Kieran Culkin honored by Palm Springs International Film Awards for breakthrough performance in ‘A Real Pain’

Kieran Culkin has been announced by the Palm Springs International Film Awards as the recipient of the Breakthrough Performance Award for his role in the critically acclaimed comedy “A Real Pain.”

Festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a statement, “Kieran Culkin delivers an extraordinary performance in his latest role as Benji in ‘A Real Pain.’ The film follows two cousins who, after the death of their grandmother, embark on a tour of Polish Holocaust history, stirring a mix of emotions as they confront their shared past. Culkin brings remarkable depth to his character — a free spirit whose charm captivates a small tour group, yet who wrestles with the emotions of family loss and a sense of an unfulfilled life. For this complex performance, we present Kieran Culkin with this year’s Breakthrough Performance Award.”

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The film started its awards run at the beginning of 2024 at the Sundance Film Festival, where writer-director Jesse Eisenberg received the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. Since then the film, and particularly Culkin’s performance, has generated Oscar buzz. Based on the combined predictions of thousands of Gold Derby users as of this writing, the film ranks among the top 10 likely nominees for Best Picture, while Culkin is the odds-on favorite to win Best Supporting Actor. Thus far 14 out of the 32 expert journalists we’ve surveyed are betting on him to prevail.

Other Oscar contenders being feted in Palm Springs on Jan. 3, 2025, include Angelina Jolie (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress, for “Maria”), Adrien Brody (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor, for “The Brutalist”), Colman Domingo (Spotlight Award, Actor, for “Sing Sing”), Mikey Madison (Breakthrough Performance Award for “Anora”), Nicole Kidman (International Star Award), the cast of “Conclave” (Ensemble Performance Award), and the cast and director of “Emilia Pérez” (Vanguard Award).

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