Newport Beach Film Festival Celebrates 25 Years with Honors for Nicolas Cage, Colman Domingo, and the Opening Night Film ‘Old Guy’.
The Newport Beach Film Festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, running from October 17 to 24. Founded in 1999 by Orange County natives Gregg Schwenk and Todd Quartararo, the festival has grown from a small event to an internationally recognized celebration of cinema. Schwenk, now the founder and CEO, recalls the festival’s humble beginnings. He and Quartararo saw the potential of their coastal town, saying, “A beautiful coastal setting, surrounded by a vibrant business community and enthusiastic filmgoers, combined with our proximity to the film industry epicenter made Newport Beach the ideal place to launch an international film festival.”
Over the years, the Newport Beach Film Festival has become a key stop for Oscar hopefuls and a platform to honor prominent figures in the film industry. This year’s honorees include Oscar winners Nicolas Cage and Christoph Waltz, as well as Academy Award nominees June Squibb, Colman Domingo, Diane Warren, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Amy Poehler will also be recognized as Variety’s Legends and Groundbreakers honoree.
This year’s festival features an impressive lineup of 130 feature films and 260 short films from over 50 countries. The opening night film is “Old Guy,” starring Christoph Waltz, while the closing night film is “A Real Pain,” written, directed by, and starring Jesse Eisenberg. Other notable films include “Nightbitch,” featuring Amy Adams, “The Piano Lesson,” starring John David Washington and Samuel L. Jackson, and Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths,” with Marianne Jean-Baptiste. The festival will also showcase the SXSW Audience and Jury Awards winner “Bob Trevino Likes It” and the world premiere of “Lost & Found in Cleveland,” featuring Squibb and Martin Sheen.
In addition to the films, the festival will host special events throughout its duration. Schwenk announced a partnership with Fashion Island for StyleWeekOC, which will include fashion films and discussions with industry icons. On October 20, the festival will hold a brunch honoring established performers like Cage and Domingo, as well as Variety’s new class of 10 Actors to Watch. The festival will also recognize 10 Cinematographers to Watch at the newly restored Lido Theater on October 19.
Schwenk emphasizes the quality of the festival experience. “Our theaters have state-of-the-art technology, luxury seating, and the finest amenities,” he said. “Our red carpet galas feature culinary tastings from top restaurants in Orange County, live entertainment, and award-winning DJs.” The festival collaborates with local venues such as the Resort at Pelican Hill, Sherman Library & Gardens, and Balboa Bay Resort to enhance the festival experience.
From its inception, the Newport Beach Film Festival has made a lasting impact on filmmakers. Schwenk noted, “From day one, filmmakers have shared stories about transformative experiences they had at the Newport Beach Film Festival. From engaging Q&A sessions to finding their next project, collaboration, or financier to enjoying our spectacular filmmaker yacht cruise in picturesque Newport Bay.”
As it marks its 25th year, the Newport Beach Film Festival continues to be a significant platform for filmmakers and audiences alike.
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