Co-founder and CEO of the Newport Beach Film Festival Gregg Schwenk muses that there are several reasons the fest, which will run Oct. 12-19 this year, has grown in popularity over the last 24 years. There are, of course, the movies: over 300 films this year, including about 100 features and over 200 shorts from countries all over the world. Some of the buzzy titles include Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” and Todd Haynes’ “May December,” both looking to impact on the upcoming awards season. In addition, honors will be presented to several artists throughout the festival, including Artist of Distinction Patricia Clarkson, Legend Award recipient William Shatner and Icon Award honoree Eugenio Derbez.
And then there’s the location. “It’s hard to beat Newport Beach,” says Schwenk of the city south of Los Angeles, which includes gorgeous beaches and boat-filled harbors. “Our nature and beauty are world-renowned. And being only about an hour from Hollywood makes people feel like they’re getting away but close enough where people can be home in their own bed if they want to.”
It helps that Newport Beach is in Orange County, which happens to boast many film industry players, including members of the Motion Picture Academy. Voters who can’t make it up to L.A. regularly for screenings and events can celebrate in their own backyard.
Schwenk says the last 24 years have been a “slow and steady building process,” and this year’s fest is gearing up to be packed with great movies and unique events. Despite recent issues with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the festival managed to line up special guests that “have the opportunity to respectfully honor and recognize talents both in front of and behind the camera.”
This includes Haynes being honored with the Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award following an Oct. 15 screening of “May December.” The Netflix offering stars Oscar-winners Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore — the latter a frequent Haynes collaborator. Derbez, recently seen in the Oscar-winning “CODA,” will also be present to receive the Icon Award after an Oct. 18 screening of his new film, “Radical,” in which he plays a teacher in a Mexican border town. And on Oct. 13, Jack Huston — known for his acting roles in projects like “Boardwalk Empire” and “Mayfair Witches” — will receive the Breakthrough Director Award following a screening of his feature directorial debut, “Day of the Fight.”
The fest will also celebrate artists whose films have had a big impact this year with special screenings. This includes Clarkson accepting her Artist of Distinction honor following a screening of her latest film, “Monica,” on Oct. 13. The film focuses on a trans woman, played by Trace Lysette, who returns home
to care for her estranged mother (Clarkson). That same day, Phil Lord and Chris Miller will
attend a screening of the megahit “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and be honored with the Maverick Award. The multi-hyphenates won Oscars for producing its predecessor, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
Other honorees include Emmy Award winner Shatner receiving the Legend Award on Oct. 18 prior to a screening of the documentary “William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill,” which delves into the 92-year-old performer’s career from “Star Trek” to “Boston Legal.” On Oct. 16, actor and activist Jesse Williams, recently Tony-nominated for his work in “Take Me Out,” will receive the Arts Champion Award, which recognizes community and cause. And at the festival’s closing night reception on Oct. 19, Glenn Howerton will be honored as an Artist of Distinction. The co-creator and star of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” earned raves for his dramatic turn in this year’s “Blackberry.”
Outside of honors, other notable events include the 30th anniversary screening of “In the Name of the Father” on Oct. 15 with writer-director Jim Sheridan present. The Irish film was nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1993 including nods for actors Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompson and Pete Postlethwaite. “We have a strong connection to Irish film,” Schwenk notes; last year, Newport screened “The Quiet Girl,” which went on to earn an Oscar nod. “[‘In the Name of the Father’] is such a powerful film and really captured these talents at a great moment in their careers; it felt like it would be great to celebrate.”
For those who love food and film, there will be a culinary reception on Oct. 17 prior to the premiere of “Susan Feniger. Forked.” The documentary from Liz Lachman focuses on the James Beard-award winning chef as she opens her first solo restaurant. Both Feniger and Lachman will participate in a Q&A before the screening. “Culinary adventure has always been a part of our DNA,” notes Schwenk. “And this is the perfect evolution of that.”
And of course, there are the movies — over 91 films from 19 countries. That includes 14 world premieres, such as “Brave the Dark,” starring Jared Harris and co-written and directed by Damian Harris. In addition to Centerpiece Films like “Rustin” with Colman Domingo and “Fingernails” with Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed, the festival offers such programs as Action Sports, Animation, LGBTQ+ and Local OC, including opening night film “The Absence of Eden” with Zoe Saldana. There are also shorts programs, both for narrative films and documentary.
There’s also plenty to do between films. “You would want to come here even if there wasn’t a film festival,” says Schwenk. “You can watch a great film and go shopping or spend a day at the beach, go standup paddleboarding, hit the golf course — and then back to catch another great film.”
