The cast of the film, La La Land, will receive the Vanguard Award at the 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Jan. 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
The award is presented to the film’s cast and director recognizing its outstanding creative ensemble. La La Land cast members Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone and director/writer Damien Chazelle are expected to attend. The film festival runs Jan. 2-16.
“Director and writer Damien Chazelle delivers a resonant cinematic masterpiece with La La Land,” said Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “This visually stunning film pays tribute to classic Hollywood musicals with a contemporary love story driven by pitch-perfect performances by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.”
Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Chazelle, La La Land, from Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment label, tells the story of an aspiring actress, Mia (Stone), and a dedicated jazz musician, Sebastian (Gosling), both struggling to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts. Set in modern-day Los Angeles, this original musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams.
Visit www.psfilmfest.org for more information, or call 760-322-2930 or 800-898-7256.
• See related Film Festival Award Gala stories on Tom Hanks, Casey Affleck, and Ruth Negga.