Brand-new Look Cinemas welcomed ready-to-talk celebrities and VIPs for opening night of the Dallas International Film Festival. Mary Kay laid down the pink carpet for visiting stars, their adoring fans and supporters of the annual movie fest.
Dressed in a cozy fur capelet, Dallas Film Society chairman of the board Lynn McBee and her husband, Allan, were the first to take a step toward the theater. Minutes later, Arthur Benjamin and Lisa Blue Baron followed suit, as did 8-year-old Scary Movie 5 star Gracie Whitton, Dallas executive producer Ken Topolosky, Dallas Film Commission director Janis Burkland, and actors Bill Flynn and Del Shores from Cry.
Ladies perked up the moment that blue-eyed Twilight and Java Heat star Kellan Lutz stepped onto the carpet, but Australian bombshell and actress Sharni Vinson kept Lutz moving. Other head turners were tall, dark and handsome Java Heat father-son duo Conor and Rob Allyn.
Once the celebs made their entrances, DIFF leaders shared a few words before the opening-night films — 8 1/2,Kon-Tiki, Still Mine, The Crash Reel and Java Heat — began.
Dallas Film Society president and CEO Lee Papert expressed deep appreciation for the filmmakers and sponsors who made the event possible. “Film is definitely bigger in Texas, right?” he quipped.
McBee thanked volunteers and staff before inviting Benjamin to the stage. “This man has no boundaries in his kindness in what he does,” she said.
Benjamin talked about the organization that bears his name, which helps bring arts to inner-city kids. He said that his sponsorship honored the memory of the late Larry Hagman.
Artistic director James Faust had the last — and best — words. “Let’s start the 2013 Dallas International Film Festival off right. Here we go.”
With that, moviegoers flocked to the theaters for the movie of their choice and later mingled with the stars over wine, light bites and, of course, popcorn.
Ken Topolsky, Janice Burkland
