‘The Invite’ to Receive Vanguard Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival

Olivia Wilde‘s The Invite will receive the Palm Springs International Film Festival‘s Vanguard Award, the Palm Springs International Film Awards announced on Wednesday.

The Vanguard Award is a group honor that distinguishes “a film’s cast and director in recognition of their collective work on an exceptional film project,” according to the organization. To accept the award, director and actor Wilde and actors Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton are confirmed to attend.

The Film Awards will take place on Jan. 7, 2027, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running from Jan. 7 to Jan. 18.

“With The Invite, Olivia Wilde has made a film that is both comedic and deeply human. In addition to directing, she stars alongside three of the most compelling actors working today: Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton,” festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi says. “Each of them brings something irreplaceable to this story, and together they’ve created something that has stayed with audiences long after the credits roll. We are thrilled to honor this incredible team with this year’s Vanguard Award.”

Since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, the film has garnered awards season buzz, including four Gotham Award nominations. Rashida Jones and Will McCormack wrote the screenplay for the film that follows two couples at a dinner party that turns into an unpredictable evening exposing messy relationships and desires.

Past recipients of the Vanguard Award include best picture Oscar winners Green Book and The Shape of Water, as well as best picture nominees Belfast, Emilia Pérez, Hamnet, Killers of the Flower Moon, La La Land, Little Miss Sunshine, The Fablemans and The Trial of the Chicago 7.