'The Big Short' Cast Wins Ensemble Award From Palm Springs Film Festival

AWARDS BEAT

The cast of “The Big Short” will receive the Ensemble Award at this year’s Palm Springs International Film Festival, with stars Steve Carell and Christian Bale attending the festival’s Awards Gala on Saturday to receive the award with director Adam McKay.

The award is the last to be announced for this year’s gala. The “Big Short” cast will join previously announced honorees Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara from “Carol,” Bryan Cranston from “Trumbo,” Matt Damon from “The Martian,” Johnny Depp from “Black Mass,” Michael Fassbender from “Steve Jobs,” Brie Larson from “Room,” Saoirse Ronan from “Brooklyn,” Alicia Vikander from “The Danish Girl” and director Tom McCarthy from “Spotlight.”

The Awards Gala, which will be held at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Saturday night, is a black-tie fundraiser for the festival and a popular campaign stop at a crucial time during Oscar voting.

Also Read: Critics Love 'The Big Short': 9 Reasons You Should See 'Devastatingly Funny' Comedy

“Wall Street greed and its reverberating effects on the U.S. economy offer a modern backdrop for director Adam McKay‘s smart and funny film ‘The Big Short,'” said PSIFF Chairman Harold Matzner in a statement. “Taking a complicated subject – the 2008 subprime mortgage bond crisis – McKay and his perfectly cast stars weave an engaging comedic story of a group of oddball money managers who see the train wreck coming and conspire to benefit.”

“The Big Short” is nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, as well as two Screen Actors Guild Awards, one for Bale and one for its ensemble cast.

Past recipients of the Ensemble Award include the casts of “Argo,” “American Hustle,” “The Imitation Game,” “The Social Network” and “Babel.”

The Palm Springs International Film Festival will begin on Friday and run through Jan. 11 in the desert resort 100 miles east of Los Angeles.

29 Oscar Contenders Voters and Fans Need to See

"Spotlight" A contender for Best Picture, director and screenplay -- as well as the supporting acting categories.
Open Road Films
"The Martian" Ridley Scott may have his best shot at an Oscar with this sci-fi drama, which is also a contender for Best Picture. Matt Damon is in the hunt for Best Actor as well.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Carol" Todd Haynes' period romance is getting lots of buzz for major categories, particularly for stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.
The Weinstein Company
"Room" Brie Larson is a favorite in the Best Actress race, and there's chatter for co-stars Jacob Tremblay and Joan Allen.
A24
"Joy" David O. Russell movies are consistent awards bait, and Jennifer Lawrence is poised to earn her third consecutive nomination.
Annapurna Pictures
"The Revenant" Alejandro G. Inarritu's dark revenge tale is getting lots of awards traction, particularly for Leonardo DiCaprio's performance.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Brooklyn" Saoirse Ronan is a strong contender for Best Actress, and there's much love for John Crowley's old-fashioned period drama.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Straight Outta Compton" F. Gary Gray's biopic of the rap group N.W.A boasts some of the best reviews of the year, including raves for newcomer Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E.
Universal Pictures
"Mad Max: Fury Road" The National Board of Review winner for Best Picture is a long-shot outside of technical categories, but it could surprise in the picture, directing or actress categories.
Warner Bros
"Steve Jobs" Aaron Sorkin is a likely nominee for his adapted screenplay, and Michael Fassbender is a strong contender for Best Actor.
Universal Pictures
"Suffragette" Carey Mulligan is in the hunt for Best Actress for her role in this historical drama about the battle for British women to get the vote.
Focus Features
"Inside Out" Pixar's hit could become the first animated movie to earn a Best Picture nod since 2011's "Toy Story 3."
Pixar Studios/Walt Disney Pictures
"The Danish Girl" Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander are getting major buzz for their performances in a period drama with a topical transgender twist.
Focus Features
"Bridge of Spies" You can never count out Steven Spielberg, particularly when he reteams with star Tom Hanks. Look out for Mark Rylance in supporting actor race
Amblin Entertainment/Walt Disney Pictures
"Beasts of No Nation" Cary Joji Fukunaga's gritty drama about African child soldiers has drawn raves, but most overcome its limited theatrical release by Netflix.
Netflix
"Son of Saul" The Hungarian Holocaust drama is a frontrunner in the foreign-language film race but could also score nods in other categories.
Sony Pictures Classics
"The Hateful Eight" Quentin Tarantino's Western is getting the usual Oscar talk, particularly for his screenplay and supporting actress Jennifer Jason Leigh.
The Weinstein Company
"Concussion" Will Smith has won early acclaim for his performance as the doctor who discovered CTE, the brain injury experienced by so many former NFL players.
Columbia Pictures
"The Big Short" Adam McKay's fact-based comic drama boasts a starry cast and major topicality, boosting its awards profile.
Paramount Pictures
"Creed" Ryan Coogler's reboot of the "Rocky" franchise has drawn raves, and Sylvester Stallone's supporting turn as boxer-turned-coach could earn him a supporting actor nod.
Warner Bros
"Youth" Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel and Jane Fonda are all in the mix in acting categories for Paolo Sorrentino's indie.
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"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" J.J. Abrams' top-secret blockbuster should dominate in technical categories but could pull off a surprise in Best Picture
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"Trumbo" Jay Roach's biopic of the blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter is drawing attention for the performances of Bryan Cranston as well as Helen Mirren as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper.
Universal Pictures
"99 Homes" Michael Shannon and Andrew Garfield are generating talk for their performance in the Ramin Bahrani- directed drama.
Lionsgate
"Anomalisa" Charlie Kaufman's stop-motion animated film could pull off a surprise in the Animated Feature category.
Paramount Pictures
"Mr. Holmes" Ian McKellen is angling for his third Oscar nomination for playing an aging Sherlock Holmes in Bill Condon's movie.
Roadside Attractions
"45 Years" Veteran actress Charlotte Rampling could score her first nomination for playing half of a couple preparing for their 45th wedding anniversary.
Sundance Selects
"Grandma" As an acerbic woman helping her granddaughter as she faced an unplanned pregnancy, Lily Tomlin could score her first nomination since 1975's "Nashville."
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"Love & Mercy" Paul Dano and John Cusack have both won acclaim for playing the younger and older versions of troubled Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson.
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