Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro shared advice with aspiring filmmakers at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. He urged them to ignore those who downplay the importance of art, cautioning that such sentiments often precede fascism. Del Toro was honored at the festival’s 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards brunch.
He emphasized the significance of kindness, involvement, and faith in one’s artistic vision. Del Toro criticized the notion that art is insignificant, countering with a question about the desire for art if it truly holds no value. The director also referenced the impact of monsters in explaining complex realities, citing the film ‘Frankenstein’ as a pivotal example.
During his speech, Del Toro described the profound experience of watching the 1931 film ‘Frankenstein’ by James Whale for the first time. Sara Karloff, daughter of the original ‘Frankenstein’ star Boris Karloff, accompanied him at the event. Del Toro highlighted the role of monsters in navigating challenging times, noting that ambition encompasses both success and failure.
‘Frankenstein’ was made available on Netflix on October 17, 2025.
