Los Angeles, October 18 – It wasn’t until eight years ago that someone thought of holding a film festival in Hollywood. Apparently, if you hold it close to home, the stars will come. This year’s fest just closed with a doozy of an awards ceremony. Uber-Catholic Mel Gibson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Annette Bening and Jamie Foxx were all honored for something or other. John Travolta didn’t let recent threats keep him from claiming his lifetime achievement award – he and wife Kelly Preston entered the Beverly Hilton through the back, accompanied by security guards. Young British actress Keira Knightley stunned the crowd with a new, short haircut, but it’s for a movie role.

Just a few of those attending because it was in the nabe, like a Beverly Hills backyard barbecue: Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Kate Bekinsale, Scarlett Johansson, Warren Beatty, Greg Kinnear, Michael C. Reilly, Keanu Reeves and countless industry folks - producers, directors, makeup artists, etc. Genius.

We little people did get to participate in the awards gala - Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 was named movie of the year, chosen by the public voting online.

Photos by Jen Lowery