“ I am very proud to call Newport Beach my home and have enjoyed growing up here and starting my own family in the area ,” Schwenk says . “… First and foremost are the amazing people . Many of my friends I ’ ve known since elementary school . I believe this reflects the strong connection that our community has with one another .”

Schwenk ’ s family moved to Newport when he was only 2 months old , but he was actually born in Hollywood , perhaps foreshadowing his later involvement in the movie business . Schwenk ’ s background is in investment banking , focusing on mergers and acquisitions , while also serving as an adjunct faculty member in communications at California State University , Fullerton , for more than two decades .

When Schwenk and Todd Quartararo , who grew

up nearby in Irvine , began planning to launch a film festival in the late 1990s , they immediately thought of Newport .

“[ We ] both felt that Newport Beach was the perfect backdrop for a major cinema event ,” Schwenk says . “ When you add in our location and our proximity to Hollywood , it makes a very strong combination . … Aside from the location and proximity , Newport Beach has incredible resorts , amazing restaurants and , by far , some of the best cinemas in Southern California .”

A passion for film also helped fuel Schwenk ’ s desire to start the local festival .

“ Movies entertain us . That in itself is a very special and , in many ways , a miraculous achievement ,” Schwenk says . “ Beyond that , movies can transport us , can transform us and , for many people , they are the touchstones to key rites of passage . Everyone can remember where they first saw ‘ Star Wars ’ or ‘ The Goonies ’ or ‘ Shrek ’ or ‘ The Princess Bride ’ or ‘ E . T .’ or the many other films which people rate as a personal favorite .”

Schwenk counts among his favorite films classics like “ Citizen Kane ,” “ The Godfather ” and “ The Third Man ” as well as science fiction / fantasy franchises including “ Star Wars ,” “ Avatar ” and “ The Lord of the Rings .”

Over the years , the Newport Beach Film Festival has grown to present over 100 feature films , 30 short film programs and a dozen public parties , attracting 58,000 attendees annually .

“ Both Todd and I are extremely proud of the growth and overall success of the Newport Beach Film Festival ,” Schwenk says . “ This success can directly be attributed to the wonderful members of our community , who , for the last 25 years , have given of their time , treasure and talent to build and grow the festival . We are tremendously excited about our lineup for both films and special events and encourage all members of our community to come out to the Newport Beach Film Festival .”

And , when he ’ s not busy working on the festival , Schwenk can be found at some of these local establishments in the town he calls home .

LEFT : COURTESY OF NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL ; RIGHT : KHOBE PHOTOGRAPHY

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