The 28th annual Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) kicked-off last week and the buzz is everywhere. Running from October 1-16, VIFF presents approximately 575 screenings of 350+ films from over 70 countries. Not known for attracting big Hollywood names, the festival nonetheless has plenty of glitz and glam to go with it, including the Gala Opening night party, the Brightlight/Bridge Studios big Red Carpet Party at Cin Cin, The Canadian Images soiree at Joeys on Burrard and the Women in Film and Television (WIFTV) Martini Madess at Edge. Check viff.org for more info.
01 – Keeping it cheeky – burlesque girls, feathers and fun are all part of the annual Woman in Film and Television (WIFTV) Martini Madness party at the Edge on Granville.
02 – West Vancouver’s Jack Evrensel, left, owner of Cin Cin restaurant, chats with North Vancouver’s Peter Leitch, President of North Shore Studios and Mammoth Studios.
03 – ET Canada’s Erin Cebula interviews local actors, like Ryan Robbins (of Sanctuary and Battlestar Galactica fame), on the red carpet at Cin Cin.
04 – Twelve year-old Cassandra Sawtell is a North Shore actress who can be seen in the upcoming “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” with the likes of Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Christopher Plummer.
05 – West Vancouer’s Sharon Chan looks after VIPs, like actor Lochlyn Munro (Night at the Roxbury, 9-9-09), at the Cin Cin red carpet affair.
06 – Karim and Monica Virani take in the VIFF Opening Night Gala at the Rocky Mountaineer after the screening of “A Shine of Rainbows”.
07 – Twilight: Eclipse movie fans will recognize Nanaimo born actress Jodelle Ferland who is also starring in “Everything’s Coming Up Rosie” at the festival.
08 – Taking in the action at several red carpet events, including the Loden Hotel’s “Fabulous” party, are pretty PR gal Tammy Preast, left, and West Vancouver businessmen Frank Giustra and Harald Ludwig.
Ralph, Elena and Deb (R.E.D. Management) are no strangers to talent agency management. In fact, between them they’ve got over 35 years experience here in Vancouver representing some of the best and brightest in the biz on familiar shows like Battlestar Galactica, Intelligence, 24 and more. So when it finally came time to strike out on their own, they made it look easy. Now, with a floating barge for a home here in North Vancouver’s Mosquito Creek Marina, they can celebrate their first anniversary in style. Invited guests and local celebs came out to party aboard the Queen of Diamonds on a sunny Sunday afternoon and toast the trio that helped make the famous.
The Leo Awards, BC’s version of the Oscars and Emmys, took place last weekend at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. Produced by the North Shore’s own Sonny Wong and Walter Daroshin, celebrities from both TV and movies walked the red carpet in style before being honoured by their peers at the gala awards show and dinner. Star spotters, autograph hunters and paparazzi galore made this a real Hollywood in Vancouver moment to remember.
It was pure girl power this month for a couple of big reasons. First, the beautiful ladies at Expert Recruiters hosted a private showing of “Confessions of a Shopaholic” at the Scotiabank Theatre to launch their new designer handbag rental venture called “It’s Your Secret”. Next, the Women in Film and Television Vancouver (WIFTV) toasted their own during their gala film festival which honoured achievement among their peers.