島ぜんぶでおーきな祭-第7回沖縄国際映画祭-

Despite overcast skies the mood was festive for the Red Carpet to open the 7^th Okinawa International Movie Festival. Boisterous fans gathered near the entrance and other locals lined the barrier to the procession twenty deep as they prepared for the celebrities and honored guests to enter. In all, around 20,000 witnessed 580 guests walk the Red Carpet.
 

Kicking off precisely at 2pm, Hosts Koji Imada and Ayako Kisa strode forward, Kisa sporting a summery pink and white striped dress. The crowd went wild when popular comedy duo Garage Sale followed close behind, in their smart tuxes. The J-pop trio Party Rockets looked stunning in their Silver and Black furry outfits. The comedy pair Woman Rush Hour stayed in character as they reached for fans autograph books in vain, the joke being they never quite get them. The comedy duo Trendy Angel sported fumakira mosquito repellant wristbands with white festival jumpers. The Yoshimoto comedy unit Penalty with star Waki followed and they caused the eager high schoolers near the barrier to break into a chant.
 

The Red Carpet saw a variety of alternately entertaining and beautiful guests. The cheering section from Itoman city provided a dance act and a guy in a horsehead, who was put into a headlock by one of the dancers at the end of the routine. The pep team from Nanjo city included a giant squid. On the beautiful side the J-pop duo AmiAya were gorgeous with Ami wearing a flowery multi-colored one piece balanced by Aya’s fluffy white dress.

A plethora of icons were out. Hinton Battle, known as a Broadway star and for the films Dreamgirls (2006) and The Shirley Temple Story (2001), led the way for the CAA contingent. The blockbuster girl group NMB48, from the AKB48 family, followed and looked cute as can be in their short plaid skirts and festival tee shirts. Rina Takeda looked absolutely radiant and represented the festival film entry Harajuku Denier. Another fest entry, At Home, brought stars Kentaro Sakaguchi, Daisuke Muramoto and adorable child star Yuto Ikeda, who appeared in a darling mini-suit with abbreviated pants. The Z Island film contingent were perhaps most true to their production. Three zombie girls staggered around as the crowd went wild for star Yuichi Kimura in a sharp tux and blue and white scarf.