“ We actually are celebrating the marriage of film and fashion and we have some amazing free opportunities for people to come to Fashion Island ,” Quartararo says . “… There ’ s so much synergy with fashion and film and so we ’ re going to have some amazing Oscar-winning costume designers , we ’ re going to have some noted authors doing book signings and conversations and some costume displays from some of the top fall films .”
Among the fashion elements are a display , which will highlight pieces by Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood , and a book signing with Stassi Schroeder of TV show “ Vanderpump Rules .” The festival is also adding an Automotive Short Film Competition in partnership with Ant Anstead , an expert in the automotive space who has written , produced and directed content that inspires fellow enthusiasts ; he is perhaps best known for hosting over 25 TV shows including Discovery Channel ’ s “ Wheeler Dealers ” as well as “ Celebrity IOU : Joyride ” and “ Radford Returns ,” both on Discovery +. On Oct . 18 , the festival will showcase 10 films in this category plus a Q & A at Lido Theater .
“ Ant ’ s a legend here in Orange County and really throughout the world ,” Quartararo says . “ His passion and focus is automotive , obviously . We had been talking for some time about how we could work together on a project and this was really Ant ’ s dream to be able to work with the Newport Beach Film Festival , celebrate creativity and his love for automobiles .
“ And so we have a collection of leading edge automotive focused short films and Ant has put together an incredible lineup of jurors that will review and we will share all of these films . And the jurors will share , there on the spot , the winner that night .”
Quartararo notes that the automotive films may range from animation to narratives to stories about road trips . “ Anything you can imagine as long as it celebrates the love of driving ,” he says . “ It ’ s meant to cast a wide net . We ’ ve been just thrilled by what ’ s been pouring in from the
In addition to screenings , the Newport Beach Film Festival includes parties , panel discussions and special events with actors , filmmakers and others involved in the movie industry .
filmmaking and automotive community .”
The festival will also host a Cinematographers Day , which is free to the public , on Oct . 19 . “ These are the men and women behind the camera who create and craft the look of the film ,” Schwenk says . The day will be dedicated to discussion and interaction with leading and up-and-coming cinematographers including “ a legendary cinematographer , who can talk about all of the work that they have done on nature films — it ’ s a very special opportunity ,” Schewnk says .
In addition to special events , screenings range from feature films to documentaries , shorts , movies about action sports , arts and architecture , the culinary world and environmental issues , so there ’ s bound to be a piece of cinema that fits your interests . Quartararo says his favorite is the youth category for age 18 and under . “ It is remarkable to see
these young filmmakers that really haven ’ t had any sort of inhibitions on how to do things ,” he says . “ They ’ re just so freeform and free thinking . Some of the films we get submitted are just spectacular and groundbreaking . And to see them fly into town with their families and see their film play on the big screen at the Newport Beach Film Festival , it ’ s so heartwarming .”
Each year , the festival also partners with more than 40 local nonprofits , pairing each with a film that aligns with its mission and providing the organization a place to present its message to large audiences .
And that ’ s really the root of the festival ’ s focus , to present films and events for the local community to enjoy and participate in . At the same time , it ’ s all about celebrating great movies — so grab a ticket , find your seat and don ’ t forget the popcorn . NBM
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