While today's known as the most depressing day of the year (snore) for the rest of us mere mortals, we reckon director Steve McQueen's woken up feeling rather smug. He's just been crowned Best Director at the Palm Springs Gala.

Not much of a surprise though, considering his most recent offering, 12 Years a Slave, has been earning itself 5 star reviews left, right and centre. Even we here at entertainment.ie have awarded it with our top score and you know how influential we are.

Elsewhere, Meryl Streep was celebrated with their Icon award while Tom Hanks was on hand to accept the Chairman's Award for his stellar performances in both Saving Mr Banks and Captain Phillips. ""I don't feel like an icon. Most of the days I feel like 'I can't... I feel like I'm an example now in my dotage of the fact that you just can't put those old gals out to pasture. We've got a lot of stuff still to say... This is an amazing festival because there's so many actors who are honored, and so many different categories, and I think the Icon one sounds the least alive but I'm happy to be receiving it," beamed Hollywood's favourite actress, Meryl Streep.

Others acknowledged at the Palm Springs Gala included Matthew McConaughey for his role in Dallas Buyers Club, Sandra Bullock for her role in Gravity, Julia Roberts and even our very own U2.