News Summary
The Newport Beach Film Festival, running from October 16 to 23, will feature over 100 feature films and 250 shorts from 32 countries. Highlights include the opening film ‘Blue Moon’ and a special presentation of ‘Frankenstein’ alongside anticipated centerpieces like ‘Hedda’ and ‘Knives Out Mystery.’ With an expected attendance of around 50,000, this year’s festival promises engaging events, including author conversations and after-parties, maintaining its status as a significant cultural event in Southern California.
Newport Beach
The 26th annual Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) is set to light up the city from October 16 to October 23, offering film enthusiasts a diverse lineup of entertainment. This year, the festival will showcase over 100 feature films and 250 shorts from 32 countries, promising a rich experience for cinephiles.
Kicking off the festival will be the opening film “Blue Moon”, a drama centered around lyricist Lorenz Hart, which stars renowned actors Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, and Bobby Cannavale. The screening is scheduled at Regal Edwards Big Newport on October 16. Closing out the week will be a special presentation of Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” on October 23, featuring Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Oscar Isaac.
Festival Highlights
This year’s festival includes several highly anticipated centerpiece films, which are believed to be contenders for various awards. Notable titles in this category include Nia DaCosta’s “Hedda”, Richard Linklater’s “Nouvelle Vague”, and Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”. The festival will also shine a spotlight on international cinema with 16 foreign films from diverse countries such as Italy, Japan, France, and Mexico.
Documentary lovers can look forward to “Bob Gurr: Living By Design”, which chronicles the life of Disney legend Bob Gurr. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in special events organized in collaboration with Fashion Island and StyleWeekOC.
Engaging Events and Author Conversations
On October 18, a unique event will take place as authors Sophie Ansari, Penn Badgley, and Nava Kavelin host a conversation and signing for their new book “Crushmore: Essays on Love, Loss, and Coming-of-Age”. Following the day’s festivities, an after-party will be held at Fashion Island, featuring live entertainment, food tastings, and specialty cocktails.
Festival organizers are projecting an attendance of around 50,000 visitors over the course of the week, reflecting the event’s popularity and significance. Tickets for the festival are now available for purchase online at the NBFF website.
Director’s Vision
Festival director Gregg Schwenk expressed enthusiasm about presenting a dynamic variety of films to the audience. The Newport Beach Film Festival has garnered a reputation for its quintessential opening galas, vibrant after-parties, and glamorous closing ceremonies, enhancing the overall festive atmosphere.
Context and Tradition
The Newport Beach Film Festival has become a cornerstone of the film calendar in Southern California, celebrated for drawing both local and international filmmakers, as well as cinephiles from various regions. The festival boasts a tradition of showcasing an impressive range of films that have historically gone on to be significant contenders in upcoming award seasons.
This year’s festival continues to embrace the blend of local and international cinema, reflecting the vibrant film culture that exists in Southern California, ensuring it remains a must-visit event for film lovers.
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Additional Resources
- Variety: Newport Beach Film Festival 2025 Full Lineup
- Los Angeles Times: Newport Beach Film Festival
- Orange County Register: Dunn Surf Documentary Featured at Newport Beach Film Festival
- Wikipedia: General Information
- Encyclopedia Britannica: General Information
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
