Leonardo DiCaprio was unable to attend the Palm Springs International Film Awards on Saturday, Jan. 3, after travel disruptions prevented him from reaching California, organizers confirmed. DiCaprio was scheduled to be the closing honoree of the evening, receiving the prestigious Desert Palm Achievement Award for his performance in One Battle After Another. His absence marked one of the night’s most notable moments at the annual awards gala, which serves as an early stop on the awards-season circuit.
Travel Issues Force Last-Minute Absence
According to a spokesperson for the Palm Springs International Film Festival, DiCaprio was unable to attend due to “unexpected travel disruptions and restricted airspace.” Reports indicated that the actor was in St. Barts and could not depart amid Caribbean air restrictions linked to international travel complications.
“While we will miss celebrating with him in person, we are honored to recognize his exceptional work and lasting contributions to cinema,” the festival said in a statement. “His talent and dedication to the craft continue to inspire.”
A Virtual Acceptance Message
Despite missing the ceremony, DiCaprio addressed the audience through a pre-recorded video message. He was introduced by his One Battle After Another co-stars Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti.
“I’m stuck on the East Coast,” DiCaprio said in the video. “I wish I was there to celebrate with all of you. I’m truly grateful to be a part of it, even from the distance.”
During his remarks, the Oscar-winning actor reiterated his long-standing belief in the importance of theatrical moviegoing.
Defending the Big-Screen Experience
DiCaprio spoke passionately about cinema as a communal art form, recalling childhood trips to the Vista Theatre in Los Angeles with his father. He emphasized the emotional impact of watching films in a shared space and warned against reducing movies to disposable content.
“Original films are harder to make and harder to protect,” he said. “But movies still matter — not content, but cinema. Stories made by people are meant to be shared in a dark room, in a communal experience.”
His comments echoed broader industry concerns about the future of theaters in an era dominated by streaming platforms.
A Star-Studded Night in Palm Springs
While DiCaprio was absent, the Palm Springs Film Awards still delivered a high-profile evening. Timothée Chalamet received the Spotlight Actor of the Year Award for Marty Supreme, while Ethan Hawke accepted the Career Achievement Award.
Hawke’s speech touched on mental health, creativity, and the need to preserve artistic “wildness” in an increasingly automated world. The gala marked one of Hollywood’s first major red carpets of 2026, setting the tone for the months of awards campaigning ahead.
Looking Ahead
Although DiCaprio’s absence was felt, his message reinforced the values the Palm Springs Film Awards aim to celebrate: artistic integrity, theatrical storytelling, and cinema’s enduring cultural power. Even from afar, DiCaprio remained one of the night’s most talked-about voices.
