It's the 2024 awards season and that means there are almost daily parties leading up to the Oscars, which take place on March 10.
On Friday it was Variety's turn as the publication hosted the Creative Impact Awards & 10 Directors to Watch Brunch.
The swanky event took place at the Tony Parker Hotel in the desert city of Palm Springs, California, which is a two-hour drive from Los Angeles.
Since the event takes place during the Palm Springs Film Festival, the celebrity presence was impressive.
One of the standouts was Penelope Cruz, who plays Enzo Ferrari's disturbed wife Laura Ferrari in director Michael Mann's biopic about the car mogul.
Also at the event were Emma Stone, Anna Kendrick, Lily Gladstone, Ji-young Yoo and Mark Ruffalo.
Penelope Cruz and Emma Stone shined at the Variety Creative Impact Awards & 10 Directors to Watch Brunch at the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs, California on Friday
Cruz looked cheerful at the garden event as she embraced a spring color: pink.
The Oscar winner wore a jacket and irregular miniskirt by French designer Chanel, a brand she represents.
The fabric was a pink, black and white check pattern with a palm tree pattern border on the front of the jacket. The hem of the skirt and the cuffs of the jacket had a V-chevron pattern that added dimension.
Underneath the elegant suit, the Spanish actress wore a tight black top that matched her '90s Mary Jane platforms, with a peep-toe that showed off her blood-red pedicure.
The Vogue cover girl carried a black Chanel handbag over her shoulder.
Her long, highlighted hair was worn to the side and down in soft, romantic waves while she was made up with soft pink colors and added a dewy lip.
Hoop earrings, a watch and silver rings completed her lunch ladies look.
Cruz's Laura Ferrari character in the biofilm disintegrates after the death of her only child and becomes a recluse accused of being “crazy.”
This week it was revealed that she “cried” on the set of her new film Ferrari, which also stars Adam Driver and Shailene Woodley.
The beauty said it was because of the “sad energy” she felt over her character Laura's bedroom.
The 49-year-old actress found the visit to the apartment where her Ferrari character lived incredibly painful.
But Cruz noted that the sadness helped her better understand Laura for the biopic because it shared with her how the woman felt after the end of her marriage to Enzo Ferrari and the death of her son Dino.
Cruz looked cheerful at the garden event as she embraced a spring color: pink. The Oscar winner wore a jacket and irregular miniskirt by French designer Chanel, a brand she represents
Her long, highlighted hair was worn to the side and down in soft, romantic waves while she was made up with soft pink colors and added a dewy lip. Hoop earrings, a watch and silver rings completed her lunch ladies look. Cruz's Laura Ferrari character in the biofilm disintegrates after the death of her only child and becomes a recluse accused of having gone “crazy.”
The Spanish actress wore a tight black top under the chic suit. The Vogue cover girl carried a black Chanel handbag over her shoulder
Cruz and Adam Driver in Michael Mann's bio picture Ferrari. Cruz's Laura Ferrari character in the biofilm disintegrates after the death of her only child and becomes a recluse accused of having gone “crazy.”
She told Empire magazine: “There were a lot of colors that were supposed to be happy, but to me they had a very sad energy.”
“I started crying because I understood what it would be like for this woman to hide in that room for so long, missing her son and missing everything she had in that relationship with Enzo.”
“Something happened in that room, and I think it happened to Michael too.” [Mann, director].'
In the end, the filmmaker reproduced the exact wallpaper he found in the bedroom.
Penelope said: “It had meaning for us.”
“We could see it there and remember the impact it had on us when we first saw it.”
The versatile actress was determined to do Laura justice because she was frustrated that she was left in Enzo Ferrari's shadow and her own contributions to her company were sidelined.
Emma Stone opted for jet black as she stood out at brunch.
She wore a tailored black dress that fell to the waist and had a delicate lace hem. Pointy black heels with thin straps around her ankle added drama.
Stone was also seen arm in arm with Yorgos Lanthimos and Mark Ruffalo.
Cruella star Emma Stone opted for jet black as she stood out at brunch
She wore a tailored black dress that fell to the waist and had a delicate lace hem. Stone was also seen arm in arm with Yorgos Lanthimos and Mark Ruffalo.
