Palm Springs (December 20, 2023) -- Variety will honor “Ferrari” actor Penélope Cruz with the Creative Impact in Acting Award at the upcoming Palm Springs International Film Festival. The award will be presented as part of Variety’s annual 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards brunch presented by DIRECTV on Jan. 5 at the Parker Palm Springs. 

Cruz will be recognized for her accomplished career as a four-time Oscar nominee known for her daring, multidimensional and unforgettable performances in “Volver,” “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” “Nine” and “Parallel Mothers.” Her latest film, “Ferrari,” was directed by Michael Mann and stars Adam Driver as the iconic race car driver and entrepreneur. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and comes out in theaters on December 25, 2023. It was named to National Board of Review’s list of the year’s top 10 films and earned Cruz a Gotham Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Performance.

“More than 30 years after her stunning film debut in Bigas Lunas' Venice Festival prize winner, ‘Jamón Jamón,’ Penelope Cruz continues startling global film audiences with her limitless versatility in films created by the world's finest directors,” said Variety’s Executive Vice President Content, Steven Gaydos. “Her long association with Pedro Almodóvar has won her major accolades, and she took home the Oscar for Woody Allen's ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona.’ She's now at the peak of her powers in Michael Mann's masterpiece, ‘Ferrari.’ It's Variety's great honor to present our Creative Impact in Acting to Penelope Cruz, for both her illustrious career and for her powerful performance as the unforgettable woman at the heart of ‘Ferrari.’“

“Poor Things” director Yorgos Lanthimos and “Killers of the Flower Moon” co-writer Eric Roth are also set to receive honors at the Jan. 5 event. Variety will announce its 10 Directors to Watch on Jan. 3 timed to the issue.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival runs January 4-15, 2024. Passes and tickets are currently on sale. For additional information visit www.psfilmfest.org or call 760-778-8979 or 800-898-7256.

About the Palm Springs International Film Society

The Palm Springs International Film Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate and promote the art and science of film through education and cross-cultural awareness. The Film Society produces the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) and Film Awards every January and Palm Springs ShortFest in June. In addition to curating the best in international cinema, PSIFF’s Film Awards has come to be known as the first stop on the campaign trail for the Academy Awards®, and our Oscar®-qualifying ShortFest is the largest short film festival and market in North America. Our festivals, year-round member screenings and educational programs manifest our organization’s mission by nurturing and encouraging new filmmaking talent, honoring the great masters of world cinema, and expanding audience horizons.

Press Contacts: 

Scenario Communications  
PSIFF@scenariopr.com 

Daniel Mansour  
Marketing Manager, Palm Springs International Film Society
daniel@psfilmfest.org