Film Awards Canceled Due to COVID Spike

2022 Film Awards Canceled Out of an Abundance of Caution

The Film Awards will not take place this year on Thursday, Jan. 6, as originally planned, according to the film festival’s website,

“We are taking this action due to the recent spike in COVID cases and out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of the honorees, patrons, and staff.” the website states.

The Palm Springs Film Awards are one of the largest events in the film world with 2,500 guests and more than 1,000 staff in the room. The screening portion of the Palm Springs International Film Festival will take place Jan. 7 through Jan. 17 ad will require proof of vaccination and the wearing of a mask.

The Film Awards will partner with Entertainment Tonight to celebrate this year’s honorees with details to follow. Those who purchased tickets for the Film Awards will be reimbursed.

Organizers hope to return to the Film Awards to an in-person event in 2023, according to the Website.

Some stars scheduled to receive honors were: Chastain joins this year’s previously announced honorees Jane Campion (Director of the Year Award), Penélope Cruz (International Star Award, Actress) and Kristen Stewart (Spotlight Award, Actress).

On Friday, Riverside County health officials reported the first local confirmed case of the omicron variant.

The person was identified as 41-year-old fully vaccinated man from the western portion of the county. Local health officials are investigating whether the man had traveled before being tested for COVID-19 in Los Angeles County on Dec. 8.