When you are planning a trip, the first question that just occurs is: Where is the Palm Springs Film Festival? But first, let us know what the Palm Springs Film Festival is.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is an annual glittering event in January, where stars, filmmakers, and film lovers come to attend one of the most prestigious film festivals in North America.
This festival is known to host visitors worldwide through glamorous red carpet events, awards buzz, and premieres of the best Oscar-nominated movies.
It is an iconic festival as it is proudly hosted and screened in various locations within Palm Springs, and multiple venues are held in the core of the city.
And don’t forget to make your festival home at Spirit of Sofia, a luxury boutique hotel in downtown Palm Springs, intimate, stylish, and only a few minutes from major venues.
Where Is the Palm Springs Film Festival Held in Palm Springs?
The Palm Springs film festival is held in various locations throughout Palm Springs, California, wherein multiple screenings, events, and receptions take place.
All these bars are found within downtown and central Palm Springs, and therefore, it is not difficult to get around, particularly when you are staying nearby.
Complete List of Palm Springs Film Festival Venues
1. Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum
Address: 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs, CA. Google Map
A small, contemporary theater with exceptional acoustics and design. Numerous castings and Q&A events occur here.
2. Palm Springs Cultural Center (Camelot Theatres)
Address: 2300 E Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA. Google Map
A beloved local theatre with multiple screens, hosting international films and festival favorites.
3. Palm Canyon Theatre
Address: 538 N Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA. Google Map
Located along one of the city’s most iconic streets, this venue brings historic charm to the festival.
4. Mary Pickford Is D’place
Address: 36850 Pickfair St, Cathedral City, CA 92234. Google Map
The most popular first-run movie theatre in the Coachella Valley is D’Place, where you may watch new Hollywood movies in a comfortable environment. Recliner Seating, House-made Ice Cream and Hand-Made Pizza, Beer & Wine, and all of your other favourite movies!
5. Festival Theaters
Address: 789 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Google Map
Plush seating and snack stand, theatre complex with multiple screens with new release films.
6. Richards Center For The Arts
Address: 2248 Ramon Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264, United States. Google Map
The Richards Center of the Arts of Palm Springs High School is the most prominent location hosting the Festival, with more than 800 guests in a new, refurbished state-of-the-art theatre.
7. Cinemark Century La Quinta XD
Address: 46-800 Washington St, La Quinta, CA. Google Map
Enjoy alcohol and Pizza Hut. Cinemark XD and Recliner Chair Loungers Upgrade Your Movie!
Together, these venues host hundreds of films from around the world, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
When Does the Palm Springs Film Festival Take Place?
Each year, in January, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) makes the city a colorful venue of international film, actors and actresses, and the buzz of award season.
The festival dates vary slightly every year, although the festival is usually 10-12 days, which makes it one of the most influential film festivals in North America.
Dates: January 2-13, 2026
Why January?
The festival is held in January for three reasons:
It Aligns With Hollywood’s Awards Season
PSIFF represents a significant predictor for the Oscars. A lot of the movies shown here continue to get Academy Award nominations.
The proximity of the festival to the Oscars, a few weeks later, makes Palm Springs a key destination for filmmakers, actors, and other studios that want to win awards.
Perfect Desert Weather
Palm Springs is one of the most appropriate months to visit in January.
- Cool mornings
- Pleasant afternoons
- Crisp desert evenings
This facilitates the movements between the venues, outdoor events, and city strolls and brings comfort in the whole festival experience.
Peak Tourist Season
January already brings travelers escaping winter temperatures from across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The festival further boosts this seasonal energy, and cultural color is enriched in the city.
Palm Springs Film Festival Passes and Ticket Options
Join the Film Society and enjoy exclusive perks! All members get early access to General Admission tickets, and our Premiere & Producer level members also receive discounts on General Access Passes.
Pass Price
| Pass Name | Validity Date | Price |
| Benefactor | Jan 2 to 12 | $3,905 |
| Concierge Pass | Jan 2 to 12 | $3128 |
| Premiere Pass | Jan 2 to 12 | $2610 |
| Platinum Pass | Jan 2 to 12 | $610 |
| 5-Day A Pass | Jan 2 to 6 | $398 |
| 5-Day B Pass | Jan 7 to 11 | $398 |
| Student Pass | Jan 2 to 12 | $213 |
How Long Does the Palm Springs Film Festival Last?
