Festival Theatres and KGAY Bring Acclaimed LGBTQ+ Epic La Bola Negra to Palm Springs for Special October 29 Screening
The Hollywood Times Exclusive: Senior Editor Valerie Milano speaks with Festival Theatres General Manager and Programmer Zack Solomon about queer cinema, community partnerships, and Palm Springs’ growing influence as a destination for LGBTQ+ storytelling.
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10/22/26 – As Palm Springs prepares to celebrate its vibrant LGBTQ+ community during Pride season, Festival Theatres is joining forces with local radio station KGAY to present a special advance screening of La Bola Negra on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The critically acclaimed Spanish film, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, arrives with international recognition, considerable awards buzz, and a powerful story exploring love, identity, repression, and the enduring connections between three generations of gay men.
In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Times, Senior Editor Valerie Milano spoke with Zack Solomon, General Manager and Programmer of Festival Theatres, about the highly anticipated screening, the remarkable evolution of mainstream queer cinema, and his ambitious vision for making Palm Springs a year-round destination for meaningful LGBTQ+ storytelling.
For Solomon, who grew up in Palm Springs and previously worked with the Palm Springs International Film Festival, programming films that reflect the community isn’t simply a business decision. It’s personal.
“Palm Springs is a hub for queer culture and gay men throughout the world,” Solomon explained, emphasizing his lifelong connection to the desert community and his enthusiasm for bringing internationally celebrated films to local audiences.
Directed by the acclaimed Spanish filmmaking duo affectionately known as Los Javis, La Bola Negra connects three generations of men whose lives are shaped by desire, secrecy, love, and the painful legacy of societal repression.
Spanning nearly a century of Spanish history, the film explores the emotional consequences of hidden identities and family secrets, weaving together past and present in an extraordinary cinematic experience.
Featuring acclaimed Spanish singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente (Álvaro Lafuente Calvo) in his major acting debut as Sebastián, La Bola Negra boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Penélope Cruz, and Glenn Close. The film draws inspiration from the unfinished work of legendary Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca.
Following its celebrated Cannes debut, the film continued attracting international attention, earning major audience recognition at the Toronto and San Sebastián film festivals.
Solomon believes its universal themes will resonate deeply with Palm Springs audiences.
“I really think the film just works as like an epic love story,” he said, praising the way it connects contemporary life with history in a sweeping yet emotionally grounded manner.
He also expressed appreciation for Netflix’s commitment to giving the film a meaningful theatrical release.
For Solomon, La Bola Negra represents something larger than one successful international production. It demonstrates how foreign-language films and LGBTQ+ stories are increasingly receiving mainstream recognition, including serious awards consideration.
With Best Picture discussions already surrounding the film, Solomon sees its reception as another indication of how dramatically the entertainment industry has changed.
One of the most compelling moments during Milano’s conversation with Solomon was his reflection on the remarkable transformation of LGBTQ+ cinema over the past two decades.
“This has really been a banner year for commercial cinema, for queer commercial cinema,” Solomon said.
He recalled a time when queer-centered films were typically relegated to specialized festivals or limited arthouse releases. Today, major studios and distributors are increasingly championing these stories and recognizing their broad audience appeal.
“They were niche, and now they’re not niche, they’re part of popular culture,” Solomon observed.
He noted that in previous years audiences might have seen only one or two major queer-themed commercial releases, while 2026 has brought approximately five to seven significant films into the marketplace.
Festival Theatres has enthusiastically embraced that momentum.
The venue hosted sold-out screenings of Pillion, welcomed comedian and filmmaker John Early for Maddie’s Secret, and celebrated the success of Stop That Train, which featured a special cast Q&A.
The momentum continues November 5 with Club Kid, another anticipated screening presented in collaboration with KGAY.
Solomon also highlighted upcoming titles including Elsinore and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma as further examples of the variety and creative energy emerging from contemporary queer filmmaking.
Palm Springs already enjoys international recognition through its prestigious film festivals, but Solomon sees an opportunity to expand that cultural identity throughout the entire year.
