Palm Springs International Film Awards returns with some memorable moments

The Palm Springs International Film Festival returned this week for the first time since January 2020, and it all kicked off Thursday evening with the Film Awards.

Dozens of celebrities and other film industry professionals descended upon the desert for the black tie affair, which was held at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Nine honorees and one cast received awards Thursday, and several more were awarded Friday at Variety's 10 Directors to Watch for 2023 Brunch and Creative Impact Awards.

Where the event was lacking in dramatic Oscars-level confrontations, the award show made up for in gorgeous gowns, touching speeches and goofy interactions.

It was a night full of inspiring, humorous and surprising moments.

Most heartwarming: Austin Butler revealing why 'Elvis' changed his approach on life

"Elvis" star Austin Butler has taken the world by storm ever since the Baz Luhrmann-directed film about rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley premiered at the Cannes International Film Festival.

With his hips moving in that signature Elvis swagger across every stage, Butler appears confident and on top of the world in the film. But he revealed on Thursday's red carpet that it took some time to get to that point. Being in "Elvis" entirely changed his relationship to fear, helping him become the rising star that he is today.

"I've never felt more fear than when I was making the film," Butler said. "I knew if it didn't go well, it would be devastating, so now I have a lot more faith that if you do the work, something will happen."

Most inspiring: 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' star Stephanie Hsu discussing the film's impactful message about underdogs

"Everything Everywhere All At Once," starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Hsu and Jamie Lee Curtis, made more than $100 million worldwide and has been garnering several nominations this award season. In the film, an interdimensional rupture threatens to unravel reality, and the fate of the world is suddenly in the hands of a most unlikely hero: Evelyn (Yeoh), an overwhelmed immigrant mother. As bewildering dangers emerge from the multiverse, she must channel her newfound powers to save her home and her family.

Life has been "a complete rollercoaster" since the film released in March, Hsu said, but it's been an emotional ride to see how much it has impacted audiences everywhere.

"We are the underdog in so many ways, and we represent small films, independent films and weird ideas and Asian stories, so I feel such an immense amount of pride," Hsu said. "It's completely surreal that this thing we held in our palms is now so big and beyond us and is reaching so many people across generations, across race, identity. It's crazy. It's what you want art to do."

Hsu, who herself has received a Best Supporting Actress nomination from the Critics Choice Association and Best Breakthrough Performance from the Independent Spirit Awards, also said working with Yeoh was like "walking into a masterclass every single day," and the lessons have continued.

She is a true legend. ... I feel even now this part of the journey, celebrating the film, going to awards, I feel like I'm also learning from her," Hsu said. "I'm having a masterclass in what it means to carry yourself through a career with grace. I'm so lucky."

Most humorous: Jamie Lee Curtis revealing her one condition for presenting an award to Cate Blanchett

"Everything Everywhere All At Once" actress Jamie Lee Curtis said she had one condition for presenting the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress, to her friend Cate Blanchett for "Tar": Curtis had to drive the pair to the Film Awards, which she said was "an achievement competition of its own."

"I had to remind her that I am born and raised in the f--king City of Angels," Curtis said. "I've been to Palm Springs and back and went to Hadley's for a date shake a billion times."

Once she arrived on stage, Blanchett said in response, "I'm the better driver." She even revealed the funny reason as to why they were almost late for the show.

"We almost didn't make it here tonight because Jamie insisted on repacking my bag. She was appalled, I don't even know what was wrong with my packing, Jamie," Blanchett said. "We had this really lengthy conversation about whether I should get into my pajamas since we're driving back tonight ... meanwhile she's telling me what I should wear and she comes out in her bra and knickers. And that is why we nearly missed tonight's event."

The two women will star in the upcoming "Borderlands" film, based on the popular video game, set on the abandoned fictional planet of Pandora where people search for a mysterious relic.

Curtis also dropped much insight into her costar while introducing her at the Film Awards, including that the two-time Academy Award winner is "girly and silly," "maybe secretly looks at Instagram through a character's alias and is obsessed with sunglasses and vintage shopping and is quick to kick off her heels." Blanchett was also described as a dedicated mother, "really funny" with a "monkey-like presence" and someone who is open in her love of her job and colleagues.

Perhaps one of the funniest comments Curtis made was that she may be the only person on the planet to have received a facial from Blanchett.

Most iconic: Steven Spielberg referencing his own Wikipedia page (poetically)

Steven Spielberg, director of “The Fabelmans,” gave a heartwarming speech when accepting the Vanguard Award alongside his cast.

“When people see themselves in these characters, that’s the greatest reward for me,” he said, adding that the personal nature of the film makes this win that much more special. "The Fabelmans" tells a semiautobiographical coming-of-age story of a young man, Sammy (Gabriel LaBelle), who discovers his love for filmmaking. The film explores love, the pursuit of dreams, sacrifices people make and moments of discovery that allow us to see the truth about ourselves, and our parents, with clarity and compassion.

He went on to thank the two biggest supporters of his career.

“I’m not aware of many other filmmakers with a Wikipedia page as densely populated with sharks and dinosaurs and robots and aliens … so it has been a wild ride,” he said. “Thanks for setting me on that ride every day with reverence and awe … my very unique mother and father.”

Most surprising: Garry Kief saying longtime host Mary Hart was 'sidelined' this year

One pivotal member of the Palm Springs International Film Festival team was notably absent at this year's awards show: Chairman Harold Matzner. Matzner chose to stay home Thursday evening, but many honorees and presenters alike gave him shoutouts throughout the event.

PSIFF Board of Directors member Garry Kief appeared in his place, and his speech turned some heads for its mention of prior host Mary Hart, who was criticized by some locals after she appeared at President Donald Trump's 2020 Independence Day event at Mount Rushmore.

Kief thanked Hart, who hosted the event for 19 years, and said she was “sidelined" for this year's show, referencing how she was replaced by "Entertainment Tonight" anchors Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner (but not noting why).

In a December press release, Matzner said the change in hosts was "due to her schedule," adding that she was not "able to be with us this year and she will be missed."

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 2023 Palm Springs International Film Fest: 5 most memorable moments