Welcome to I ON THE SCENE

Twenty Second Annual
PALM SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL

By Irene Michaels
January 13, 2011

Irene Michaels & Amy Adams

The Palm Springs Film Festival is one of largest film festivals in North America. For two full weeks Palm Springs will be in the cinematic spotlight. The glamour and aura of this event attracts a great deal of press around the world.

This year the festival welcomed Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Robert Duvall, Carey Mulligan, Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Diane Warren, Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, David O Russell, Justin Timberlake, and Jesse Eisenberg.

The Rising Star award went to Jennifer Lawrence. Breakthrough award went to Carey Mulligan, and the Desert Palm Achievement award recipient was Natalie Portman.

Beautiful Mary Hart did a fantastic job as Host and Master of Ceremonies. Mary is one of televisions longest-running anchor on an entertainment news program. Her grand style and pizzaz helped make the evening fun and exciting. The audience loves the way she takes them backstage to see what the stars are doing while they wait their turn to present or receive.

The opening film of the festival was "Potiche" a French comedy starring the beautiful Catherine Deneuve. It was great fun watching Catherine in the role of a trophy wife. A must see!

Michael Douglas was on hand to receive the Palm Springs International Film Festival Icon Award. There isn't a more beloved and iconic actor. He has had one astonishing performance after another. His latest film "Wall Street" for the second time is a huge success.

During the evening a tribute was paid to Ronni Chasen given by long-time client Diane Warren. Ronni was very instrumental in making the film festival what it is today convincing Hollywood celebrities and media to attend.

Being from Chicago, it was great to see so many Chicagoans at this event. Brenda Sexton and her fiancé Greg Nye, Chaz Ebert, Linda Johnson Rice, Desiree Rogers, Mamie Walton, Arny Granat, Bill Zwecker, working the red carpet and film producer Albert Berger.

Until next time

please enjoy the photos
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Mary Hart-Host & Master of Ceremonies		Natalie Portman
Arny Granat - Linda Johnson Rice - Desiree Rogers
Robert Duvall		Helen Mirren
Mary Bono - The late Sonny Bono's ex-wife		J.J. Dedum-Arny Granat-Mark Wahlberg
Ben Affleck		Colin Firth
Oliver Stone
Mark Wahlberg & Amy Adams
David O. Russell - Director of the year award
Javier Bardem		Natalie Portman
Michael Douglas & NBC's Matt Lauer
Brenda Sexton & Financé Greg Nye		Mammie Walton
Terri Ryan & husband Patrick		Carey Mulligan-Desert Palm Achievment Award