KESQ.com News Services
PALM SPRINGS - Coachella Valley middle school students are urged to write an essay on why they should be among the eight students who will be on the red carpet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January.
Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet has taken Palm Springs students to the festival for the past two years, but this year he decided to extend the opportunity to students across the Coachella Valley.
"Our film festival is the premier event of the season and I think it's important that students from all of the Coachella Valley cities get a chance to attend," Pougnet said. "They'll get to meet movie stars and mingle like adults in an amazing setting."
The mayor will take the students to attend the Jan. 5 gala, which will be hosted by Mary Hart of "Entertainment Tonight."
"I'm thrilled I can give them this once in a lifetime opportunity and perhaps even inspire a future actor or filmmaker," Pougnet said.
A ceremony to announce the winners of the contest will be held sometime before Christmas at Palm Springs City Hall.
To enter:
- Students must be enrolled in 6th, 7th or 8th grades in Palm Springs, Desert Sands or the Coachella Valley Unified School Districts or a private school inside those boundaries.
- Students must illustrate in their essay an interest in working in the film and entertainment industry and why they would be a good candidate to attend the award's gala.
- The essay must be 500 words or less, typed and double-spaced.
Students can email their essays to mayorpougnet.essaycontest@palmspringsca.gov or drop them off at the reception desk lobby in City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.
The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Dec. 10.
