On Thursday night, the 35th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala was a star-studded affair, with Hollywood’s elite, including Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Carey Mulligan, Danielle Brooks, and Colman Domingo, gracing the event to receive their well-deserved accolades.
The red carpet was ablaze with Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Taraji P. Henson, all there to support their peers.
One of the highlights of the evening was Greta Gerwig, who snagged the prestigious Director Of The Year award, presented by none other than her Barbie stars, Margot Robbie and America Ferrera.
Elegance Personified: Greta Gerwig radiates on the red carpet in her custom 16Arlington black sequined dress at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on January 4, 2024, in Palm Springs, California (Credit: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
Draped in a custom creation from 16Arlington’s Spring 2024 collection, the 40-year-old American actress and director took the stage in a black sequined dress.
The silhouette of her dress, designed exclusively for Gerwig by the London-based label, featured an exaggerated skirt adorned with smaller paliettes, creating a mesmerizing effect.
Styled by the talented Karla Welch, whose clientele includes Karlie Kloss, Tracee Ellis Ross, Hailey Bieber, Sarah Paulson, and Olivia Wilde, she accessorized her look with an eye-catching diamond-studded silver choker.
Greta Gerwig showcases her feet in crystal-embellished Gianvito Rossi strappy sandal heels (Credit: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
The Lady Bird director paired her sparkling ensemble with matching Gianvito Rossi strappy sandal heels, adding elegance.
Greta Gerwig’s Acceptance Speech for Director Of The Year Award
During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Greta Gerwig expressed her gratitude to Margot Robbie and America Ferrera, saying, “I cannot believe we got to make this film, and I pinch myself every day that I have brilliant collaborators like the two of you. I can’t thank you enough.”
The Frances Ha star emphasized the joy of collaboration in filmmaking, calling it her “favorite part” of the creative process: “It is an art that depends on and takes place between people. It takes place in the space between people. It is in the space that exists between us that we attempt to reach each other and make something magical.”
Reflecting on her journey, Gerwig shared, “So, four years ago, in 2020, I presented this very award to Quentin Tarantino for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and I cannot believe, and I am beyond honored that it is being given to me.”
A Study in Detail: The intricate sequins and exaggerated skirt of Greta Gerwig’s 16Arlington gown shimmer under the gala lights (Credit: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
She continued, “It took me a long time to say out loud that I wanted to be a director, but when I finally did say it, that I finally did say I wanted to direct, and I did it, it was like getting to fall in love with movies all over again.”
The Global Icon & Creator Tribute awardee recounted childhood memories of being profoundly moved by The Muppets Take Manhattan, a 1984 film that ignited her passion for storytelling.
Opening up about her multifaceted involvement in the film industry, Gerwig revealed, “I’ve acted, I’ve written and produced, I’ve held booms and cameras and bounce boards and thrifted for costumes and done my hair and makeup, but nothing has given me a greater thrill or a greater satisfaction or a greater terror or a greater euphoria than directing.”