Matt picks up a French Gong

 Good news for New York based director and former Sydney actor Matthew Newton. Matt has won a prize at the prestige Champs-Élysées Film Festival. The festival was created in 2012 by film distributor & producer Sophie Dulac and is held each June in Paris in 5 cinemas along the Champs-Élysées Avenue. The Festival brings together the best from French and American Cinema. The French take their arts very seriously and this win now brings Newtown to the attention of some of the world's most powerful European film industry identities. His film From Nowhere won the popular public inspired Prix de Public award.

Another star-studded evening!

 Well almost. You know you are possibly at the smartest shindig in town that night if the inevitable Stenmark Twins are rolled out. The occasion was the launch of some of the most extaraordinary Gin Palaces to hit Sydney. The type that are usually seen moored off Cannes or St Tropez.
Princess Yachts commandeered the sparkling new marina at Rose Bay to show off their latest wares and the punters were not disappointed. Luxury beyond compare, sleek and beautiful and looking very fast. And we did love the idea of plonking the odd Rolls Royce alongside the luxury boats. Or are they ships?

Kris Smith with Laura Csorton and the Stenmark twins        Larry Emdur and Sydney's top caterer Mandy Quinn

Sapphires Are Still Shining

The Australian film that has become an international hit The Sapphires has earned director Wayne Blair a moniker as one of influential Variety's Ten Directors To Watch.

Based on a real story The Sapphires tells the story of an Indigenous girl group who travelled to Vietnam in 1968 to entertain US troops. It received a standing ovation when screened at Cannes this year and stars Deborah Mailman, Shari Sebbens and Jessica Mauboy.

Director Blair also has a hit on his hands with a staring role in the ABC TV series Redfern Now.

Below is a clip from the movie : What A Man

Smash & Grab at Camilla's

Sydney fashion designer Camilla Franks has had her new Spring / Summer range stolen during a daring smash and grab raid at her Bondi Beach store.  According to the Daily Telegraph two thieves by-passed jewellery and other goods and headed straight for Camilla's new 'Gypsy' range, featured here in our snaps which were photographed at the David Jones' fashion parade last month.

Camila's label has gone from success to success and her floaty caftan style frocks are sold around the Mediterranean and are popular with well heeled ladies on the Côte d'Azur. Two years ago the world's richest woman Gina Rinehart cleaned out one boutique in Cannes by snapping up the store's 40 creations while on a shopping trip. St Tropez local Brigitte Bardot has been spotted featuring several of Camila's designs.

                            right : Camilla Franks - below : the Gypsy range.

Read more here.