The festival usually takes a period of 11 days, which includes:
- Opening Night Film
- World and U.S. premieres
- Screening of international features
- Documentaries
- Director Q&A sessions
- Industry panels
- The prestigious Awards Gala
- Closing Night Event
The screens are full of things to see every day, conducting screenings in the morning till late evening, which gives a visitor a limitless number of choices.
Your Perfect Festival Stay: Spirit of Sofia in Downtown Palm Springs
When one is at the Palm Springs Film Festival, it is all in the location. Spirit of Sofia presents the ideal blend of fashion, comfort, and prestige, within a few minutes of downtown spots.
Why Spirit of Sofia Is Ideal for Festival-Goers
- Numerous festival theaters are only a few minutes’ drive or ride away.
- Spirit of Sofia is not a massive hotel chain; it is a small boutique hotel, where each detail is made to seem selected.
- Have a beautiful view of indoor, outdoor, and lounge areas, and be serene after consecutive back-to-back screenings.
- Stroll to the most favorite restaurants, bars, cafes, and stores between the screenings.
All the details are made in order to make your experience in Palm Springs perfect in photos, and relaxation after the gala events.
How to Get Around Palm Springs During the Festival
The convenience of accessing all the locations of the Palm Springs International Film Festival is one of the most significant benefits of staying at Spirit of Sofia.
The festival is distributed through a variety of theaters and cultural centers spread all over the city.
By Walking
Palm Springs is among the few cities in Southern California that are walk-friendly. Many attractions, cafés, restaurants, shops, and even some festival-related events are located around Palm Canyon Drive, the main downtown stretch.
- There are easy-to-walk flat streets that are comfortable to walk on.
- January has beautiful weather, therefore cool mornings and mild evenings.
- Perfect for short breaks between screenings.
Downtown Palm Springs is bustling, particularly in the festival season, with outdoor restaurants, shops, live music, and pop-ups.
By Rideshare (Uber & Lyft)
To a large majority of people who attend the festivals, Uber and Lyft are the convenient and surest means of getting around to different locations.
- The best choice of PSIFF is Rideshare. Already, cars are quick to come even in times of peak festivity.
- You don’t have the stress of parking, which is a significant advantage at premieres.
- Secure, comfortable alternative to late-night movie screenings or galas.
Due to the proximity of everything, the prices of the rides are usually lower than you might imagine; most of the venues are generally just below 10 dollars.
By Driving
In case you would want your own transportation, then driving around Palm Springs is easy.
- The roads are broad, parking areas are available, and the downtown section is in a grid form.
- The complete freedom to travel around landmarks of the city to explore them before or after a cinema visit.
- Capacity to carry additional baggage, jackets, water bottles, or festival guides.
By Festival Shuttles
The Palm Springs Film Festival organizes notable festival shuttle routes connecting major venues.
- These are usually used for passholders or attendees moving between high-traffic screenings.
- The benefit of festival shuttles is targeted explicitly at the festival-goers.
By Bike
Palm Springs can accommodate bikes, and it is the best month to bike in January. The bicycles are available for rent by many companies.
- Visitors can use them to travel within a short distance.
- It is an environmentally friendly means of commuting around downtown.
- Good to go to lunch or have coffee, or other local occasions.
Conclusion | Where Is the Palm Springs Film Festival?
Palm Springs International Film Festival is held in various classic places of Palm Springs, California, and presents the best cinematic festival in the world, with the perfect desert scenery of Palm Springs.
You may be here because of the red carpets, indie masterpieces, or to attend the glam gala night of the festival; however, PSIFF is an unforgettable film festival in the world.
To add to this experience, you can book in at a downtown boutique hotel, Spirit of Sofia, which is targeted at all travellers in search of luxury, style, and comfort.
You will be close to all of the larger venues and bathed in the hospitality of the desert.
Reserve your room at Spirit of Sofia today and experience the festival like a true insider.
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