Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio was notably absent from the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala, with organisers confirming his inability to travel due to sudden airspace restrictions connected to the evolving geopolitical situation in Venezuela. The actor was set to receive a major honour for his latest cinematic work.
Travel Chaos Grounds DiCaprio's Plans
According to a report by Variety, the Oscar-winning actor was scheduled to be presented with the prestigious Desert Palm Achievement Award for his performance in the film 'One Battle After Another'. However, DiCaprio found himself stranded in St. Barts, where he was on a vacation with family and friends. Disruptions in air travel, stemming from recent international developments, prevented his departure.
In an official statement, a festival spokesperson expressed regret over the situation. "Leonardo DiCaprio is unable to join us in person tonight due to unexpected travel disruptions and restricted airspace. While we will miss celebrating with him in person, we are honoured to recognise his exceptional work and lasting contributions to cinema," the statement read. The spokesperson added that his talent continues to inspire and that the festival was delighted to celebrate him with the award regardless.
FAA Ground Stop Impacts Southern California Airports
The specific nature of the travel disruption was clarified by authorities. The Palm Springs International Airport issued a statement on social media platform X, announcing a ground stop for departing flights. The statement attributed the issue to an FAA air traffic control matter impacting Southern California airspace.
It further explained that while aircraft could still arrive, some inbound flights had been diverted and significant delays were expected. The airport emphasised that this was not an issue specific to Palm Springs but was affecting multiple airports across the region, advising travellers to check directly with their airlines for updates.
Geopolitical Trigger and Awards Season Momentum
The airspace restrictions are linked to recent dramatic events in Venezuela. On Saturday, former United States President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been taken into U.S. custody, an operation he claimed was conducted with U.S. law enforcement.
Despite this setback, Leonardo DiCaprio remains a powerful force in the current awards season. His film, 'One Battle After Another', directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, has cemented its status as an early frontrunner. The film clinched the Best Picture award from the National Society of Film Critics on Saturday. Furthermore, DiCaprio's performance has earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the upcoming Critics' Choice Awards.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala proceeded as planned, honouring a slate of other distinguished industry figures. This year's honourees included a star-studded list featuring Timothee Chalamet, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Michael B. Jordan, Ethan Hawke, Adam Sandler, Chloe Zhao, Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, Guillermo del Toro, and Oscar Isaac, among others.
