Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie Ascend at Palm Springs Film Festival [SLIDESHOW]

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ascended at the red carpet of the 23<sup>rd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala, in Palm Springs, California. Al Pacino, George Clooney and a host of other stars were also seen at the Festival.

The "Monster" actress Charlize Theron would be presented with the Indie Impact Award for her immense contribution to cinema on January 8.

The 12-day festival was inaugurated on January 7 by Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet.

The event will also honour directors who have excelled in film-making and have equally contributed to producing, acting, cinematography and comedy in the category "10 directors to watch". This year's awardees include: Zal Batmanglij, Valerie Donzelli, Gareth Evans, Philippe Falardeau, Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh, Gerardo Naranjo, Matt Piedmont, Michael Roskam, Lynn Shelton and Benh Zeitlin.

The Palm Spring festival is one of biggest film events in North America, drawing about 130,000 people each year, including celebrated directors, producers, actors and actresses. The festival screens about 180 films from 70-odd countries.

Brad Pitt walked in on the inaugural day with his partner Angelina Jolie, with the help of a stick; Pitt suffered a leg injury while skiing. The couple looked lovely with Pitt settling for a black suit and Jolie wearing a pale pink Elie Saab gown.

Actors Pitt, Clooney, Glenn Close, Michelle Williams, Gary Oldman, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain will also be honoured at the festival with composer Howard Shore, director Stephen Daldry and French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius.