What is the Gala?
The Opening Night Gala includes a popular film (selected by the Film Festival committee)
shown at the Palm Springs High School Auditorium followed by the Gala Party at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Music, food
and open bar are all included during the festivities. This is not a ‘typical’ CELS program; it is a unique program full of fun and excitement. The Opening Night Gala Program begins on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, with dinner & orientation. Thursday, January 06, 2011, begins with a late lunch at Melvyn’s restaurant and then on to the Opening Night Gala film and Party following. There are 6 films in addition to the Opening Night Film; 2 each on Friday and Saturday with the final film shown on Sunday morning. Transportation will be provided to and from the Gala.
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Lodging:
Renaissance Hotel, 888 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92264(Corner of Tahquitz & Avenida Caballeros) Phone: (760) 322-6000 – www.renaissancepalmspringshotel.com Recently renovated. 3 Blocks from downtown Palm Springs. 1 block from the Spa Casino. Located next to the PS convention Center. 1.5 miles to the theater. Each room in the beautiful hotel has a television, phone, data port, hair dryer, coffee maker, iron/board and 2 double beds or a king upon request. Refrigerator available for an additional fee at the front desk. The resort offers an extra large heated outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, full service spa, restaurant, beauty salon, and full service business center. Bell Hops and Concierge service, daily paper and gift shop. Daily maid service. Please let us know if you will be traveling with others so we can try to put you near one another. This, of course, is subject to the availability of rooms. We do have handicap accessible rooms, some with roll in showers and tubs w/bars (request early). There is a $10/day parking fee. Check out their website (listed above) to view the hotel grounds and rooms.
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Meals:
4 Breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners in addition to the Opening Gala. Lunches will be at the theatre; catered by our local Aspen Mills Bread Company who uses only natural foods, no artificial additives, flavors, processed sugar, dairy products, fats, or oils. The wheat bread is stone ground daily with natural wheat. Breads are sweetened with 100% natural honey – for health conscious participants. 1 dinner on your own so you may eat at your leisure at a restaurant of your choice. |
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Is transportation provided to the theatre?
Yes- daily transportation is available to the theatre from the hotel. Participants will be transported to the theatre in the morning and will be driven back to the hotel following the second film viewing. If you prefer, you can drive to the high school auditorium for our films and leave your car there and take the free Film Festival Shuttle to any of the other 6 venues to see additional films, or go downtown to shop or play at the casino, and then take the shuttle back to your car at the high school. The Free Film Festival Shuttle makes the full loop every 20 minutes. |
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Will I have to wait in line to see the films?
No- the CELS Palm Springs International Film Festival program has exclusive movie viewing. All movies are screened for our participants only. No need to wait in line and a seat is always guaranteed! To allow for this unique experience, our movie times occur during the morning and early afternoon. We are required to be out of the theatre by 2 pm. Your time is free for other activities after 2 pm. |
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Where will we watch the films?
All of the films will be viewed at the Palm Springs High School Auditorium. The PSHS Auditorium is one of the six viewing venues for the film festival and the only location large enough to house our popular program! They have a state-of-the-art sound system. |
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Will there be time to see more movies on my own?
Since all of the films are screened in the morning and early afternoon, you will have ample opportunity to see additional films or to go on one of our optional field trips. |
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Do I need to purchase additional movie tickets in advance?
Upon your arrival, you will have an opportunity to purchase additional tickets at our special $8.50 price (regularly $10-$11). If you sign up for any 2 of our CELS programs, you will be given an opportunity to purchase our 8-pack vouchers for $64 (regularly $80-$88). |
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Where can I find a listing of all the films in the Palm Springs Film Festival?
After 12/15/10, visit www.psfilmfest.org for the most up to date film listing. Also check our local newspaper, The Desert Sun at www.mydesert.com for listings. |
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Are the films for the CELS Gala 3 night program different than the other CELS Film Festival programs?
The films for this Opening Night Gala program are the same as the CELS/Elderhostel 3N program. The 4N Closing Night Gala and the 5N CELS/Elderhostel programs include films that are different than the 6 films offered for this Opening Night Gala program. We have many participants who register for several film festival programs. |
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Will there be an opportunity to critique the films?
Critiquing sessions will be scheduled at each of the hotels during the afternoon and/or evenings. Session times will vary by hotel. Final schedule will be available during orientation. We also have an 8AM critiquing session at the high school auditorium each morning before the first film. |
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How do I get to the other cinemas from my hotel?
Walk – Drive – take a Cab, ride the Sunline city bus (stops close to every hotel) or take the Free Film Festival Shuttle that stops at the Wyndham every 20 minutes. |
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Will I have a chance to vote for the Festival Best of the Fest Award winners?
Yes. We vote after each of our films. |
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| Program cost |
$1092 Double Occupancy - $1392 Single Occupancy |
| Payment summary: |
50% Deposit - To reserve your registration (click here) BALANCE due November 01, 2010 (please note on your calendar) |
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Cancellation Policy: Due to the hotel and Film Festival Gala deadlines, the cancellation refund dates are as follows: |
| Will be refunded: |
6/1/10 – 11/01/10 80% of the total paid will be refunded
11/02/10 – 11/24/10 50% of the total paid will be refunded |
| No Refund |
11/25/10 Deadline – No refunds available |
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If you are interested in purchasing Travel Insurance, you can contact Travel Guard by calling 800-826-1300 or you can visit their Website at www.TravelGuard.com. |
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If you have any questions about any other aspect of this program please contact CELS at (760) 776-8874.
Again, we welcome you to the desert. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. When calling please leave a detailed message if we are not in the office so we have the needed information when we return your call. Speak & spell your name & phone number SLOWLY and CLEARLY. Remember to include program number, name of hotel, date in question, and your phone number.
We are looking forward to seeing you soon!!! |
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