LAS VEGAS -- Movie theater operators love to hang out with celebs as much as anybody else.

So the closing-night awards banquet has always been a big draw at ShoWest, where this year the annual lifetime achievement award went to billion-dollar Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

Bruckheimer's upcoming "Prince of Persia" was screened earlier Thursday. The nighttime awards gala was emceed by Billy Bush of syndie TV show

"So many celebrity butts to kiss," Bush told a ballroom packed with wine-swilling exhibitors. "I don't know where to begin."

Others collecting various awards at the banquet included directors Jay Roach and Todd Philllips; actors Sam Worthington and Katherine Heigl; the ensemble cast of this summer's tentpole "Sex and the City 2"; and stars of tomorrow Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer.

Hudgens -- who will be seen in CBS Films' upcoming "Beastly" and first gained wide recognition for her role in the "High School Musical" franchise -- said she has been involved in showbiz since she was a baby.

"I can't tell you how proud and blessed I feel to be here," Hudgens said. "I've been doing this since I was 3, so that makes for about 18 years."

Also, Zach Galifianakis was feted as comedy star of the year and Amanda Seyfried as breakthrough female star.

The convention's star power shone brightly earlier in the week as well, when Will Smith popped in to fete his son Jaden Smith as ShoWest 2010's star of tomorrow.

Sony's remake of "The Karate Kid," starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, was screened at the show Wednesday.

Jennifer Lopez -- star of CBS Films' "The Back-Up Plan," which screened Thursday -- made a luncheon appearance earlier in the day to promote the romantic comedy.

"It was fun getting back to work," Lopez said.

"Plan" is her first movie to hit theaters since taking time off to give birth to twins in 2008.

Hudgens, Pettyfer and other "Beastly" cast members also made luncheon appearances.