Following its celebrated Sundance premiere, The Invite became a breakout cultural and box office success, winning over audiences with its razor-sharp humor, irresistible ensemble, and disarming emotional depth. Masterfully directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, the film finds both hilarity and humanity in the complexities of marriage, intimacy, and the relationships that shape our lives. What begins as a dinner party between two neighboring couples spirals into an unpredictable evening of revelations, desire, and unexpected connection. Beneath its biting comedy is a heartfelt exploration of the messiness of human relationships, and the complicated, often surprising ways we love one another. The screenplay was adapted by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones.
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS TO HONOR ANDREW GARFIELD WITH SPOTLIGHT AWARD, ACTOR FOR HIS PERFORMANCE IN ARTIFICIAL
Palm Springs, CA (November 12, 2026) – The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Andrew Garfield is the recipient of the Spotlight Award, Actor for his performance in Artificial. The Film Awards will take place on January 7, 2027, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 7-18, 2027. The event will be presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight and Soho House with Cadillac as the official vehicle.
“Andrew Garfield continues to prove his range as one of the most versatile talents of his generation,” said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. “As Sam Altman in Artificial, Garfield captures the complexities of one of the most polarizing figures of the twenty-first century. The depth of his performance is a testament to his remarkable skill as an actor. It is our honor to present Andrew Garfield with the Spotlight Award, Actor at this year’s Palm Springs International Film Awards.”
Andrew Garfield stars as Sam Altman in Neon’s Artificial. From director Luca Guadagnino comes the story of OpenAI and a two decade artificial intelligence arms race. When a computer scientist and AI pioneer Professor Geoffrey Hinton (Mark Rylance) makes a breakthrough they are certain will alter humanity forever, Sam Altman, Elon Musk (Ike Barinholtz) and the most prominent figures in Silicon Valley race to become part of their vision. As the technology becomes more powerful and more valuable than anyone ever imagined, a battle wages over who should control the tech that could change the fate of humanity. The film also stars Yura Borisov, Monica Barbaro, Cooper Hoffman and Jason Schwartzman.
Garfield joins this year’s previously announced honorees The Invite’s Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton (Vanguard Award), La Bola Negra’s directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, as well as actors Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau and Penélope Cruz (International Star Award), Martin McDonagh (Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award), Inde Navarette (Rising Star Award) and Andrew Scott (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor). Garfield previously received the Spotlight Award, Actor for Hacksaw Ridge. Other past recipients of Spotlight Award, Actor include Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Bryan Cranston for Trumbo, Brendan Fraser for The Whale, and Colman Domingo for Sing Sing and Rustin. All went on to receive Academy Award nominations for Best Actor, with Fraser receiving the Best Actor award.
Andrew Garfield is a two-time Academy Award® and Emmy® Award nominated, and Golden Globe®, BAFTA and Tony® Award-winning actor, known for his transformative performances on both screen and stage. His career, recognized with multiple accolades, has extended across two decades. Garfield will next be seen in Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial, a darkly comic drama exploring the rise of OpenAI and the events surrounding Sam Altman’s ousting and reinstatement as CEO in 2023. Written by Simon Rich, the film also stars Yura Borisov, Monica Barbaro, Mark Rylance and Cooper Hoffman. In April 2027, he will be
seen AppleTV+’s Limited Series Wild Things starring alongside Jude Law, where both are serving as executive producers. Based on the Apple original podcast, Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy. The duo pushes the concept of illusion versus reality to the extreme, personally and professionally, until tragedy reframes and opens a mystery surrounding their last fateful Las Vegas show. His stage work includes the Broadway revival of Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer-Prize Winning Angels In America (2018). For his portrayal as Prior Walter, he earned a Tony Award® for Best Lead Actor in a Play as well as Olivier Award, Drama League, and Drama Desk nominations. Garfield made his Broadway debut in 2012 as Biff Loman in Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Death Of A Salesman, earning a Tony® nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
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 the Oscar®-qualifying ShortFest is the largest short film festival and market in North America. The festivals, year-round member screenings and educational programs manifest the organization’s mission by nurturing and encouraging new filmmaking talent, honoring the great masters of world cinema, and expanding audience horizons. The City of Palm Springs is the title sponsor of both festivals. The Film Awards are presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight.
About Kering
Kering is a global, family-led luxury group, home to people whose passion and expertise nurture creative Houses across couture and ready-to-wear, leather goods, jewelry, and eyewear: Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, Dodo, Qeelin, Ginori 1735, and Kering Eyewear. Inspired by their creative heritage, Kering Houses design and craft exceptional products and experiences that reflect the Group’s commitment to excellence, sustainability and culture. This vision is expressed in our signature: Creativity is our Legacy.
Kering’s commitment to women is at the heart of the Group’s priorities and, through Women In Motion, extends to the arts and culture, where gender inequalities persist, even though creation is one of the most powerful vectors for change. A pioneering program created in 2015, Women In Motion highlights the talent and diversity of the voices shaping the artistic world, providing a space for dialogue and action, in order to continue promoting the recognition and influence of women in creation.
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Photo Credit: Maarten de Boer
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