The Palm Springs International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious and well-attended film festivals in the country. Considered by many to be a prelude to the Oscars, celebrities flock to the desert for this event.
The year that I was there, Brad Pitt presented the Breakthrough Performance Award to David Oyelowo for his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma. And in case you didn’t know how to pronounce the name, Brad Pitt had the audience join him in singing Oyelowo and described him as a prominent actor who would soon become a household name. Robert Downey Jr. walked on stage looking very much like the billionaire playboy Tony Stark, that he portrays on screen. Joking that his “chopper’s idling on the roof” Robert Downey Jr. presented the Icon Award to Robert Duvall who thanked his parents for their encouragement in his pursuit and study of acting. I always love awards events that honor those who are excellent in their craft. See below for full list of awards recipients.
The Imitation Game – Ensemble Performance Award
David Oyelowo, Selma – Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor
Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl – Breakthrough Performance Award
Reese Witherspoon, Wild – Chairman’s Award
Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything – Desert Palm Achievement Award – Actor
Julianne Moore, Still Alice – Desert Palm Achievement Award
Alejandro G. Inarritu, Birdman – Director of the Year Award
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash – Spotlight Award
Richard Linklater, Boyhood – Sonny Bono Visionary Award
Robert Duvall, The Judge – Icon Award
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