Palm Springs Film Festival kicks off awards season

(CBS/AP) The Palm Springs International Film Festival's awards gala kicked off the two-month-long movie award season Saturday night, with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and other red-carpet veterans joining some Hollywood newcomers in the desert of Southern California.

Pictures: 2012 Palm Springs Film Festival

"When you're of age: drink," Clooney noted to the newbies at Saturday night's gala awards ceremony. "That's good advice to pretty much anybody."

Clooney, star of both "Descendants" and the drama "The Ides of March," was given the festival's "Chairman's Award" for acting, directing, producing and writing. "They gave me a gavel on the way in," he joked. "And I'm feeling like I might actually get protested now."

Among other honorees: actresses Michelle Williams ("My Week with Marilyn"), Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer ("The Help") and Glenn Close ("Albert Nobbs").

Pitt, who was sporting a cane due to a ski injury, was handed the Desert Palm Achievement Award for his performances in "Moneyball" and "The Tree of Life." Gary Oldman ("Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy") was dubbed International Star of the Year.

Next stop on the entertainment honors gauntlet include Wednesday's People's Choice, Thursday's Critic's Choice, Friday's Los Angeles Film Critics and Sunday's Golden Globes awards.