The cast of the acclaimed film Sentimental Value will be honored with this year’s International Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, festival organizers announced Wednesday.
Actors Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning are expected to attend the ceremony to accept the award, which will be presented by director Joachim Trier, who helmed the film.
“We are proud to present the International Star Award to the cast of Sentimental Value, the first time this honor has been given to an ensemble,” said festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. “This extraordinary group embodies the very spirit of international cinema that our festival celebrates. Their deeply felt performances illuminate Joachim Trier’s moving story of family and reconciliation. With Sentimental Value representing Norway for Best International Feature Film, we are thrilled to recognize a film and cast whose impact resonates across cultures and continents.”
Sentimental Value tells the story of sisters Nora (Reinsve) and Agnes (Lilleaas) as they attempt to reconnect with their estranged father, Gustav (Skarsgård). Once a celebrated filmmaker, Gustav offers Nora the lead role in his newest project, a film about his mother. She initially refuses, passing the part to a Hollywood star, played by Elle Fanning, setting the stage for a complex exploration of family, artistry, and reconciliation.
The International Star Award, which celebrates exceptional acting talent in international cinema, has previously honored some of Hollywood’s most acclaimed performers, including Nicole Kidman, Carey Mulligan, Michelle Yeoh, Penélope Cruz, Helen Mirren, Saoirse Ronan, and Charlize Theron. Notably, Yeoh won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, while Mulligan (Maestro), Cruz (Parallel Mothers), and Ronan (Lady Bird) received Oscar nominations in their respective years.
The Palm Springs International Film Awards ceremony will take place on January 3 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The festival itself will run from January 2 through January 11, featuring screenings, panels, and special events celebrating the year’s outstanding international films.
Sentimental Value’s ensemble recognition marks a historic moment for the festival, highlighting the growing appreciation for collaborative performances in cinema and the power of storytelling across borders.