Rather than limiting special cinematic experiences to festival season, he wants Festival Theatres to become a gathering place where residents and visitors can engage directly with filmmakers, actors, and distinctive independent productions.
When Milano asked whether creating a destination for LGBTQ+ storytelling was part of a larger programming vision, Solomon explained that it was a goal he established for himself when joining the theater.
He pointed to the extraordinary concentration of entertainment professionals who maintain homes in Palm Springs or regularly visit the Coachella Valley.
Among recent highlights was an appearance by filmmaker Douglas Keeve, known for the influential fashion documentary Unzipped, who participated in a special Q&A.
Solomon also discussed plans to welcome acclaimed director Gus Van Sant for an upcoming audience conversation.
For Festival Theatres, these encounters create opportunities that extend beyond watching a movie. They allow audiences to connect directly with creative voices whose work has influenced contemporary cinema and LGBTQ+ cultural history.
His goal is to establish Festival Theatres as a place where important films receive the attention they deserve and where Palm Springs audiences can participate in the conversations surrounding them.
The October 29 presentation of La Bola Negra also highlights the importance of local media partnerships, particularly Festival Theatres’ relationship with KGAY.
When Milano asked about KGAY’s role in bringing international and independent cinema to the desert, Solomon enthusiastically credited the station’s exceptional connection with the LGBTQ+ community.
Building a relationship with KGAY was among his earliest priorities upon arriving at Festival Theatres.
He explained that the station possesses something increasingly rare in contemporary media: a deeply engaged audience that trusts and actively supports its programming.
Solomon even hears from people who continue listening to KGAY when traveling outside Palm Springs, a testament to the station’s influence beyond the Coachella Valley.
He characterized the partnership as an invaluable resource in creating awareness, generating enthusiasm, and introducing audiences to films they might otherwise overlook.
For the La Bola Negra screening, KGAY and Festival Theatres are working together to fill the auditorium and create a memorable community experience.
Solomon also thanked Netflix for supporting the special preview, explaining that the distributor arranged for the theater to be available for the event.
The collaboration is particularly meaningful because it demonstrates how a community-focused radio station, a local movie theater, and a major entertainment distributor can work together to bring internationally acclaimed LGBTQ+ cinema directly to Palm Springs audiences.
As Palm Springs continues to strengthen its reputation as a center for LGBTQ+ arts and culture, Solomon’s programming approach reflects a larger movement toward visibility, inclusion, and meaningful representation.
Films like La Bola Negra do more than entertain. They preserve stories that previous generations were often forced to conceal, challenge audiences to confront history, and celebrate the resilience of individuals who struggled to live authentically.
For Milano and The Hollywood Times, which continues to champion independent filmmakers, diversity in entertainment, and LGBTQ+ storytelling, the conversation underscored the importance of community institutions that make these stories accessible.
With strong studio relationships, imaginative programming, and enthusiastic partnerships with organizations such as KGAY, Festival Theatres is creating more opportunities for audiences to experience films that entertain, educate, and inspire.
And for Solomon, the mission remains straightforward: reflect the interests of the community, celebrate exceptional filmmaking, and give these stories the theatrical home they deserve.
The Hollywood Times Senior Editor Valerie Milano sits down with Zack Solomon, General Manager and Programmer of Festival Theatres, to discuss La Bola Negra, the evolution of queer cinema, KGAY’s community partnership, and the exciting future of LGBTQ+ filmmaking in Palm Springs.
How to Attend the October 29 Screening
Film: La Bola Negra
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Venue: Festival Theatres, Palm Springs
Community Partner: KGAY
Film Distributor: Netflix
Interested moviegoers can request admission to the special advance screening by emailing movies@festivaltheatres.com or visiting Festival Theatres in person.
Solomon confirmed during the interview that seats were still available and encouraged interested audience members to reach out.
The film begins its regular Palm Springs theatrical engagement October 30, with additional screenings scheduled afterward.
For more information, visit festivaltheaters.com.
The Hollywood Times: Celebrating film, culture, community, and the stories that connect us.
By Valerie Milano | The Hollywood Times
