On the red carpet at Eurocinema Hawaii

Nadine Kam photos
"Glee's" Harry Shum Jr., left, on the Eurocinema red carpet with Shelby Rabara and Chris Lee. Shum later claimed the Eurocinema Rising Star Award.

Luxury Row Presents EuroCinema Hawaii hosted its 4th annual awards gala Oct. 18 at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort and Spa in Waikiki.

The festival, dedicated to showcasing European films, with 11 nominated films from Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Norway, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Harry Shum Jr., best known for his character, Mike Chang on "Glee," was a paparazzi favorite on the red carpet and at the end of the evening received the 2013 Rising Star Award for his contribution to the industry. The award was presented by Daniel Dae Kim.

Jurors for the awards were local journalist and movie aficionado Bob Jones, Hana Hou! editor Julia Steele, and production designer Jane Ann Stewart, whose film credits include "Election," "Sideways," and "The Descendants."

Here are the winners:

Best film: The Princess Dialta Alliata Di Montereale Award for best film went to a Belgian-Dutch co-production, "Broken Circle Breakddown," by director Felix Van Groeningen.

Best director: Italian legend Bernardo Bertolucci for "Me and You."

Best actress: Paulina Garcia for her performance in the Spanish-Chilean co-production, "Gloria."

Best actor: Luca Barbareschi for his performance in the Italian film, "Something Good."

Best student film: For film students from the University of Hawai‘i’s Academy for Creative Media, went to "Little Girl's War Cry," directed by Erin Lau. She won a cash prize of $1,500 sponsored by the Sunny Dupree Family Foundation.

"Little Girl's War Cry" is the story of a 10-year-old Maori girl, Tiara born on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. Raised by a struggling single mother, who is repeatedly abused by her boyfriend, Tiare shelters herself from reality with her hero-centered imagination, until a prank goes wrong and she must dconfront the violence that stains her childhood and family.

Founded and incorporated in 2009, EuroCinema Hawaii is dedicated to the advancement of understanding among, and cultural exchange between, the peoples of Europe and Hawaii through the medium of film, and to the financial support of student filmmakers in Hawaii. In April of 2010, EuroCinema Hawaii announced its partnership with the Hawai'i International Film Festival, creating a Festival within a Festival.

Ingo Rademacher, with wife Ehiku, shows his "Dancing with the Stars" form on the red carpet.

Kelly Hu wore a sleek black, sequined gown to the event, which took place at the Moana Surfrider.

 Sebastian Siegel wrote, directed and co-produced this year's Bond-inspired Eurocinema trailer.

 Princess Dialta Alliata Di Montereale, representing Eurocinema Hawaii, and Hawai'i International Film Festival executive director Chuck Boller, prepare to introduce the evening's award presenters after a little dance on stage.

"Lost" and "Hawaii Five-0" star Daniel Dae Kim, left, with a fan, presented the evening's Rising Star Award to Harry Shum Jr., right.

Guillame Sadeler, of Cartier Honolulu, with "Lost's" Henry Ian Cusick.

The Eurocinema committee gathered on stage for a photo prior to the awards ceremony.

T Galleria by DFS focuses on experience of travel

DFS Group photo
Japanese celebrity model Jessica Michibata wore a Dior pale pink silk bustier and a cotton and silk "Petites Roses" cloque skirt, and Dior shoes on the red carpet to the launch of T Galleria by DFS.

Just back from Bali, Bangkok and Korea and felt like I was still on the road during the launch of the DFS Group's new brand identity. DFS has a huge presence at all the airports as I traveled from metropolis to metropolis, so Hawaii should be proud that the international luxury retailer chose the Waikiki store for its launch party.

Inside the galleria, redubbed T Galleria by DFS, there was champagne, martinis and hors d'oeuvres awaiting VIP guests, and a surprise performance by London R&B artist Estelle.

DFS chairman and CEO Philippe Schaus welcomed Marie-Chantal Claire, Crown Princess of Greece and daughter of DFS co-founder Robert Miller (draped in maile), Jessica Michibata and other guests.

 Also among guests were athlete, soap opera star and "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Ingo Rademacher, second from left, with his wife Ehiku.

The "T" stands for "travelers," which resonated with me because it's something I've been thinking about a lot lately, as I prepare to hit the road again next week, this time heading for Shanghai and Tokyo. I think it will resonate with a lot of people who travel for whatever reason: entertainment, excitement, escape, exploration.

VIPs flew in from all over the world to attend the event, and one of the executives from Hong Kong told me that Hong Kong and Hawaii were the only two options on the table, considering that DFS opened airport concessions on the same day back in 1962.


The "T" stands for "travelers," which resonated with me because it's something I've been thinking about a lot lately, as I prepare to hit the road again next week, this time heading for Shanghai and Tokyo. I think it will resonate with a lot of people who travel for whatever reason: entertainment, excitement, escape, exploration.

VIPs flew in from all over the world to attend the event, and one of the executives from Hong Kong told me that Hong Kong and Hawaii were the only two options on the table, considering that DFS opened airport concessions on the same day back in 1962.


Non-flash video

Kalakaua Avenue was closed between Lewers Street and Royal Hawaiian Avenue for the event that included food booths, a red carpet walk, kane hula kahiko performance, and entertainment by Taimane, Starr Kalahiki and the Noisettes from the U.K., all open to the public.

Chairman and CEO Philippe Schaus announced the change as a curtain parted to reveal a colossal "T" to the crowd gathered on the street, who weren't quite sure what the T stood for, but nevertheless let out the appropriate "oohs" and "ahhs."

The company has invested more than $50 million in its Waikiki location over the past few years, including a new look and establishing a Beauty World presence to become a shopper's destination, and to compete with other global luxury stores, including Hawaii's first Sak's Fifth Avenue, set to break ground next year.

The Waikiki DFS store is the company's second largest after Four Seasons Macau. DFS has 14 Gallerias and 18 international airport locations in 10 countries and three continents.

Actor Daniel Dae Kim, with his wife Mia, was among the celebrity guests.