Variety Presents Asghar Farhadi with the Creative Impact in Directing Award

ASGHAR FARHADI TO RECEIVE CREATIVE IMPACT IN DIRECTING AWARD AT VARIETY
10 DIRECTORS TO WATCH BRUNCH AT PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

LOS ANGELES, CA – (December 10, 2021) -- Variety will honor two-time Academy Award winning director Asghar Farhadi at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Friday, January 7 th as part of their annual “10 Directors to Watch” and Creative Impact Awards brunch at the Parker Palm Springs. Asghar will be celebrated for his recent film, “A Hero”, released by Amazon Studios as well his entire body of work which includes “A Separation”, “Everybody Knows”, and “The Salesman”.

“With 'A Hero'; Oscar-winning filmmaker Asghar Farhadi reaffirms his place at the forefront of international writer-directors,” said Variety’s Executive Vice President of Content, Steven Gaydos, “The film's Grand Prix award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival was only the beginning of its international acclaim. As with 'A Separation’ and 'The Salesman' Farhadi has again elicited praise from film critics and awards voters who value Farhadi's now-trademark virtues of densely layered screenplays and complex, sophisticated performances, all in the hands of a master of understated direction and compelling, thoughtful humanism."

Past recipients of the Creative Impact in Directing Award include Ryan Coogler, Patty Jenkins, Rob
Marshall, Steve M c Queen, Jeff Nichols, Todd Phillips and more. This year’s 10 Directors to Watch are
Aitch Alberto (“Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”), Mariama Diallo (“Master”),
Audrey Diwan (“Happening”), Maggie Gyllenhaal (“The Lost Daughter”), Tatiana Huezo (“Prayers for the Stolen”), Nikyatu Jusu (“Nanny”), Megan Park (“The Fallout”), Cooper Raiff (“Cha Cha Real Smooth”), Goran Stolevski (“You Won’t Be Alone”) and Krystin Ver Linden (“Alice”).

The Palm Springs International Film Festival (www.psfilmfest.org) will be held January 6-17, 2021.

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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.

About Parker Palm Springs

Situated on 13 lush acres, the Parker Palm Springs is an estate where luxury is fun. Designed by Jonathan Adler, the property boasts 131 rooms, 12 villas, and the 2-bedroom Gene Autry Residence. There are 4 restaurants - Norma’s (of NY fame), Mister Parker’s, a dark and seductive French bistro, Counter-Reformation, a hidden wine bar, and the Lemonade Stand, perfect for an afternoon bite or cocktail. The Palm Springs Yacht Club spa at over 18,000 sq. feet is well-known and a place to indulge in a treatment, take a yoga class, or even lounge at the Deck. Additionally, the hotel has 4 red clay tennis courts, grounds consisting of games such as croquet and petanque as well as outdoor fire pits and fountains. The perfect desert escape! 4200 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264. (760) 770-5000, www.theparkerpalmsprings.com.

Media Contact:
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Steven Wilson / Lauren Peteroy Kelly
Steven.wilson@scenariopr.com / lauren.peteroy@scenariopr.com