Pitt, Clooney headline starry Palm Springs gala

A hefty quotient of star energy switched out Saturday for that Palm Springs Film Festival honours gala on the balmy desert evening, almost all repping challengers within the season's kudos race. Kaira Pitt used a stick to navigate the Palm Springs Convention Center red-colored carpet, but is at fine form because he recognized the actor award. Pitt thanked Bill Pohlad for backing ''The Tree of Life'' and Amy Pascal for getting belief in ''Moneyball,'' ''no matter the number of occasions she needed to shut it lower.'' Accepting the Vanguard award for that ''Young Adult'' ensemble of Charlize Theron, Diablo Cody, Jason Reitman and themself, comedian Patton Oswalt announced, ''The Vanguard those who win would be the drunkest of.'' The heavy glass trophies created by Dale Chihuly provided a simple target for humor. ''I may smoke this later,'' stated Gary Oldman. ''It is indeed a bong,'' stated George Clooney, who had been granted the fest's top recognition, the Chairman Award for ''The Descendants'' and ''The Ides of March.'' ''Most individuals don't reach love their jobs,'' he stated inside a warm-hearted speech.'' Exactly what the producers have no idea, Clooney stated, is the fact that ''actually we'd get it done free of charge.'' ''The Artist'' star Berenice Bejo convinced co-presenter Jean Dujardin to talk, saying ''Everybody really wants to hear your voice.'' Helmer Michel Hazanavicius, who won the Visionary award, thanked French producer Thomas Langmann, telling him, ''I stated not to invest your personal money, but he did, so thanks.'' The scope of worldwide star champion Oldman's clip montage impressed everyone else, as presenter Adrien Brody announced, ''Holy shit, this is a reel!'' Actress champion Michelle Williams stated she wanted Lana Turner in her own lifetime might have had the encounters she'd in the gala. The career achievement award visited Glenn Close, who channeled memorable figures Cruella p Ville and ''Fatal Attraction's'' Alex Forrest. Fellow ''Big Chill'' cast member Shaun Goldblum presented the award, and Close introduced her career full circle by explaining ''My journey being an actress type of started with Albert Nobbs.'' Youthful ''Extremely Noisy and extremely Close'' thesp Thomas Horn ably introduced director award champion Steven Daldry with the aid of co-star Tom Hanks. The helmer reminded that you need to tell the tales of 9/11 since they are not trained in almost any national curriculum. Contact Pat Saperstein at pat.saperstein@variety.com