Helen Hunt's debut project opens the festival.

Hollywood moved to Palm Springs on Thursday for the opening night of the 19th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.
HELEN HUNT took center stage last night with her feature film writing-and-directing debut, 'Then She Found Me,' selected as the opening film. The movie also stars Helen as a New York schoolteacher who struggles with family and a mid life crisis while beginning a courtship with the father (COLIN FIRTH) of one of her students.
On Saturday, ET's own MARY HART will host the festival's annual Awards Gala, which will honor both HALLE BERRY and DANIEL DAY-LEWIS with the prestigious Desert Palm Achievement Award.