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A host of celebrities and artists walked the beachfront red carpet to kick off the 6th Okinawa International Movie Fest in Ginowan, Okinawa.
Every year creators and stars alike, along with representatives of host talent agency Yoshimoto Kogyo, parade for throngs of fans at the opening of the fest and this year was no exception. Yoshimoto CEO Hiroshi Osaki was introduced at the start of the parade and greeted the participants.
The procession, 170 meters long, got off to a rousing starting with Okinawan musicians and dancers performing the traditional dance called Eisa, pounding huge and small drums and twirling gracefully.
They were followed by the MCs for the festival Koji Imada, Ayako Kisa and Mai Sato. The women, the latter two, appeared in stunning blue pastel dresses which referenced the nearby ocean.
The stars of the TV comedy talk show Downtown Deluxe Ari Misusawa and Ami Kikuchi were greeted by the wildly enthusiastic crowd, numbering 53,000.
The Kyoraku Corporation presented characters from the hugely popular comic and TV series Kamen Rider. The superheroes walked the carpet in costume.
Itsuji Itao, one of the stars of both critical and popular communities, walked the carpet to a rousing reception. Itao is starring in Morning Noon Night, screening at the fest, but also is a jury member for the Creators Factory award, a key program to encourage young filmmakers in Japan.
Bringing more star power from the world of politics was the extremely popular Governor of Okinawa Hirokazu Nakaima, who looked happy walking the carpet at this premier Okinawan film event.
From the film Furiko Kabuki legend Shido Nakamura and beautiful actress Manami Konishi, in a flowing white dress, strolled the carpet. They were accompanied by comedian Tekken, who wrote the manga the film is based on.
The film Round Table, by heralded Japanese director Isao Yukisada, had a host of luminaries walk under its auspices. Adorable child actor Mana Ashida was accompanied by Takashi Omura from the comedic group 99, Yoshimoto CEO Osaki and Tamako Miyagawa. The latter comedienne is the official representative of fest and looked stunning in a red-pink dress with oversized pearls.
In all, 595 people paraded on the red carpet thrilling the assembled fans.