Palm Springs International Film Awards to Honor ‘Conclave’ With Ensemble Performance Award

The Palm Springs International Film Awards will honor Edward Berger‘s Catholic drama “Conclave” with the ensemble performance award on Jan. 3 at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, which runs from Jan. 2-13.

Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Lucian Msamati are expected to attend to accept the award.

“’Conclave’ is a thought-provoking drama, one which delivers edge-of-your-seat suspense by way of its outstanding ensemble of actors including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati and Isabella Rossellini,” said festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. “Together, they deliver powerful and multi-layered performances in Edward Berger’s film that will mesmerize audiences throughout this award season. For these actors’ brilliant and captivating characterizations, we present ‘Conclave’ with this year’s ensemble performance award.”

“Conclave,” based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris, follows Thomas Lawrence (Fiennes), a Cardinal of waning faith who must lead the selection of a new pope after the sudden passing of the former.

Former winners of the ensemble performance award include the casts of “King Richard,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” Hidden Figures,” “The Big Short,” “The Imitation Game,” “American Hustle,” “Argo,” “Young Adult,” “The Social Network,” “Revolutionary Road,” “Hairspray” and “Babel.”

First premiering at Telluride Film Festival, “Conclave” has emerged as a serious awards contender with the potential to take home Oscar gold in multiple categories come March. Variety film critic Peter Debruge designated the film as a Critic’s Pick, hailing it as “one of those rare films that respects the audience’s attention, even as it sneaks a few tricks behind their backs, like the way one candidate climbs with each passing vote.”