On the one hand, the just-concluded Cinema Arts Festival was all about unique films and presentations by a handful of film world superstars. On the other, it was about chichi partying. And Houstonians clearly know how to rally in the name of sophisticated good times.

The four days of film screenings and programs concluded Sunday night with a celebration at the Southampton home of Jim and Franci Crane, Houston Cinema Arts Society board chair and a key player in getting the festival off the ground. Over down-home chicken and dumplings and bananas Foster, festival supporters fairly crowed over its success and over the high marks received by the VIPs involved — Isabella Rossellini, Shirley MacLaine and John Turturro.

The cheering fans included gallerist Fredericka Hunter, filmmaker Rob Ziebell, Sandy and Lee Godfrey, Rania and Jamal Daniel, Emily Todd, Jonathon Glus and Alton LaDay and Susan and Mike Plank. The group was blowing kisses to the Planks, investors in the film Black Swan, who helped Houston land that gem before its widespread release. The couple was just back from the star-studded opening in Los Angeles, practically stepping off the plane and straight into the party scene.

The party also saluted Marian Luntz , whowas celebrating her 20th anniversary as MFAH curator of film and video.

The night before, attorneys Mark Wawro and Melanie Gray hosted a late-night do in honor of MacLaine, following her spirited presentation at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Just through the door, MacLaine made a beeline for Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry Wright with whom she chatted about his book The Looming Tower and his play/film My Trip to Al-Qaeda.

Soaking up the heady company were Lynn Wyatt, Houston Cinema Arts Society executive director Trish Ridgon, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Carl Palazzolo and Vance Muse, and Sharon Adams and Slavka Glaser.

A few days earlier Wyatt hosted a late-night cocktail party in her River Oaks home for Isabella Rossellini, who displayed warmth and charm for the 50 or so guests after receiving a standing ovation and an award earlier in the evening at the MFAH.

Francois de Menil, John de Menil, Susie and Sanford Criner, Sima Ladjevardian, Rania and Jamal Daniel, owner of Levantine Entertainment and a society board member, and many of the guests from the Wawro/Gray party rubbed elbows with the striking Rossellini.

And then there was the intimate dinner that Martha and Richard Finger hosted for John Turturro. In short, there were as many parties as there were nights in the festival.

Where did they stay?

Rossellini and Turturro both bunked at Hotel ZaZa and MacLaine house-guested with long-time friends Lynn and Oscar Wyatt. Also at Hotel ZaZa over the weekend was Top Chef Masters winner Marcus Samuelsson, cooking up a storm in the Phantom Ballroom for the Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Buick Regal Discovery Tour.

A coup for UST arts

Soprano Ana Maria Martinez, who received rave reviews for her lead role in Houston Grand Opera's production of Madame Butterfly, starred as guest of honor at Judi McGee's River Oaks home during a gathering for the University of St. Thomas Performing Arts Society. UST president Robert Ivany used the occasion to announce that the society will host a fundraising gala on May 26 and Martinez will be the headliner. The Performing Arts Society is a new initiative of the university.

The afternoon gathering of 100 honored Cora Sue Mach and Marianne Ivany for their contributions to the performing arts. The event was chaired by Mary Ann McKeithan, Kathi Rovere, Jack Doherty and Barbara Van Postman.

Sight 'ems

Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak at Wortham Theater Center where he attended a performance of Madame Butterfly with Terence O'Neill, the city's director of international affairs & relations. In the city on official business, Kislyak had mentioned to Mayor Parker that he wished to see the acclaimed production. HGO obliged . . .

Shirley MacLaine having an early dinner at Tony's with Franci and Jim Crane before she headed to the MFAH for the Cinema Arts Festival screening of Terms of Endearment.Tony Vallone was on Cloud Nine as he and the film star reminisced about the late gossip columnist Maxine Mesinger and the scenes from the movie that were filmed in the old Tony's restaurant on Post Oak Boulevard. MacLaine ordered the famed Grand Marnier soufflé and, we are told, consumed it entirely by herself . . .

Erwin Creed of the 250-year-old French perfumery-to-royalty, House of Creed, supping at RDG with Thomas Saujet, president of International Cosmetics & Perfumes and with Houston Magazine's Jeff Gremillion. Creed was in town to launch a new scent at Neiman Marcus in celebration of the perfumery's 250th anniversary. The two well-heeled visitors opted for authentic regional fare in the form of Robert Del Grande's mouth-watering rabbit enchiladas . . .

A gaggle of Houstonians congregating at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas to cheer on Houston boxer Mike Lee as he quickly defeated his opponent. Martha Skender, Arturo Guerrero, Peggy Amante, Dorothy Ballentine, Maria-Elisa Baquero and Francisco Salgado joined the other 41,000 boxing enthusiasts.