Bradley Cooper at Variety Indie Impact Brunch Pictures

The tables were turned for Silver Linings Playbook director David O. Russell and his star Bradley Cooper at today's Variety Indie Impact brunch at The Parker hotel in Palm Springs. On the weekend, David presented Bradley with the Palm Springs International Film Festival's Desert Palm Achievement award for acting, but this afternoon, Bradley honoured David with the Indie Impact award for his directing work, calling his experience working with David "magical." Bradley said: "We shot Silver Linings Playbook in 33 days. Many directors would be hospitalised upon just hearing the schedule." All joking aside, the project has been a critical success. Bradley has been racking up nomination after nomination for his role in the film, including nods from the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, and David has been earning plenty of accolades of his own for his behind-the-camera work.

Several of the presenters and honourees from the Palm Springs International Film Festival gala were also in attendance at the annual brunch. Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hooper, as well as The Sessions star John Hawkes, all stopped by to applaud David. Variety, which partnered with Mercedes-Benz for the event, also took the opportunity to recognise 10 up-and-coming directors during the festivities, including Wayne Blair and Rebecca Thomas.