The Newport Beach Film Festival was founded and originally sponsored by the City of Newport Beach and presents feature films, short films, documentaries, animation films and family-oriented films. Each year the festival hosts several premieres and galas, and guests are offered a rare opportunity to meet the filmmakers. Established in 1999 after the failure of an earlier film festival series in the same location, the festival features independent films from around the world and the United States. Since its beginning, the festival has presented many films that have gone onto big-screen success, including Crash (its 2005 premiere) and The Cove.
Directors, screenwriters and cinematographers who are eager to share information about their work provide an exclusive inside look at the filmmaking industry during the post-screening Q&A session. The Newport Beach Film Festival showcases more than 350 films to more than 50,000 attendees annually.
The festival also began a community outreach, partnering with over 30 nonprofit organizations in Orange County from various sectors including the arts, environment, education and children’s charities. The Newport Beach Film Festival Community Outreach Program provides works with each organization to further its mission through film and also cohost a film screening during the Festival. Each organization is paired with a film that is in theme with their particular charity.
In 2011, the Newport Beach Film Festival was actually held at Triangle Square’s cinemas in Costa Mesa, as the famous Lido Theater in Newport Beach was under renovations. Movie and TV stars in attendance included Peter Fonda (Easy Rider), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels); Emmy and Oscar-winning actors are often seen at the festival.
