Variety will honor “Poor Things” director Yorgos Lanthimos with the Creative Impact in Directing Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. The award, which is for the director’s body of work including “The Favourite”, “The Lobster”, and “The Killing of A Sacred Deer”, will be presented as part of Variety’s annual 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards brunch presented by DIRECTV on January 5th at the Parker Palm Springs. “Poor Things” star and frequent collaborator with Yorgos, Emma Stone will be on hand to present him the award at the brunch.

"Poor Things” debuted at this year's Venice Film Festival where it won the Golden Lion. The Searchlight Pictures film has continued to wow audiences also premiering at the Telluride Film Festival, the New York Film Festival, and it won the Bronze Frog for Cinematographer Robbie Ryan and the Audience Award at CamerImage, as well as the Audience Award at the Stockholm Film Festival, Adelaide Film Festival, and more.

“Poor Things” was just named to both the AFI and National Board of Review lists of the year's top 10 films in addition to receiving a Gotham Award nomination, amongst its first awards season accolades. The film has recently received seven Golden Globe nominations including Best Musical or Comedy Motion Picture and Best Director, as well as 13 Critics Choice Awards nominations including Best Picture and Best Director. Lanthimos' previous Venice premieres were “Alps” (Golden Osella for Best Screenplay, 2011) and “The Favourite,” which won the festival's Grand Jury Prize before being nominated for 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director and winning seven BAFTA Awards including Outstanding British Film. His filmography also includes the Oscar-nominated and Un Certain Regard-winning “Dogtooth”; his English-language debut, the Cannes Jury Prize winner and Oscar nominee “The Lobster”; Cannes prize winner for Best Screenplay, “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”; and his acclaimed feature debut “Kinetta,” which premiered at Toronto and Berlin.

"Yorgos Lanthimos established himself as one of world cinema's top filmmakers nearly 15 years ago when his film "Dogtooth" startled and excited the crowds in Cannes at its premiere,” said Variety’s Executive Vice President Content, Steven Gaydos. “Every film since, including "Alps,” "The Lobster" and "The Favourite" has been an event, but this year's "Poor Things," is the crowning achievement in his wildly thriving career. The Golden Lion in Venice was only the beginning of the acclaim and Variety is proud to join the chorus of salutes to Lanthimos' fearless vision and superb mastery of his craft.”

Variety will announce its 10 Directors To Watch on January 3rd timed to the issue. Previous Creative Impact in Directing honorees include Baz Luhrmann, Ryan Coogler, Charlie Kaufman and Patty Jenkins.

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