Black Excellence Recognized at the Palm Springs Film Festival — But Representation Still Lags Behind

Each year, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) brings global attention, world-renowned artists, and thousands of attendees to our city. It is one of the most prestigious cultural events in the Coachella Valley — a place where creativity, storytelling, and cinematic brilliance are celebrated on an international stage.

This year Michael B. Jordan an extraordinary Black artist will be honored at the festival. Moments like this matter. They highlight the undeniable contributions of Black creatives to film, culture, and the arts. They inspire our youth. They affirm the longstanding cultural impact of Black artistry in America and beyond.

But celebration alone is not enough.

A Festival Without Black Leadership
Despite its international presence and decades-long history, the Palm Springs International Film Festival continues to operate without Black representation among its board members or leadership staff. This absence stands in stark contrast to the diverse artistic talent the festival showcases — including the very Black artists it honors.

Representation behind the scenes is just as important as representation on screen. Black leadership helps shape programming, outreach, partnerships, and decision-making. It influences who gets invited, who gets recognized, and who feels welcome. Without Black voices in positions of power, institutions risk reinforcing the same inequities they often claim to challenge. For a city with a rich Black history — from Desert Highland Gateway Estates to the legacy of Lawrence Crossley — the lack of Black governance within one of Palm Springs’ largest cultural institutions is not simply an oversight; it is a missed opportunity.

A Festival Many Black Residents Don’t Experience
Another reality rarely discussed is that many Black residents of Palm Springs and the surrounding valley do not participate in Film Festival events. Whether due to cost, culture, accessibility, or a lack of intentional outreach, the result is the same: the communities who have shaped Palm Springs for generations remain on the outside of one of the region’s most celebrated events.

When local Black residents do not see themselves reflected in board leadership, staffing, marketing, or programming, it sends a message about who the festival is for and who it is not. This disconnect is especially striking considering the cultural depth and contributions of Black Palm Springs — from Section 14 to the many leaders, artists, and families who have built this city’s identity.

Recognition Must Be Paired with Inclusion
Honoring a Black artist at PSIFF is meaningful. It is worthy of celebration. But acknowledgment without inclusion cannot drive true progress. If the festival is committed to growth, modernization, and equity, it must embrace a more intentional approach to Black representation. That includes broadening its leadership to include Black voices, hiring Black staff across programming and outreach roles, and building authentic partnerships with Black community organizations and neighborhoods. Equally important is ensuring that local Black residents can genuinely participate — whether through accessible ticketing, community screenings, or outreach that connects the festival to the neighborhoods that have historically been left out. The festival should also recognize Palm Springs’ own Black history within its programming, honoring the people and stories that have too often been overlooked.

Moving Forward
As Palm Springs evolves, institutions like the International Film Festival face a pivotal moment. Recognition of Black artists must be matched by representation, equity, and meaningful community inclusion. Urban Palm Springs celebrates the Black excellence uplifted at the festival — and also calls for the structural change necessary to make that excellence more than symbolic.

True progress happens when our city’s largest stages, boards, and cultural spaces reflect the full diversity of the people who call Palm Springs home.