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Newport Beach Film Festival kicks off Thursday
Officials expect to draw 51,000 attendees from across the globe.
By Kristen SchottPublished: April 20, 2010 09:48 AM
Film aficionados from across the globe are set to descend upon the Newport Beach Film Festival, which kicks off tomorrow and will feature more than 350 studio and independent films from nearly 50 countries.
The 11th annual event is a testament to Orange County's growing presence in the film world. Officials expect to draw 51,000 attendees this year, and the number has skyrocketed since the festival first began in 2000, with 13,000 attendees.
"Our coastal resort setting, amazing community support and strong filmmaker participation authenticate the Festival as the ultimate destination to experience cinema and discover new filmmaking talent," says Gregg Schwenk, executive director/CEO of the event.
The festival will begin Thursday evening with the world premiere of "Five Star Day" at Edwards Big Newport. The selection is the directorial debut for Orange County native Danny Buday, who also serves as the film's screenwriter and producer. The movie stars "Twilight's" Cam Gigandet and Jena Malone, who has starred in "The Soloist" and "Donnie Darko." The film will be screened at 7:30 p.m.
Immediately following the film, the festival and Esquire magazine will host an opening night gala at the Bloomingdale's Courtyard in Fashion Island. The evening will feature selections from 25 regional eateries, a fashion show and a performance of "Mystère" by Cirque du Soleil.
Throughout the festival, films will be screened at area theaters, including Edwards Big Newport, Edwards Island Cinemas and Regency Lido Theatre. And this year, festival organizers have added the Studio at Sage Hill – the new cultural facility on the campus of Sage Hill School – as a venue on April 24-25. Six documentary films will be shown, and the facility will also offer discussions with filmmakers and scholars, among others, following the screenings.
The event will wrap up on April 29 with an advanced screening of "Letters to Juliet," starring Amanda Seyfried, who is known for her roles in "Mamma Mia!" and "Dear John," Gael Garcia Bernal of "The Motorcycle Diaries" and "Nip Tuck's" Vanessa Redgrave. This movie will be shown at the Regency Lido Theatre at 8 p.m., and a closing celebration will follow at the Via Lido Plaza with culinary creations from more than a dozen eateries and live entertainment.
Here's a look at some of the other offerings:
"Up Under the Roof," a 35-mm short about a 10-year-old boy who must learn to face his fear about the mysterious "thing" hiding in his bedroom, will premiere on April 24 at the Edwards Island. Danielle Stalling, who grew up in Laguna Beach, co-wrote and produced the film – and she says coming back to the theater is "thrilling." The movie will be screened at 11:45 a.m.
The Action Sports Film Series will also kick off on Saturday, featuring the premiere of "The Westsiders" at the Regency South Coast Village at 8 p.m. The series will offer a total of 25 films – five of which are premieres – which will also be shown at the Regency Lido and Edwards Island. The series is co-produced by Irvine-based ChopShop.
Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to get an inside look at the industry while meeting with filmmakers and during post-screening question-and-answer sessions.
For more information, visit newportbeachfilmfest.com.
Related headlines
Seven-foot Mickey Mouse statues will appear throughout county
Nordstrom opens at Fashion Island
Disney's California Food & Wine Festival kicks off on Friday
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The 11th annual event is a testament to Orange County's growing presence in the film world. Officials expect to draw 51,000 attendees this year, and the number has skyrocketed since the festival first began in 2000, with 13,000 attendees. "Our coastal resort setting, amazing community support and strong filmmaker participation authenticate the Festival as the ultimate destination to experience cinema and discover new filmmaking talent," says Gregg Schwenk, executive director/CEO of the event. The festival will begin Thursday evening with the world premiere of "Five Star Day" at Edwards Big Newport. The selection is the directorial debut for Orange County native Danny Buday, who also serves as the film's screenwriter and producer. The movie stars "Twilight's" Cam Gigandet and Jena Malone, who has starred in "The Soloist" and "Donnie Darko." The film will be screened at 7:30 p.m. Immediately following the film, the festival and Esquire magazine will host an opening night gala at the Bloomingdale's Courtyard in Fashion Island. The evening will feature selections from 25 regional eateries, a fashion show and a performance of "Mystère" by Cirque du Soleil. Throughout the festival, films will be screened at area theaters, including Edwards Big Newport, Edwards Island Cinemas and Regency Lido Theatre. And this year, festival organizers have added the Studio at Sage Hill – the new cultural facility on the campus of Sage Hill School – as a venue on April 24-25. Six documentary films will be shown, and the facility will also offer discussions with filmmakers and scholars, among others, following the screenings. The event will wrap up on April 29 with an advanced screening of "Letters to Juliet," starring Amanda Seyfried, who is known for her roles in "Mamma Mia!" and "Dear John," Gael Garcia Bernal of "The Motorcycle Diaries" and "Nip Tuck's" Vanessa Redgrave. This movie will be shown at the Regency Lido Theatre at 8 p.m., and a closing celebration will follow at the Via Lido Plaza with culinary creations from more than a dozen eateries and live entertainment. Here's a look at some of the other offerings: "Up Under the Roof," a 35-mm short about a 10-year-old boy who must learn to face his fear about the mysterious "thing" hiding in his bedroom, will premiere on April 24 at the Edwards Island. Danielle Stalling, who grew up in Laguna Beach, co-wrote and produced the film – and she says coming back to the theater is "thrilling." The movie will be screened at 11:45 a.m. The Action Sports Film Series will also kick off on Saturday, featuring the premiere of "The Westsiders" at the Regency South Coast Village at 8 p.m. The series will offer a total of 25 films – five of which are premieres – which will also be shown at the Regency Lido and Edwards Island. The series is co-produced by Irvine-based ChopShop. Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to get an inside look at the industry while meeting with filmmakers and during post-screening question-and-answer sessions. For more information, visit newportbeachfilmfest.com. Related headlines Seven-foot Mickey Mouse statues will appear throughout county Nordstrom opens at Fashion Island Disney's California Food & Wine Festival kicks off on Friday |
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