By Valerie Milano
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 1/12/26 – There are moments in festival life that feel like pure magic, the kind that remind us why we show up, why we watch, why we listen. One of those moments arrived with the announcement that Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story has been selected for Best of Fest at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
This honor places the documentary squarely among the most celebrated films of the festival, and it could not be more deserved.
Directed with intimacy and intention, Elvis, Rocky & Me is far more than a music documentary. It is a deeply personal portrait of Carol Connors, a woman whose voice, songwriting, and fearless spirit helped shape American pop culture, even when history didn’t always give her the credit she earned. From her early days as the voice of The Teddy Bears to penning Oscar-nominated songs and navigating an industry that rarely made space for women to tell their own stories, Connors’ journey unfolds with honesty, humor, grit, and heart.
What makes this film resonate so powerfully is its refusal to polish away the truth. Connors tells her story on her own terms, unapologetically, emotionally, and with a wisdom earned through decades of lived experience. The film honors not just her achievements, but the cost of creating art in a world that often sidelines women once their voices challenge the status quo.
The Best of Fest recognition feels especially meaningful because it reflects how strongly audiences and programmers alike have connected with Connors’ story. At Palm Springs, where music, film, and legacy intersect, Elvis, Rocky & Me emerged as one of those rare works that lingers long after the credits roll.
The celebratory screening, scheduled at 1:45 PM in Theater MP10, is more than a victory lap. It is a moment of recognition long overdue. A reclaiming of narrative. A reminder that the stories behind the songs matter just as much as the hits themselves.
On a personal note, meeting Carol Connors during this journey has been a true highlight. Her warmth, humor, and unmistakable sparkle are as real off-screen as they are on. When she wrote to share the news, her joy leapt off the page, “over the moon and back from the moon”, and that joy is exactly what this moment represents.
Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story doesn’t just celebrate a legendary career. It celebrates resilience, truth-telling, and the power of finally being heard.
And at Palm Springs, it rightfully takes its place among the very best.
Read our review and see our exclusive interview with Carol Connors:
Elvis, Rocky and Me: Reclaiming the Legacy of Carol Connors – Hollywood Times
