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 Tuesday, January 5, 2010Palm Springs Convention Center Palm Springs, California Story and photos by Pat Krause To see more Pat Krause photos of the Palm Springs International Film Festival Gala, click here. The Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) Gala was held again on a Tuesday night, Jan. 5. Celebrities from all areas of the movie industry walked the Red Carpet in front of hundreds of screaming fans, photographers, TV crews and other media. The Gala guests attending in black tie and fantastic gown, walked another Red Carpet upon entering the ballroom at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The awards ceremony is a huge part of this prestigious event. While the celebrities walked the Red Carpet and did interviews, the guests were treated to a reception in the beautifully decorated ballroom. A gourmet dinner was served at 6 p.m. at very tastefully decorated tables with flowers and napkins with beaded napkin holders. Lilies, carnations and other white flowers were in unique glass holders and, of course, wine was on the table.  The incomparable Mary Hart, superstar hostess of TV’s “Entertainment Tonight,” was the emcee again for the seventh time. What a fantastic job she does. She started the evening’s entertainment with some comments about the festival. One of the first highlights of the gala was for the Rising Star Award. Presenter Ivan Reitman spoke of her accomplishments and then announced a short film about Anna Kendrick, the honoree, for her role in “Up in the Air.” Kendrick received her award and told the guests she felt giddy being on stage as it was almost overwhelming being in the company of such great artists.Hart came back on stage to tell about her crew and how they had put together a film for the guests while they ate. Hart did a multitasking job for the Gala. She interviewed celebrities as they arrived, went backstage to talk to the celebrities and presenters and kept the flow of the evening at a steady pace.  After the film, she introduced Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. She joked with Matzner about his trademark white sneakers and black tux and proceeded to show him her dressy shoes Matzner told the audience that they had succeeded in raising more than $1 million again at this Gala and said it would not have been possible without the participation by all the guests. He mentioned we should all take a little extra time to thank all the volunteers who spend hours to make this festival so great. He wondered if Founder Sonny Bono would recognize his dream as it is today, 21 years later. He thanked Jackie Lee Houston for her dedication and tireless energies and Aqua Caliente Band of Mission Indians Tribal chairman Richard M. Milanovich for the continued support of the festival. Then he thanked Cartier as the presenter once again for the Black Tie Gala. Hart showed the fabulous Cartier necklace and matching earrings she was wearing and mentioned her engagement ring from some 25 years ago was from Cartier.Then the awards program started. Guest presenters would come on stage to announce the winner of each award and stand while a film was shown demonstrating why the artist was given that award. It was a real eye-opener to see the number of movies with which these actors, directors and composer have been associated. This year’s list of presenters and award winners are some of the best in the entertainment industry.  Actress Shohreh Aghdashloo of ”Flash Forward” presented Jeremy Renner with the Breakthrough Actor Performance Award for playing a soldier in the movie, “The Hurt Locker.” Director Lee Daniels was the presenter for the Breakthrough Actress Award. Singing sensation, Mariah Carey was given this award for her role in the movie “Precious.” Carey made national headlines with her acceptance speech. Norman Jewison presented Director of the Year Award to Jason Reitman for his many accomplishments in that field, stating he is one of the youngest at age 33 to get this award and to garner such success so early in his career. His movie, “Up in the Air” challenges what we truly value in life. Reitman said most of the movie was conceived right here in Palm Springs. Director Rob Marshall was the presenter for the Desert Palm Achievement Actress Award. Marion Cotillard won that award for her acting ability in the movie “Nine.” Cotillard was here in Palm Springs for another PSIFF gala and said that was the first time she had felt that something was waiting for her in America. The beautiful actress Michelle Pfeiffer presented the Desert Palm Achievement Actor award to Jeff Bridges. She said he always performs 100 percent every time. They had worked together in the film “The Baker Boys” and said he was fantastic in his role in “Country Heart.” Bridges thanked everyone for the award and then thanked his wife of 35 years. Another repeat celebrity for the PSIFF, Diablo Cody, presented Quentin Tarantino with the Sonny Bono Visionary Award. His list of movies includes “Inglorious Basterds” as his latest achievement. He deserved the Visionary award for the type and quality of all this films. Winner of last year's award, Sean Penn, felt honored to present T-Bone Burnett with the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing. A short film showed the many great movies he was involved with. He is the behind the scenes person that can make or break a film with his expertise in composition. Burnett said all he had to do was show up with a guitar when working on the film “Crazy Heart” with Bridges. Another Award winner last year, the great actor Clint Eastwood, became this year’s presenter to another iconic actor, Morgan Freeman. Both are Oscar winners. Freeman received the Career Achievement Actor Award. Eastwood and Freeman have worked together in several Oscar winning films. Eastwood said he had the easiest job introducing someone that needs no introduction. Freeman said he was speechless when he accepted his award. Freeman has played so many roles it would be hard to put him in one category, playing such diverse characters as a chauffeur in “Driving Miss Daisy” and then the president in “Deep Impact.” His latest memorable performance was as Nelson Mandela in the movie “Invictus.” Freeman’s next job was to come back on stage as a presenter for the Career Achievement Actress Award. He gave a long introduction for this very talented lady. Oscar winner Helen Mirren was selected for all her many superb performances in film. “The Queen” and “The Last Station” to name just two. Mirren said she was so overwhelmed to be in the same room with all this film talent. People she has admired for so long and been in awe of their acting abilities.Dancing ended the evening to the toe tapping music of the Pat Rizzo Band. To see more Pat Krause photos of the Palm Springs International Film Festival Gala, click here. For more about the Palm Springs International Film Festival, click here. |
