Paul Mescal is entering awards season with major momentum as Hamnet continues to earn critical praise and industry recognition. The Palm Springs International Film Awards announced that the Focus Features drama will receive the Vanguard Award on January 3, 2026 — an honor celebrating the film’s cast and director for exceptional cinematic achievement.
The event, taking place at the Palm Springs Convention Center, will welcome director Chloé Zhao along with stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, whose emotional performances have become one of the biggest talking points of this year’s awards race.
Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, Hamnet reimagines the life of a young William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they confront love, grief and artistic inspiration. Mescal plays Shakespeare opposite Buckley’s Agnes, anchoring a deeply personal story that explores the tragedy that helped shape Hamlet.
The film has also gained a powerful supporter: Steven Spielberg, who produced Hamnet and spoke passionately about preserving space for intimate dramas in movie theaters. At the film’s Los Angeles premiere, Spielberg said he is “fighting the tides” to ensure that theaters remain home not only to blockbusters, but also to “sensitive and intimate portraits” like Hamnet. He praised Zhao’s direction and called the film “a little miracle.”
Zhao revealed that the cast and crew were often emotional while filming, noting that the team “felt something quite strong” throughout production. Buckley added that she hopes audiences connect with the same depth the filmmakers experienced on set.
Past Vanguard Award winners include Green Book, The Shape of Water, La La Land and Killers of the Flower Moon — placing Hamnet and Paul Mescal firmly among strong awards-season contenders. This year’s festival will also honor Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Adam Sandler and the cast of Sentimental Value.
With rising acclaim, festival honors and Spielberg’s vocal support, Paul Mescal is positioned for one of the most significant career milestones yet as Hamnet expands into more U.S. theaters this December.