A-LISTS community by randy hope
NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL 2011 Anchored by Fashion Island, Newport Beach is better known
HOLLYWOOD’ IN THE OC:
A ‘LITTLE
today for being Orange County’s premier fashion destination than it is for premiere filmmaking. However, the coastal town was once nicknamed “Little Hollywood” and attracted celebri- ties for years, with its convenient access to its big brother Hol- lywood, the movie and entertainment capital of the world. Among the fashionistas and glamour, a little Hollywood film- maker glitz remains as the Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) celebrates its 12th year. The Festival runs from Thursday, April 28 through Thursday, May 5, and will spotlight more than 350 films from around the world—offering an ambitious and international selection of features, shorts, documentaries and animation. The films at the Festival screen at Edwards Island Cinema in Fashion Island, 999 Newport Center, in Newport Beach and at the Regency Lido Theatre, 3459 Via Lido, also in Newport Beach. Opening Night takes place at the Big Newport, one of the largest screens on the West Coast, 300 Newport
Center Drive, Newport Beach. “As Newport Beach strives to have its own artistic identity, the Festival provides a
critical point of entry to artistic filmmaker voices from around the world,” a festival orga- nizer stated. Holding true to its mission to bring the best in domestic and international filmmaking to Southern California, the NBFF will offer a truly cultural experience and spotlight films from more than 40 countries. “Newport Beach sits at the cultural center of Orange County. For the longest time it was believed that Orange County made little contribution to global culture, but in retrospect, it is clear that it has acted as the genesis of youth and active lifestyle trends that reverberate around the world,” the organizer explained.
The Festival features many different programs, which reflects the diverse audiences.
Programs include: the International Spotlight Series–Asian, Latino, French, Italian, Action Sports Film Series, Environmental Film Series, Animation Showcase, Family Film Series, Collegiate Showcase and a Youth Film Showcase. Each year the festival also highlights several films of interest to the LGBT community. In addition to film screenings, the festival hosts premiere galas, an industry seminar se-
ries, and question and answer sessions with filmmakers. Movie Maker Magazine named the Newport Beach Film Festival one of the “25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.” In addition, the NBFF offers filmgoers the rare opportunity of meeting the filmmakers.
directors, screenwriters and cinematographers eager to share their work, providing an exclusive inside look at the industry during post-screening Q&As. “This is what the Newport Beach Film Festival does better than 95 percent of other
festivals—it provides a voracious audience with an incredable selection of the festival’s films, sold-out screenings, in large beautiful theaters that play your film the way it was intended to be seen,” explained Elliot V. Kotek, Moving Pictures Magazine editor-in-chief. The festival also features an education portion where audience and other filmmakers can learn how to make movies. Hosted parties each night allow opportunities to meet those audience members and fellow filmmakers. Kotek said such lively and enlightening interaction reveals the processes behind the films and the personalities within it. “Past audiences have been appreciative and the buzz about support the organizers of the NBFF give circulates throughout the event. This sort of stuff is invaluable to a film,” he said. “It will gift the film with goodwill and create the confidence to go on to other festivals or even better to go out in to the marketplace.” Such star treatment of filmgoers and filmmakers alike, coupled with the geographic
location is what makes the NBFF one of the fastest growing film festivals in the United States. Newport Beach is at the midpoint between Los Angeles and San Diego and
CNN.com ranked it in the top 10 places to live in the United States. The average house- hold income is nearly $150K, while the average home price is $1.8 million. As such, the filmmakers whose work the NBFF spotlights often find increased potential based on the glitzy socioeconomic surroundings. Through the festival, they not only gain access to local audiences, it provides a potential connection to area funding sources allowing for potential backing on upcoming projects, which in turn garners acceptance and access to other festivals. It is no wonder why the O.C.’s “Little Hollywood” coastal town today boasts one of the largest movie consumer groups in the world.
For more information and a complete Newport Beach Film Festival 2011 screening schedule, visit
NewportBeachFilmFest.com.
12
RAGE monthly | APRIL 2011
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