Sean Penn will appear at AmDocs Film Fest. His film 'Superpower' to be honored
The American Documentary and Animation Film Festival returns for its 13th year with two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn's "Superpower" as the opening night selection at 6 p.m. March 21 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
The 13th annual AmDocs is scheduled for March 21-25 at the Cultural Center. More than 200 films from across the globe will be screened at the festival.
Here's what you need to know.
Penn will attend the festival
Penn is slated to attend the documentary and animation festival, and he'll receive the Seeing The Bigger Picture Award, the festival's highest honor.
Initially, "Superpower," directed by Penn and Aaron Kaufman, was meant to be a whimsical look at how Volodymyr Zelenskyy went from a comedic actor to Ukraine's president. But on Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. From then on, Penn, who was sheltering in a bunker in the Presidential Palace, turned the cameras onto the tense situation to show how events were unfolding in this "David and Goliath" struggle.
"This work provides a close-up perspective on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, offering an unfiltered view into the onset of the war," AmDocs Director Ted Grouya said in a statement. "I believe our audience will resonate with the film's narrative and Sean's insights on the invasion of Ukraine."
While Penn may be best known for his on-screen work, winning Academy Awards for his roles in "Milk" and "Mystic River," he has also stepped behind the camera over the years. In 1991, he made his feature directing debut with "The Indian Runner." His 2007 film, "Into the Wild," earned a Directors Guild of America nomination.
More than 200 films will be screened
This year, AmDocs reviewed more than 2,000 films from around the world and has narrowed its selection to more than 200.
Screenings are grouped by programs, and some include films dedicated to sports, justice and advocacy stories, artists, entrepreneurship and health.
Other film highlights include "Merman," a short documentary that introduces the world to Palm Springs resident and registered nurse André Chambers; "Oasis," a coming-of-age story centering on brothers, including one with developmental disabilities; and "Wings of Dust," which follows a Quechua Indigenous journalist who risks his life to protect the natural resources of ancestral lands.
Additionally, for the 2024 festival, there is a new competition category featuring music videos.
Visit www.amdocfilmfest.com/ for the full schedule and synopses of films.
How to get tickets
Festival passes and tickets are now available now at https://filmfreeway.com/AmericanDocumentaryFilmFestivalandFilmFund/tickets
Tickets for opening night cost $30, while individual programs cost $10.
A number of passes are also available, including The Big Deal VIP All Access Pass for $169. Others include the Flex Express Pass ($149, grants access to all program screenings except opening night), the 6 for 5 pass ($50), 2 Day All Access Pass ($70) and 3 Day All Access Pass ($85).
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Sean Penn coming to Palm Springs. 'Superpower' to be honored at AmDoc
