After nearly 20 years in the business, Mariah Carey is about to receive the breakthrough performance award at the 21st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala.

Carey’s performance as the completely unglamorous social worker, Ms. Weiss, in the drama, Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” By Sapphire, has wowed not only critics, but industry insiders as well.

Over the course of her career, Carey has received 33 Grammy nominations resulting in five Grammy wins. But, that’s only part of her many accomplishments that include Billboard’s Artist of the Decade, and the Best-Selling Female Pop Artist of the Millennium at the 2000 World Music Awards.

The singing superstar has taken a featured or smaller roles in handful of movies, some real stinkers (i.e. Glitter). But none of those on-screen characters have brought her the acclaim of Precious and even has many speculating on the chances of her getting an Academy Award nomination.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival runs from January 5th through January 18th, 2010. The Awards Gala kicks off the festival on January 5th.

For more information, call (760) 322-2930 or (800) 898-7256 or visit www.psfilmfest.org.