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Hollywood’s A-list get Together in the Desert for the 26th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala

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Brad Pitt and David Oyelowo

The long anticipated award season has finally begun, kicked off with the 26th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala hosted by Mary Hart. This highly acclaimed festival in the heart of vacation destination Palm Springs which features more than 180 films from over 70 countries with film screenings, special presentations, tributes, and cutting edge night parties.

Robert Downey Jr. arriving on the stage before presenting the Icon Award to Co-star Robert Duvall

Robert Downey Jr. arriving on the stage before presenting the Icon Award to Co-star Robert Duvall

The event is sponsored by Mercedes- Benz and Entertainment Tonight. Celebrity guests arrived in the all new Mercedes 2015 S550 sedans and GL450 SUVs to the festival red carpet.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala recognizes individuals in the entertainment industry with prestigious awards for acting and directing. Honorees were presented with an original Chihuly Glass Sculpture designed by Dale Chihuly or the John Kennedy “The Entertainer” statue for their incredible roles in entertainment.

Rosamund Pike received the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress for Gone Girl presented by her co-stars Carrie Coon and Kim Dickens.

David Oyelowo received the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor for Selma presented by one of the film’s producer Brad Pitt.

J.K. Simmons received the Spotlight Award for Whiplash presented by Juno director Jason Reitman.

Robert Duvall after receiving the Icon award for his performance in The Judge

Robert Duvall after receiving the Icon award for his performance in The Judge

Robert Duvall received the Icon Award for The Judge presented by his co-star Robert Downey, Jr.

Actress Julianne Moore and Actor Steve Carell at the  award cremony 
Actress Julianne Moore and Actor Steve Carell at the award cremony

Julianne Moore received the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress for Still Alice presented by her co-star in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Steve Carell.

Richard Linklater received the Sonny Bono Visionary Award for Boyhood presented by Shirley MacLaine, who he directed in Bernie.

Eddie Redmayne received the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor for The Theory of Everything presented by his Savage Grace co-star Julianne Moore.

Alejandro González Iñárritu received the Director of the Year Award for Birdman presented by the film’s star Michael Keaton.

The Imitation Game (Benedict Cumberbatch, Allen Leech, Matthew Beard and Alex Lawther in attendance) received the Ensemble Performance Award presented by the film’s director Morten Tyldum.

Reese Witherspoon after receiving the Chairman’s Award for her role in Wild

Reese Witherspoon received the Chairman’s Award for Wild presented by her co-star Laura Dern.

Other notable guests in attendance were Dale and Leslie Chihuly, Ava DuVernay, Carla Gugino, Felicity Jones, Phillip Keene, Udo Kier, Matthew Lillard, Greg Louganis, Bérénice Marlohe, James Marsh, Patrick Stewart, Jerry Weintraub, Rick Yorn and Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, along with festival representatives Harold Matzner (Festival Chairman), Darryl Macdonald (Festival Director) and Helen du Toit (Artistic Director).

J.K Simmons on the red carpet after receiving the Spotlight Award for hi role in Whiplash

J.K Simmons on the red carpet after receiving the Spotlight Award for hi role in Whiplash

Following the ceremony an after party was held at the Parker Palm Springs where celebrities like Matthew Beard, Carrie Coon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Laura Dern, Kim Dickens, Robert Duvall, Alex Lawther, Allen Leech, Richard Linklater, Shirley MacLaine, David Oyelowo, Eddie Redmayne, Jason Reitman, J.K. Simmons, Morten Tyldum, and Reese Witherspoon were in attendance. The Palm Springs International Film Festival takes place January 2-12, 2015.For additional information on the Festival visit www.psfilmfest.org

About the author

David Atmajoana