PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Nicole Kidman spoke poignantly about her late mother during the Palm Springs Film Festival, dedicating her heartfelt speech to her memory on Friday night. “I feel my momma right now. This is for you, momma,” she expressed tearfully while onstage. Kidman’s mother passed away last year, just after the actress arrived in Venice to promote her film “Babygirl.” “I didn’t get to do it at the Venice Film Festival. Thank you for allowing me the chance to say this is for my mom. My entire career has been for my mom and dad,” she added, highlighting the deep influence they had on her journey.
During the 36th annual International Film Awards, Kidman received the International Star Award from her friend and co-star Jamie Lee Curtis, kicking off the Hollywood award season by spotlighting many anticipated contenders from the film industry. The gala attracted numerous high-profile attendees, including stars like Adrien Brody, Zoe Saldaña, Isabella Rossellini, and Angelina Jolie. Jolie received the Desert Palm Achievement Award-Actress, presented by her godmother, the renowned actress Jacqueline Bisset. Portraying opera singer Maria Callas in the Netflix film “Maria,” Jolie is also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture. Reflecting on her experiences, Jolie mentioned her daughter, stating, “I am more myself because of you, Zahara, and your brothers and sisters,” as she acknowledged Callas’ challenging life. This heartfelt moment came shortly after Jolie finalized her divorce settlement with Brad Pitt, which had been lingering for over eight years.
The evening was rich with emotional speeches as honorees and presenters took the time to share their feelings at the private event. Colman Domingo, awarded the Spotlight Award by his friend Demi Moore, spoke about the influence of art throughout his childhood and its transformative power. His remarks tied in with his recent film, “Sing Sing,” which chronicles the lives of incarcerated men who discover purpose through a theater group. “I found art when I really needed it to be a parachute to save my life,” declared Domingo. “Art saves lives. It saved mine. It will save yours,” he concluded.
Timothée Chalamet, recipient of the Chairman Award, expressed his new understanding of his career path, attributing that clarity to music legend Bob Dylan, whose influence helped him recognize what matters most in acting. Chalamet has been preparing to portray Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” for over five years. He shared, “A wise man once said, ‘They can hurt your feelings if they boo you, they can also kill you with kindness.’ I viewed my anxiety about tonight as a positive indication that I’m truly focused on the work and the chance to do it again.”
Amid the sentimental moments, humor also punctuated the evening as stars shared light-hearted interactions. For instance, Jennifer Coolidge introduced Ariana Grande for the Rising Star award and humorously remarked, “Hasn’t Ariana already risen?” Grande playfully acknowledged the weight of the award, saying she had anticipated receiving “the withering star” award at age 31 while also thanking her “good friends Botox and Juvederm.”
Chalamet, who presented the Visionary Award to director Denis Villeneuve with Amy Adams, made a cheeky reference to his collaborative history with the director, suggesting his production days exceeded that of Jake Gyllenhaal. “If I were to paint a throughline for Denis’ films, it’s that they keep getting bigger and better. Apologies to Jake Gyllenhaal once again, who starred in the earlier, smaller films,” he pointed out.
Kieran Culkin took a humorous stance upon receiving the Breakthrough Award-Actor for his role in Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain,” noting it felt strange to be acknowledged for a breakthrough after over 30 years in the industry. “It’s odd to be here, having been doing this for over 36 years. Perfect moment for my breakthrough award,” Culkin remarked.
Mikey Madison was recognized with the Breakthrough Award-Actress for her performance in Sean Baker’s “Anora,” and Adrien Brody was honored with the Desert Palm Achievement Award-Actor. The ensemble cast of “Conclave” won the Ensemble Performance Award, with director Edward Berger commending the unique contributions of each actor in the film’s religious narrative. Additionally, the film “Emilia Pérez” received the event’s Vanguard Award, with actor Alan Cumming expressing his astonishment at its brilliance.
The festivities in the California desert are set to continue as the stars prepare to make their way to Los Angeles for the upcoming 82nd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.
