Like the Oscars, without angst

THE Hollywood Film Festival’s Hollywood Awards is the kickoff for the awards season, the first gala where nomination-seekers press the flesh. But it’s all very discreet because the awards aren’t on live TV. Also, winners know they’re getting an award. What a relief! Everyone chilled at the Beverly Hilton knowing no faux pas, Freudian slip or sour puss would be seen around the globe. A frisky mood prevailed: Lindsay Lohan, accepting the “breakthrough actress of the year” award, confronted her tardy-girl rep: “I’d like to thank everyone on ‘Georgia Rule’ and at Morgan Creek, because apparently, I was late every day.” Ben Affleck bragged about going to home to “make love to the baby-sitter.” Relax. Wife Jennifer Garner was on baby duty. -- ELIZABETH SNEAD

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1. Lindsay Lohan receives her award Monday night. 2. Clint Eastwood accepted a film preservation award for the Film Foundation. 3. Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock, supporting actor and supporting actress of the year, have a laugh backstage. From the stage, Bullock thanked her husband for “the good loving you give me every day -- and especially last night!” (“A little too much booze in the green room, Sandra?” joked emcee Mark Steines.) 4. Robin Williams, center, with actor of the year Forrest Whitaker and presenter Bonnie Hunt, noted that “it’s an honor to get a career achievement award and not be incontinent. And it’s wonderful to get out of rehab and go to a place with an open bar, thank you!”

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Turning on the waterworks -- and the artworks

In Beverly Hills, the designer showcase Esquire House 360 had a benefit Oct. 19 for the Art of Elysium, a charity that links artists with special-needs children. Michael Muller’s giant underwater photographs, taken in pools, oceans and bathtubs, were on silent auction. 8. Eric Dane, “Dr. McSteamy” of “Grey’s Anatomy,” and his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, cuddle up outside admiring the photos. 9. Casey Affleck is active in the charity. His brother Ben knows Muller’s work well. “He shot me for my very first magazine spread,” Ben Affleck confided. “It was for Sassy magazine.” 10. Donovan Leitch was there with model wife Kirsty Hume, who had taken the plunge to pose for several of the photographs.

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William Rast: Burning down the house

The William Rast spring 2007 show at Social Hollywood Oct. 17 was the hottest Fashion Week party. Let’s just say, fire marshals closed it down. Before that, there was a performance by William Rast co-owner Justin Timberlake with JC Chasez and Lance Bass, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and will.i.am of the Black-Eyed Peas. 5. Bass, right, with boyfriend Reichen Lehmkuhl. 6. Timberlake, post-show. 7. Cameron Diaz, Timberlake’s girlfriend.

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No party is complete without ...

11. ... a little synchronized swimming. At the Art of Elysium benefit, guests were treated to a performance by the U.S. Olympic women’s team, no less. By the way, if you want to be hip, just call it “synchro.”