Mariah Carey is embraced by the Hollywood elite as she picks up yet another award for her role in Precious

She may only have had a limited amount of acting experience but Mariah Carey managed to steal the limelight at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
The singer was the centre of attention as she made her way into the event, gliding along the red carpet to a rapturous welcome.
Mariah, 34, wore a shimmering, tight black dress that showed off her womanly curves, coupled with a pair of black platform heels.

Acting up: Diva Mariah Carey steals the show at the Palm Springs International Film Festival wearing a glimmering black dress on the red carpet

Elite: The singer speaks to acting legends Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood at the film event which honoured an A-list cast of stars

And it wasn't just her entrance that made the diva the centre of attention.
Carey's acting skills were acknowledged at the event's opening gala night where she picked up the award for Breakthrough Performance for her role in the big screen drama Precious.

 

She collected the award from Lee Daniels, who directed the new movie, which is set for release in the UK this month.

Winner: Mariah poses with her award for Breakthrough Performance at the gala night in Palm Springs

Strike a pose: The star is the centre of attention on the red carpet as she makes her way into the event

 

Dowdy: Mariah as Ms Weiss in Precious

Festival chairman Harold Matzner said: 'We're delighted to be able to present the Breakthrough Performance Award to the extraordinary, very beautiful and versatile Mariah Carey, who, in a critically acclaimed role, completely transformed herself from a glamorous music icon to a forthright social worker for the role of Ms Weiss in Precious.

She has already picked up several awards for best supporting actress for the role in Daniels' highly acclaimed film, which is based on the novel, Push, by Sapphire.
The singer recently poked fun at her role in the new movie, in which she appears as a dowdy social worker named Ms Weiss, saying fans always ask her about the moustache she sports.

Black and white: Anna Kendrick bucked the trend for black dresses at the event, while Michelle Pfeiffer played it safe with her unremarkable outfit

She said: 'I lost all the vanity stuff, but when people really started analysing, they have to ask about the moustache. Why is it important? Oh, my goodness, it's hideous.'
The usually glamorous Grammy winner added: 'That's not my no-make-up look just for your information. Could you let [Newsweek] readers know?... I don't think Nick [Cannon, her husband] would be here if that was my look.'
Mariah joined a star-studded line-up at the film festival, including Clint Eastwood, Helen Mirren, Michelle Pfeiffer, Morgan Freeman and Marion Cotillard.

Winners: Morgan Freeman won the Career Achievement award while Jeff Bridges was honoured with a Desert Palm Achievement award

Career highlight? Actor Morgan Freeman presents the Career Achievement Award to Helen Mirren at the 2010 Palm Springs International Film Festival gala

With the male stars all dressed up in obligatory tuxedos, it was down to the ladies to really show some flair.
And it was Marion Cotillard who stood out from the crowd in a short, ruffled off-the-shoulder number.
Helen Mirren kept it sensible in an uninspiring black, floor-length dress with sheer sleeves.

Honoured: Clint Eastwood presents the Career Achievement award to fellow Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman

Michelle Pfeiffer also went for the black option in another unremarkable dress, coupled with a smart pair of black heels.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival runs over the course of 13 days, from January 5-18, and covers the entire spectrum of world cinema with over 200 films featured.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor: Jeremy Renner

Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress: Mariah Carey

Career Achievement Award, Actor: Morgan Freeman

Career Achievement Award, Actress: Helen Mirren

Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor: Jeff Bridges

Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress: Marion Cotillard

Director of the Year Award: Jason Reitman

Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing: T Bone Burnett

Rising Star Award: Anna Kendrick

                                                  Sonny Bono Visionary Award: Quentin Tarantino