'The Fencer,' 'Last Cab to Darwin' to Open and Close Palm Springs Film Festival

AWARDS BEAT

The Finnish Oscar entry “The Fencer” and the Australian road movie “Last Cab to Darwin” will serve as opening and closing night films at the 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival, PSIFF organizers announced on Thursday.

In addition, the festival announced screenings and conversations with Lily Tomlin and “Amy” director Asif Kapadia, as well as special screenings of films that include “The Revenant” and “The Brand New Testament.”

The Palm Springs Film festival will kick off on Friday, Jan. 1 with “The Fencer,” director Klaus Härö’s crowd-pleasing drama about a real-life Estonian fencer who was drafted into the occupying German army during World War II and then persecuted by the Soviets after the war.

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It will close with the U.S. premiere of Jeremy Sims’ “Last Cab to Darwin,” starring Michael Caton and Jackie Weaver in the story of a man who embarks on a drive through the Australian outback after learning he will die soon.

The festival’s Talking Pictures program will include a screening of “Grandma,” followed by a Q&A with Lily Tomlin, and a screening of the Amy Winehouse doc “Amy,” followed by a conversation with director Kapadia.

The Special Presentations section will consist of screenings of the blackly comic Belgian Oscar entry “The Brand New Testament” and Alejandro G. Inarritu’s “The Revenant,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as the U.S. premiere of Gavin Hood‘s “Eye in the Sky,” a thriller about drone warfare starring Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman.

Also Read: 'The Revenant' Premiere Roars Into Hollywood With Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy (Photos)

PSIFF also announced a Dinner & a Movie program, which will consist of a screening of “Cooking Up a Tribute,” a documentary about restaurateurs Josep, Jordi and Joan Roca, followed by a dinner at Mr. Lyons restaurant.

Additional programming information is available at www.psfilmfest.org.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival will take place from Jan. 1 through Jan. 11 in the desert resort town east of Los Angeles. Its annual fundraising awards gala will take place on Jan. 2.

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.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"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
Lucasfilm/Disney
"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."
Sony Pictures Classics
"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.
Roadside Attractions