film events and offers something distinctly different from a traditional film festival. Rather than focusing on new releases or emerging filmmakers, it celebrates the artistry, technology and enduring magic of seeing film projected on the big screen.
Best for: Classic movie fans, cinephiles, film-format enthusiasts and anyone who loves the immersive experience of seeing a spectacular film on the big screen.
Explore more: Palm Springs 70mm Film Festival
Palm Springs International ShortFest
June
Short films take center stage each June at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, a weeklong celebration of short-form cinema from around the world.
Don't let the word short fool you. ShortFest is one of the largest short-film festivals in North America and an important destination for filmmakers and industry professionals. The festival is Academy Award-, BAFTA- and Goya-qualifying, giving filmmakers an opportunity to have their work recognized on an international stage.
Audiences can choose from programs featuring narrative films, documentaries, animation, comedy, drama, experimental work and stories from emerging filmmakers around the world. Because multiple short films are typically grouped into individual programs, a single screening can introduce you to several filmmakers and styles.
The festival also offers filmmaker conversations, industry panels, networking opportunities and other programs that give audiences a closer look at the filmmaking process.
In 2026, ShortFest screened 329 films from 71 countries and territories, demonstrating the event's international scope.
For visitors, June's festival is a great opportunity to discover filmmakers at the beginning of their careers—and perhaps see the next big name in cinema before everyone else does.
Best for: Film enthusiasts, emerging filmmakers, international cinema, animation, documentaries and discovering new talent.
Cinema Diverse
September
Every September, Cinema Diverse celebrates LGBTQ+ cinema and the filmmakers and stories that bring those experiences to the screen.
Established in 2008, Palm Springs' LGBTQ+ film festival presents a diverse selection of feature films, documentaries, and short films from around the world. The festival provides a space for stories that reflect LGBTQ+ lives and experiences while bringing filmmakers and audiences together for screenings, discussions and special events.
Cinema Diverse is part of Palm Springs' longstanding LGBTQ+ cultural scene and offers visitors the chance to see independent films that may not receive wide theatrical distribution.
The festival typically takes place at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, making it easy to combine a day of cinema with Palm Springs dining, shopping, nightlife and other attractions.
Best for: LGBTQ+ cinema, independent film, documentaries, emerging filmmakers and celebrating diverse stories.
Film Festivals Are Part of Palm Springs' Cultural Identity
Palm Springs' film festivals reflect the city's longstanding relationship with the entertainment industry while also showing that Palm Springs cinema offers more than Hollywood nostalgia.
The International Film Festival brings international cinema to the desert. AmDocs focuses on documentary and independent storytelling. ShortFest showcases emerging filmmakers and short-form cinema. Cinema Diverse celebrates LGBTQ+ stories and filmmakers.
Together, they create a film calendar that spans much of the year and gives visitors several different ways to experience cinema in Palm Springs.
And the setting is part of the fun.
Between screenings, you can explore Palm Springs' midcentury modern architecture, visit the Palm Springs Art Museum, relax beside a hotel pool, take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway into the mountains, enjoy a meal at one of the city's restaurants, or explore downtown's shops and galleries.
In other words, you don't have to choose between a film festival and a Palm Springs vacation. The two work remarkably well together.
Planning a Film Festival Trip to Palm Springs
If you're traveling specifically for a film festival, planning ahead can make the experience much easier.
Start by checking the festival's official website for current dates, schedules, passes, and individual tickets. Popular screenings and special events can fill quickly, particularly during the January International Film Festival.
It's also worth booking your hotel early. Palm Springs' most popular festival periods can coincide with other busy times of year, so accommodations may become limited.
👉 Explore our Places to Stay Guide
When choosing where to stay, consider how you'll get between your hotel and screening venues. Downtown Palm Springs puts you close to restaurants, nightlife, shopping and many cultural attractions, while other neighborhoods offer a quieter retreat between films.
Most importantly, leave room in your schedule for discovery. One of the pleasures of attending a film festival is choosing a movie simply because the title, description or filmmaker catches your attention.
You may arrive knowing exactly what you want to see and leave having discovered a new favorite film.
The Palm Springs International Film Society
The Palm Springs International Film Society is the nonprofit organization behind two of the city's largest film events: the Palm Springs International Film Festival and Palm Springs International ShortFest.
The organization also supports film through educational initiatives, special programs and year-round activities. Its work has helped establish Palm Springs as an important destination for filmmakers and audiences interested in international and independent cinema.
For visitors, the most visible part of that work is the annual festival calendar, which brings thousands of film lovers to Palm Springs throughout the year.
FAQs
What film festivals are held in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs hosts several major film festivals throughout the year, including the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival in March, Palm Springs International ShortFest in June, and Cinema Diverse in September.
When is the Palm Springs International Film Festival?
The Palm Springs International Film Festival typically takes place in January. The 2027 festival is scheduled for January 7–18, 2027, with the Palm Springs International Film Awards scheduled for January 7.
What is Palm Springs International ShortFest?
Palm Springs International ShortFest is an annual festival dedicated to short films from around the world. It is an Academy Award-, BAFTA- and Goya-qualifying festival featuring hundreds of films, filmmaker programs, awards and industry events.
What is AmDocs?
AmDocs is the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival, an independent film festival held in Palm Springs that focuses on documentary and animated films. It typically takes place in March and features work from filmmakers from around the world.
What is Cinema Diverse?
Cinema Diverse is Palm Springs' LGBTQ+ film festival, featuring feature films, documentaries, and short films that celebrate LGBTQ+ stories and filmmakers. The festival typically takes place in September.
Can visitors attend Palm Springs film festivals?
Yes. Palm Springs film festivals welcome film lovers, filmmakers, and industry professionals. Depending on the festival, visitors can purchase individual screening tickets, festival passes, or tickets to special events. Check each festival's current website for attendance and ticket information.
Are Palm Springs film festivals worth planning a trip around?
For film lovers, absolutely. The festivals offer opportunities to see international and independent films, meet filmmakers, attend discussions and experience special events that aren't available during a typical Palm Springs visit. The city's restaurants, hotels, architecture, outdoor attractions and nightlife also make it easy to build a full vacation around a film festival.
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