Stone, Yorgos Lanthimos and Mark Ruffalo
(LR) David Greenbaum, Stone, Lanthimos, Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe at their table when someone obviously brought their own Starbucks
13 Going On 30 actor Ruffalo looked handsome in a black suit with a black crew neck top and shiny black dress shoes
Emma in Poor Things. The synopsis reads: “Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman sets out with a lawyer on a stormy adventure across continents.” Free from the prejudices of her time, she grows steadfast in her goal of standing up for equality and liberation.
Georgios “Yorgos” Lanthimos is a Greek filmmaker.
He has received numerous awards, including a BAFTA Film Award, three Academy Awards nominations, and three Golden Globe Awards nominations.
Lanthimos' early films include My Best Friend, Kinetta and Dogtooth.
His latest film, “Poor Things,” starring Stone and Ruffalo, received rave reviews on December 8th.
The synopsis reads: “Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman sets out with a lawyer on a stormy adventure across continents.” Free from the prejudices of her time, she grows steadfast in her goal of standing up for equality and liberation. “
The project has been described as a “science fantasy black comedy film.”
The cast also includes Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott and Jerrod Carmichael.
Anna Kendrick was daring in a low-cut, short-sleeved black sequined mini dress with large buttons. Black platform heels featured a round toe and an ankle strap. And she held a structured crocodile handbag with a round Lucite handle.
The 38-year-old Trolls actress wore her long red hair falling over her shoulders.
Anna was also spotted posing with Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein.
Her new films this year are Woman Of The Hour. Confidence and trolls join forces.
Anna Kendrick was daring in a low-cut, short-sleeved black sequined mini dress with large buttons. Black platform heels featured a round toe and an ankle strap
(LR) Anna was the only woman on this photocall with Ilker Ãatak, Aaron Schimberg, Titus Kaphar, Cord Jefferson, Kobi Libii and Blitz Bazawule
Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein and Anna. She held a structured crocodile handbag with a round Lucite handle
Lily Gladstone stood out in her colorful outfit.
The brunette actress was a beauty in a red, white and black tribal print tank top and matching skirt. Both had soft fringes at the bottom.
She added long, cream-colored earrings that had a rectangle and a teardrop. Her hair was worn back in loose waves with curtain bangs. Her makeup was matte with coral lips.
The 37-year-old star had a hit last year with the Martin Scorsese film Killers Of The Flower Moon, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio.
She received widespread praise for her role in the gritty drama, which is based on a true story about Native Americans in early America.
Lily Gladstone stood out in her colorful outfit. The brunette actress was a beauty in a red, white and black tribal print tank top and matching skirt. Both had soft fringes at the bottom
She added long, cream-colored earrings that had a rectangle and a teardrop. Her hair was worn back in loose waves with curtain bangs. Her makeup was matte with coral lips. The 37-year-old star had a hit last year with the Martin Scorsese film Killers Of The Flower Moon, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio
The 37-year-old star had a hit last year with the Martin Scorsese film Killers Of The Flower Moon, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio
Lily grew up in Montana and is of Piegan-Blackfeet, Nez Perce and European descent.
She grew up on the Blackfeet Nation reservation.
One of Gladstone's first acting experiences as a child was when the Missoula Children's Theater came to East Glacier to perform Cinderella and she was cast in the role of one of the stepsisters.
Gladstone's family moved to Seattle during her middle school years to be closer to her grandmother. There she was enrolled in the Stone Soup Theater, a nonprofit educational theater group for Seattle's youth.
Ji-young Yoo was also seen at the event. She looked fashionable in a black and white coat and white over-the-knee boots.
Her latest film is Smoking Tigers.
The synopsis reads: “Follows Hayoung, a lonely 16-year-old Korean-American girl who tries to hide her troubled family and lower-income background from her new wealthy friends, only to discover the struggles of adulthood that have changed her life will always shape us.” '
Yoo also appeared in the films Moxie and Sweet Home.
Ji-young Yoo was also seen at the event. She looked fashionable in a black and white coat and white over-the-knee boots. Her latest film is Smoking Tigers
Jenna Cavelle showed off a beautiful ombre hair color with her black blazer. Cavelle is vice president of development and production for NBA All-Star Baron Davis' film production company No Label and production manager for Davis' podcast network SLiC
Cavelle and Kelley Kali