Stars, filmmakers and fans from around the world are descending on the sunny California desert for the 20th edition of the Palm Springs International Film Festivals.

Events kick off with Tuesday’s Black Tie Awards Gala, which will honor everyone from child actress Dakota Fanning to industry veteran Clint Eastwood. Even the presenters are major players in the industry: Eastwood (pictured) will be presented by Donald Sutherland; Ron Howard by Frank Langella; Dustin Hoffman by Ben Stiller; Sean Penn by Sir Anthony Hopkins; Anne Hathaway by Rosemarie Dewitt; Gus Van Sant by Rep. Mary Bono Mack and Josh Brolin; Amy Adams by John Patrick Shanley; Fanning by Paul Bettany; Freida Pinto by James Cromwell; and Alexandre Desplat by Taraji P. Henson.

Film screenings begin on Wednesday and continue at various locations through Jan. 19.

Thursday is the Opening Night Gala and a screening of “Last Chance Harvey,” starring Hoffman and Emma Thompson.

The festival will mark its anniversary on Friday with the U.S. premiere of “$5 a Day,” starring Christopher Walken, Allesandro Nivolo, Amanda Peet and Sharon Stone.

For detailed information on events and screening schedules, click here.

– posted at 12:20 p.m. by Cathy Maestri

Filed under Entertainment

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

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