Palm Springs International Film Society Launches Two New Awards Honoring Philanthropist Harold Matzner

On July 15, the Palm Springs International Film Society (PSIFS) announced the creation of two awards bearing the name of Harold Matzner, a longtime philanthropist and former chairman of the society’s film festival. The honors will be presented at a Palm Springs Honors event on October 19, 2026, in Los Angeles.

The first, the Harold Matzner Impact Award, offers a $25,000 finishing grant to emerging filmmakers whose projects are in the final stages of post‑production. The grant is earmarked for socially conscious works that tackle civil and human rights, health, education, environmental sustainability, criminal justice, immigration, economic inequality, disability and accessibility, gender equity, LGBTQ+ communities, Indigenous communities, or housing and food insecurity. Recipients may allocate the funds for color correction, sound design and mix, original score, deliverables, accessibility materials, marketing and publicity, festival submission fees, travel, impact campaign development, community screenings, audience engagement or distribution preparation.

Beyond the cash award, the winner will receive transportation to the October 19 ceremony, recognition at the Palm Springs International Film Awards on January 7, 2027, and priority programming consideration for the completed film at either the Palm Springs International Film Festival or the Palm Springs International ShortFest.

The second honor, the Harold Matzner Distinguished Achievement Award, will celebrate an individual whose career has profoundly shaped the global film industry through artistic excellence, visionary leadership and lasting philanthropic impact. The award will be presented at the same October 19 event.

Both awards will be chosen by an internal committee. Applications for the Impact Award are open to U.S.‑based directors or producers who are submitting a project that is in post‑production. The application deadline is August 4, 2026, and the full eligibility requirements and application form can be found at filmfreeway.com/HaroldMatznerImpactAward.

Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said the society is "honored to partner with the Ebbets Field Foundation in creating these two awards in Harold Matzner’s name." He added that the awards "capture the full breadth of Harold’s passion, celebrating both the masters who have shaped the entertainment industry and the emerging storytellers poised to shape its future. The Harold Matzner Impact Award particularly meets these filmmakers at a pivotal moment, giving them the support to finish their films and get vital stories in front of the audiences who need them most – a fitting extension of our mission to champion voices that might otherwise go unheard."

Matzner, who died on September 4, 2025 at the age of 88, earned the nickname "Mr. Palm Springs" for his philanthropic work and business leadership. Over nearly four decades he donated more than $85 million to local nonprofits. He ran a national marketing and print advertising business in New Jersey and owned several hospitality venues in Palm Springs, including Spencer’s Restaurant and Carousel Catering.

From 1997 to 2023, Matzner served as chairman of the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the McCallum Theatre, helping to restore the region’s reputation as a major destination for film and the arts. He also held leadership roles with the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Palm Springs Tennis Club Members Association, the Eisenhower Health Board of Trustees, and the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Board of Directors.

The Ebbets Field Foundation, founded by Matzner, will provide the funding for the Impact Award. The foundation’s mission is to support projects that align with Matzner’s legacy of community enrichment and cultural development.

The PSIFS has long organized the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Palm Springs International ShortFest, and a year‑round slate of screenings and educational events. Its film awards ceremony, held each January, has become a key event in the industry’s awards season.

By launching these new honors, the society extends that legacy, offering emerging filmmakers the resources they need to complete socially relevant projects and acknowledging established industry leaders who have made lasting contributions. The first recipients will be announced at the October 19 ceremony, and the Impact Award winner will be highlighted at the January 7 film awards.

Filmmakers interested in applying should note the August 4, 2026 deadline and submit through FilmFreeway. The PSIFS will continue to manage the selection process and will announce the awardees in the months leading up to the ceremony.