Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep And Julia Roberts Honoured At Palm SpringsInternational Film Festival

Meryl Streep was honoured with the Icon Award at the Palm Springs gala (FameFlynet)

With the Oscars now less than two months away, awards season is starting to get in full swing and last night saw the stars descend on California for the 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The festival kicked off with a star-studded gala where awards were handed out to big names from some of the hot Academy Award contender films.

Meryl Streep was one of the evening's big winners, receiving a rousing round of applause from the 2000 guests as she took to the stage to receive the Icon Award, a coveted gong which has only been given out one other time -- to Michael Douglas in 2011.

"I feel like I'm an example now in my dotage that you can't put those old gals out to pasture -- we've got a lot to say," the August: Osage County actress quipped.

Streep's co-star from August: Osage County Julia Roberts was also honoured, collecting the Spotlight Award as well as presenting a gong to her friend Tom Hanks, who took home the Chairman's Award.

Gravity star Sandra Bullock, who looked incredible in a pink and orange lace gown, had everyone laughing by joking about her co-star and close pal George Clooney, quipping about a supposed feud between herself and Julia Roberts over the silver haired bachelor. "We talked about this, right? It's shared custody and we're fine with it," she said.

Sandra Bullock had everyone laughing with her acceptance speech (FameFlynet)

One of the biggest contenders for the Oscars, 12 Years a Slave also picked up a gong with the film's British director Steve McQueen handed the director of the year award, with the acclaimed film-maker introduced by his star Chiwetel Ejiofor.

"What's been most important about the cast and crew is that we made this film out of love," McQueen said of the honour.

In addition to the acting and directing awards, for the first time, a musical act, U2 was honoured with the Irish band winning the Sonny Bono Visionary Award. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom stars Idris Elba and Naomie Harris introduced the iconic band, who received the award that had previously only been given to directors.

The band's song Ordinary Love features in the Mandela biopic's soundtrack.

Julia Roberts looked gorgeous in leopard print for the Palm Springs International Film Festival gala (FameFlynet)