Yesterday (January 6) saw Palm Springs as the setting of a lavish gala, marking the city’s own festival.

It’s something of a dress rehearsal for award season, and the Hollywood big-names in attendance took it as such. Attendees included actor-turned-director Ben Affleck, Naomi Watts, Helen Hunt, Bradley Cooper and many more. While some stars dazzled with their outfits, others rehearsed their award speeches for the biggies – the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. One such heavy-weight was Helen Mirren, who gave thanks in more than half a dozen different languages.

Another highlight of the night was Sally Field’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which she was presented with by Martin Sheen onstage at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The Hollywood veteran is being pegged for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln earlier this season. On the red carpet, Field shared with reporters some of the stories from her childhood in Palm Springs. “Palm Springs will always make me smile,” she said. And while for Field the night might have been a walk down memory lane, for most others it offers a glimpse into the future – namely who and what will be the likeliest contenders for award success later this season.