Red carpet ride: Fashionistas in force for annual Naples film fest opening night

The Naples International Film Festival rolled out its red carpet for the return of the traditional opening night — indoors in Hayes Hall at Artis—Naples — and the partiers trooped in Thursday. 

The festival opening night may be the closest thing Naples has to a Metropolitan Museum of Art gala, and the fashionistas were in force, with everything from lace capes and spatter blazers to headwear like fascinators and outback hats. 

Yes, there were films to come, a five-work celebration of "The Art of the Short." (The festival continues through Sunday; for information see artisnaples.org)  But in the social hour before and the moonlight parties afterward, clothes encounters heightened the attraction. 

Ella Howard came in what may have been the evening's richest blend of prints in a flounce-skirt frock from London-based designer Mary Katrantzou and glittering green chandelier earrings to set it off. "It's a runway dress," she declared. "If you Google her, you will see this dress on the runway."

Personal stylist Sarah LaMont, on the other hand, was more attuned to the cut: Her outfit was a triple-print Zara with an asymmetrical top that allowed a flash of midriff over its long ruched skirt. 

"I saved it for this event because it's my favorite dress event of all year in Naples," declared the owner of WhyStyle, who had brought her junior stylist, Erica Thebaud, to see the crowd. LaMont, however, was also here as one of the festival's most loyal fans.

"I've been to every festival since it started, because one of my favorite people in the world, Ellen Goldberg, helped start it, and I support local women." 

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Men weren't about to be left without a fashion statement, judging by the geometric print shirts and assertive ties. Robert Nardi had extended his look to a crystal-specked Stefano Ricci tie and a Roberto Cavalli jacket with swaths and spatters in charcoal tones that he was pleased to have found.

"He doesn't make a lot for men," he said. 

Not making an appearance Thursday: The protective facemasks that had become nearly ubiquitous during the pandemic. Most of the wearers Thursday were staff members. (For a complete policy, see the artisnaples.org website.)

Some of the filmmakers attending had come with their own sense of style. Cheri Gaulke, director for the short documentary, "Miss Alma Thomas: A Life in Color," was living her own life in color: pink-and-blue specs, dangling black pompon earrings and a fuchsia top knot. She also was getting to know her producer, Jon Gann, on Thursday; the two actually hadn't met until this film festival. 

"We made the entire film via Facetime and text messaging and email," Gann explained. When she went to direct the subjects — which I was in DC with, and the interview crew — she was on this big iPad so they could see her face. But she was not there."

Gaulke had used an iMax that tracked the cinematographers' views, and conducted her interviews over an iPad.

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"It was weird because even though we were across the country it felt normal. I felt like I was talking to people in a room; they were just in the next room," she said.

"It’s beautiful," she said of the finished product. "It’s not a Zoom piece at all. It was shot by a professional film crew. It was done in many different gorgeous locations in Washington, D.C., and they sent it to me and I just cut it all together. 

"You’d never know it was done remotely."

Before the pandemic, Gann had managed film festivals himself, and he was happy to be at this one.

"This is the first in-person film festival I’ve been to in two years, since the lockdown," he said. "I’ve been to a few hybrid events, very small attendance, so to be at a real opening night with a huge crowd and Champagne in your hand – we’re coming back! It’s great."

Robin Hauser, director of "$avvy," agreed.

"This is my fourth time at Naples' film festival. So I'm a veteran," she said. It's a favorite, she said. "They make filmmakers their No. 1 priority.

"Also, there's an incredible audience here in Naples. There are people who love film, who love the arts, who are willing to donate to Artis—Naples, and even before that, the Naples International Film Festival — people who are willing to come out and support filmmakers. It makes a huge difference. "

Hauser's film, which will be screened at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, and 1:45 p.m. Sunday, October 24, came from her own experience after a divorce. She found she had no 401(k), no idea how  to save for retirement and no help from her friends, who were reluctant to talk about money.

"And these were friends I'd had since kindergarten," Hauser marveled. "I found talking about money is taboo. This has got to change."

Renee Bitonte and Dana Demarr, having lost their table when they got up to get a drink, had parked themselves on a step to watch arrivals getting the star treatment with photographers and red carpet entrance. Both generally attend closing night, but the Thursday opening was beginning to win them over.

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Demarr had come in a tangerine woven silk top with gold details, its first outing, too. "My daughter bought this for me three years ago. I've never put it on until tonight," she said. 

"I love it," Bitonte. "The people watching is fabulous."

Shaun and Lois Higgins also were people-watching, relaxing in east lobby window seats with  Artis—Naples-supplied popcorn and flutes of Champagne. After three years at the festival, it has become a tradition for them.

"We've lived in New York. We've lived in London And in Naples, on (a scale of )1 to 10, it's a 13," Shaun Higgins said. "We absolutely enjoy it."

Harriet Howard Heithaus covers arts and entertainment for the Naples Daily News/naplesnews.com. Reach her at 239-213-6091.