The Palm Springs International Film Festival, which kicks off Friday and runs through Jan. 12, has become an increasingly important stop on the film awards season circuit — to the point that much of the industry now cuts short its holiday break in order to rush to the Coachella Valley right after New Year’s Day.

The Academy has announced that Oscar voters will actually have to watch all the movies in a category before making their final-round picks. It's on the honor system, but hey, it's a start.