Amdocs Film Festival Kicks Off in Palm Springs, Featuring Local Filmmakers and Oscar-Qualifying Docs

The Amdocs Film Festival officially opens today at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, bringing a global slate of compelling documentaries — and some local stories — to the big screen.

The festival is Oscar-qualifying, meaning certain award winners can become eligible for Academy Award consideration. This year, filmmakers from 60 different countries are represented, and the Coachella Valley is proudly in the mix.

NBC Palm Springs’ Olivia Sandusky is one of the local filmmakers featured at the festival. Her special report, Restoring the Salton Sea, will air Saturday at noon as a double feature, followed by her report Tribes of the Coachella Valley on Monday at 11 a.m. Both will screen at the Camelot Theaters inside the cultural center.

“I’m just completely honored and flattered,” Olivia said. “To see these stories take the big screen is incredibly exciting.”

Other local creators include John Goodwin and Noelle Cook, both based in Palm Springs. Goodwin’s animated film Arthur Rackham’s Cinderella brings to life illustrations from a 1919 edition of the classic tale. Cook’s film, The Conspiracists, examines the complex stories of women present at the January 6 Capitol events — encouraging audiences to reflect on the line between sympathy and empathy.

The festival runs through Monday, with a packed lineup of documentaries, animations, and short films covering a wide range of topics. Olivia and the Amdocs team are also giving away free festival passes through the NBC Palm Springs “Cool” page — offering lucky viewers the chance to experience multiple screenings.

For full festival details and showtimes, visit the Amdocs Film Festival website.

To stream "Tribes of the Coachella Valley" Click HERE

To Stream "Restoring the Salton Sea" CLICK HERE

To Stream "Salton Sea"

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