Oscar hopefuls honored at Palm Springs Film Festival

Bradley Cooper, Naomi Watts, Helen Hunt and other Oscar hopefuls were presented with awards at the 24th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival's awards gala on Saturday.

While the voting period for nominations has already closed for the Oscars, many members of the Academy, who still must vote on the prizes,  were exposed to several Oscar hopefuls at the awards gala.

Best actor hopeful Cooper was presented with the Desert Palm Achievement Actor Award by his "Silver Linings Playbook" director David O. Russell, who also is  a candidate  for nomination in the best director and best adapted screenplay categories.

Watts was presented with  the Desert Palm Achievement Actress Award by her "The Impossible" costar Tom Holland, who himself is a best actor hopeful. The 16-year-old Holland's introduction brought Watts to tears; he  said,  "From the moment I met you, you took my hand and you never let go," reports Hitfix.

Hunt was presented with the Spotlight Award by her "The Sessions" costar John Hawkes and Helen Mirren was presented with the International Star Award by director Tom Hooper, who was also honored at the event.

Others who were honored were Richard Gere, Robert Zemeckis, Sally Field and the cast of "Argo," who was represented by Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin and Bryan Cranston.

The film festival runs until Jan. 14. Oscar nominations are set to be announced Jan. 10.