The Palm Springs International Film Festival as beefed up the presence of two year-end movies at its opening gala.
One of them, "Up in the Air," is already among 2009's most acclaimed films. The other, "Crazy Heart," opens next week.
Jason Reitman will be honored as director of the year for "Up in the Air," his third feature film. Reitman walked the red carpet in Palm Springs two years ago when his "Juno" received an award that he shared with his cast and writer, Diablo Cody. Reitman's first film was "Thank You for Smoking."
"Up in the Air's" Anna Kendrick was the first star to be announced for the film festival gala.
T-Bone Burnett will receive the Frederick Loewe Award for composing "Crazy Heart." The film is about a country singer played by Jeff Bridges, who will also be honored by the festival.
Burnett's other film credits include "Cold Mountain" and "Walk the Line."
A third honoree was announced today: Jeremy Renner, the star of "Hurt Locker," a gritty drama about a bomb disposal unit in Baghdad.
The gala takes place Jan. 5, kicking off the film festival, which runs through Jan. 18.
Information: www.psfilmfest.org
Fielding Buck, fbuck@PE.com
