Steven Spielberg's 'The Fabelmans' to receive Vanguard Award at Palm Springs film awards

"The Fabelmans," the latest film from Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg, will receive the Vanguard Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards.

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. The award will be presented to Spielberg and cast members Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle and Judd Hirsch, who are all expected to attend.

The Film Awards will take place in person on Jan. 5 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the Palm Springs International Film Festival running through Jan. 16. The 2022 festival was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The director's most intimate and personal film yet tells a semiautobiographical coming-of-age story of a young man, Sammy (LaBelle), who discovers his love for filmmaking. The film explores love, the pursuit of dreams, sacrifices people make and moments of discovery that allow us to see the truth about ourselves, and our parents, with clarity and compassion.

“The Fabelmans is an achievement not only as a deeply personal portrait of Steven Spielberg’s childhood, but also as a profoundly universal story that each and every one of us can relate to. Giving audiences a glimpse at Spielberg’s early love for movies and moviemaking, the film features a tremendous ensemble performance by Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle and Judd Hirsch, making it one of the must-see films of the year,” Festival Chairman Harold Matzner said in a statement. “It is our honor to present the Vanguard Award to The Fabelmans.”

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," "La La Land," "Little Miss Sunshine" and "The Trial of the Chicago 7."

"The Fabelmans" joins this year’s previously announced honorees: Cate Blanchett (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress), Colin Farrell (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Sarah Polley (Director of the Year Award) and Michelle Yeoh (International Star Award).

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Spielberg's 'The Fabelmans' to receive award at Palm Springs film fest