Don Cheadle, named ShoWest's male star of the year, has three movies due in theaters in 2007, including the back-to-Vegas sequel "Ocean's Thirteen." Photos by Craig L. Moran. Kirsten Dunst, ShoWest's female star of the year, joins the summer sequel stampede once again in "Spider-Man 3." Shia LaBeouf, ShoWest's male star of tomorrow, stars in "Disturbia" and "Transformers" and lends his voice to a surfin' bird -- a penguin -- in the animated "Surf's Up."

In showbiz, you're only as good as your last movie.

Except at ShoWest, the movie industry's annual convention, where you're only as good as your next one.

That explains why actors such as Don Cheadle, Kirsten Dunst and Steve Carell -- and directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez -- collected awards Thursday night for movies audiences haven't had the chance to see yet.

ShoWest -- which ended a four-day run Thursday at Paris Las Vegas and Bally's -- usually serves as a launching pad for the crucial summer movie season, which is responsible for about 40 percent of the industry's annual box-office take.

But this summer, the calendar is jammed with sequels to many favorites, including third chapters of "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Spider-Man," "Shrek" and "Ocean's Eleven" -- the latter sequel marking a return to Las Vegas -- plus the fifth "Harry Potter" adventure.

The sequel connection figured in Thursday's awards, presented by movie theater operators to "Ocean's" Cheadle, male star of the year, and "Spider-Man 3's" Dunst, named female star of the year.

"It's definitely less suspenseful," Cheadle acknowledged in a pre-awards news conference, "but I'm still going to try and make a surprised face" in accepting the award.

As for Dunst, "for me, personally, going to the movies is one of my favorite things on Earth," and winning an award from "all the people who make that experience so special" is especially meaningful.

Making the moviegoing experience even more special inspired Tarantino and Rodriguez, ShoWest's directors of the year, to collaborate on "Grindhouse," a double feature coming in April that harkens to the drive-in days of the '70s.

"We're trying to make the theatrical experience exciting," Tarantino said, "where you're not just renting a seat for two hours."

Added Rodriguez, "It's showmanship that's gotten lost."

If showmanship has been in short supply at theaters, it also has all but disappeared from ShoWest.

With little need to hype pre-sold sequels -- and consolidation reducing the number of theater chains distributors need to cultivate -- major studios downplayed their involvement this year, leaving the ballyhoo to lower-profile projects and companies.

Kevin Costner and Demi Moore, once ShoWest staples, introduced their upcoming thriller, "Mr. Brooks," for MGM -- the former king of the Hollywood jungle, now reduced to a shadow of its formerly mighty self.

New Line, meanwhile, celebrated its July release, "Hairspray," based on the Broadway hit, which was inspired by the 1988 cult movie. Its retro-themed party -- meatloaf, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese topped the menu -- showcased clips of the movie's musical numbers and live renditions of the songs from cast members Queen Latifah, James Marsden, Elijah Kelley and Nikki Blonsky. "Hairspray" stars John Travolta, Christopher Walken and Michelle Pfeiffer also took bows at the bash but did not perform.

Once upon a time at ShoWest, major studios competed to see which one could host the most lavish event, with the most elaborate presentations and the biggest stars.

Universal built a mock prehistoric theme park inside a hotel ballroom to introduce theater owners to "Jurassic Park." John Williams led the Las Vegas Philharmonic to herald the return of "Star Wars." Dancers costumed as arachnids dangled from a showroom ceiling to promote "Spider-Man 2."

And such box-office behemoths as Harrison Ford, Will Smith, Julia Roberts and future Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger dutifully attended ShoWest year after year to thank theater owners and lead the cheers for their upcoming releases.

At this year's ShoWest, the celebrity lineup ranged from comedians Dane Cook and Larry the Cable Guy to Homer Simpson -- or at least a costumed version of the TV cartoon star, who patrolled a mock Moe's Bar serving drinks in Duff Beer souvenir mugs to promote his big-screen debut.

Paramount showed footage from its upcoming "Transformers," which was filmed partially at Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam, by showing footage of an alien attack. The presentation was augmented Wednesday afternoon by a meet-and-greet with star Shia LaBeouf, ShoWest's male star of tomorrow.

But if the big studios didn't express their appreciation to theater owners in lavish, star-studded presentations, several filmmakers reminded themselves, and ShoWest attendees, that the magic of the movies would not be possible without movie theaters.

"One of the things that really dawns on you when you get to ShoWest is what a debt you owe to exhibitors," said "Walk the Line" director James Mangold, introducing a clip from his upcoming "3:10 to Yuma" with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.

"There's nothing like seeing your film on the theater screen," said "French Connection" Oscar winner William Friedkin, who returns in May with the creepy-crawly "Bug." That's because, "in spite of all the new technology, it's the story and the acting that brings people to theaters."