‘Hamnet’ to receive Vanguard Award at PSIFF; Chloé Zhao, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal expected to attend
Jesus Reyes
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The film “Hamnet” will receive the Vanguard Award at the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Festival. Director Chloé Zhao, as well as actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, are expected to attend the award presentation.
The Film Awards will take place on January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 2-12, 2026. The event will be presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight.
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The Vanguard Award is a group honor distinguishing a film’s cast and director in recognition of their collective work on an exceptional film project. Past recipients of the Vanguard Award include Academy Award Best Picture winners Green Book and The Shape of Water as well as Best Picture nominees Belfast, Emilia Pérez, Killers of the Flower Moon, La La Land, Little Miss Sunshine, The Fablemans, and The Trial of the Chicago 7.
“It is an enormous honor to present this year’s Vanguard Award to Hamnet,” said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. “One of the most resonant films of the year, director Chloé Zhao brings forth a story of enormous weight to the screen. Alongside her direction, the extraordinary performances of Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal establish its human core. We are excited to recognize Hamnet for its exceptional achievement in cinematic storytelling.”
From Academy Award® winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, comes a sensitively observed, magnificently crafted tale about the complexities of love and the healing power of art and creativity. Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel Hamnet, the story follows impoverished Latin tutor William Shakespeare and free-spirited Agnes. The pair, captivated by one another, strike up a torrid affair that leads to marriage and three children. Yet as Will pursues a budding theater career in far-away London, Agnes anchors the domestic sphere alone. When tragedy strikes, the couple’s once-unshakable bond is tested, but their shared experience sets the stage for the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet.
Hamnet joins this year’s previously announced honorees Michael B. Jordan (Icon Award), Leonardo DiCaprio (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Adam Sandler (Chairman’s Award) and Sentimental Value cast members Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning (International Star Award).