Deb McGuire, Hawaii Pet Photographer

Deb McGuire Photography displayed her images at Hawaii’s 1st Annual Pet Film Festival and Holiday Gift Show.  The event featured fashion, products, photographs, film, and, of course, PETS!

The first event, a fashion show, featured designs of the “Half Moon Collection.”  The Hawaiian inspired threads included matching outfits for all family members… yes, that includes the four-legged members.  You can mix and match.  A family can get a style and a color that matches your pet’s size and hair color.  The dogs in their brightly colored Hawaiian attire stole the show.

Next on the stage was the Oahu SPCA and Hawaii Pet Foundation with pets for adoption.  They Oahu SPCA, an all volunteer organization, has a mission to reduce euthanasia.  The brought along a few of their rescue pets.  The larger dogs were handled by a trainer from “Bark Busters.”

Of course, the main event was the Film Festival.  Contestants entered in various categories.  The entrants were judged by Fashion Photographer Russell Tinoi, Hawaii Film Institute Director Chuck Fuller, and Honolulu Advertiser’s Leslie Kawamoto.  ”And the winner is…”

Best Photo Winner: Vince Dyasco for “Lucky”

Best Ensemble Photo Winner:  Vince Dyasco for “Whiskey and Friends”

Best Comedy Film Winner:  Sonny Lee Oshiro for “Bed Bug”

Best Comedy Photo Winner:  Dawn Kim for “Who Me, Adorable”

Best  Drama Film Winner:  Marshall Silva for “Maggie’s Video”

Best Drama Photo Winner:  Tie between Lynn Santiago for “Movie Poster” and Maurice Sakai for “Halo”

Best Film Winner:  Amanda Kimball for “Unleashed”

Best Costume Photo:  Lynette Tataki

Aloha Animal-tarian:  Noe Therapy Dog Tails of Hawaii

Dianne Fossey Award: East Maui Animal Rescue Boo Boo Zoo

The event was attended by about a thousand people, many accompanied by their pets.  Some pets walked at the end of a leash.  Some rode in strollers.  There were pets in purses, pets in  backpacks, pets in front packs and pets in slings.  Some very, very small dog breeds were carried by there very, very large male owners.

With so many pets, potty opportunities must be a planning consideration.  Signs posted: “PET POTTY AREA LOCATED ON THE MAUKA SIDE OF THE ENTRANCE PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PETS.”  Some dogs ignored the sign and availed themselves of the post of Deb’s booth.  Once marked, many others sniffed then added their own “communication.”  Then, accidents do happen.  For that, Toby Long, husband of “Hawaii Pet Magazine’s” Mary Long, toured as “Poo-Poo Patrol.”  In the humble opinion of HawaiiPetPhotos.com, Toby excelled in his duties.

Deb McGuire Photography, HawaiiPetPhotos.com, salutes all the participants and entrants.  Congratulations to the very deserving winners.