The Newport Beach Film Festival is having quite the year.

The Festival’s second annual TV Fest in June featured sold-out panels featuring Seth McFarland, Sebastian Maniscalco, Andy Cohen, and the casts of “Landman” and “Shrinking.”

Then last month the Festival launched “The Process Unlocked,” a new SoCal PBS television conversation series hosted by three-time Emmy winner Jenelle Riley at the new Witte Hall in Newport Beach. The first guest of “The Process Unlocked” was four-time Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe.

Now, the Newport Beach Film Festival is ready to debut its 27th edition, taking place October 15-22. Over eight days, the festival will screen more than 300 narrative features, documentaries, action sports, culinary films, and a variety of short subjects.

The Festival’s opening night film on October 15 is “Frampton,” an eye-opening documentary about musician Peter Frampton, who in the 1970s was one of the most popular musicians on the planet. The film documents his rise, fall, and comeback.

Closing the Festival on October 22 is “Behemoth!” starring Pedro Pascal. “Behemoth!” follows Alex Serian (Pascal), a gifted cellist who returns home to Los Angeles after 20 years on the road. Music — the constant, all-consuming river that has carried Alex his entire life — pulls him into an adventure that will change him forever. “Behemoth!” was filmed partly at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

According to Newport Beach Film Festival President and CEO Gregg Schwenk, more than 4,000 films were submitted to the festival this year, requiring thousands of hours of viewing to find the best ones.

In addition to the film screenings, Schwenk said he was excited about the talent attending various screenings, including sax player Dave Koz for the “Smooth World” screening and Kenny Loggins for the “Conviction of the Heart” documentary.

“Then you have things like ‘Sock It to Me: The Legend of George Schlatter,’ a documentary about the creator of ‘Laugh In.’ Lily Tomlin (an original cast member) will be coming to that screening,” said Schwenk.

As they do every year, the opening night party (after the “Frampton” screening) will be at Fashion Island.

“We’ve got I think 30 or 32 of the top restaurants doing signature tasting, with a hosted bar by Tito’s Vodka. It’s an amazing way to kick off the festival,” said Schwenk. “And then we have our different events every night at Time Nightclub, as well as our Irish showcase on Sunday evening, where we have three major premieres and the post-party at Muldoons Irish Pub.”

Among the International Spotlight films are selections from 16 countries including Poland, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Sweden, New Zealand, and many others.

“We have a gigantic delegation coming over from Ireland, and a large delegation coming from Poland this year for the first time,” noted Schwenk. “And a delegation coming in from South Korea, a group coming from Australia and New Zealand. We’ve got groups coming in from all over.”

Schwenk also said he’s impressed with the talent coming out for many of the documentary screenings.

“So one of the things I really play up is ‘Couture to the Max,’ a story about this designer, Max Alexander, and showing his preparation for a runway show. He’s considered one of the top young designers out there. What’s remarkable? He’s nine years old. He has a deep following out there. He’s a nine-year-old prodigy.”

There are also documentaries on Armani, Carl Sagan, Junipero Serra, and many others.

“The vast majority of the films at the Film Festival have someone associated with them coming out, and I would say this year more than ever we are getting this cast member, that person, and people who are not only cast members, but people in the industry who are excited about seeing the film, so they’re coming out,” said Schwenk. “The guest list I’m seeing is almost as impressive as the talent list for the films.”

With so many films in the Festival, Schwenk said they are utilizing more theaters than ever.

“We’re using The Lot, we’re using Big Newport, we’re using the Triangle and the Lido, and we’re also going to be using the University Town Center Irvine,” said Schwenk. “We want to bring the festival to the audience and really be able to engage with the students from UCI.”

As Schwenk pointed out, the Newport Beach Film Festival is for everyone to enjoy.

“It is produced by the community for the community. And one of the things we try to stress to everyone is that anyone can buy a ticket. Anyone can come out and feel like a VIP at the Newport Beach Film Festival. And we want people to come out, see a film, participate in the Q and A, ask a question, and then if you want to come to the post-party, that’s the other great thing. At so many film festivals, you’ve got to be ‘on the list.’ But for 95 percent of the things here at the Newport Beach Film Festival, it’s all about just buying a ticket and enjoying our community and our celebration of cinema.”

“Everybody has such a nice time—it’s such a positive environment,” added Schwenk. “We worked very hard to try and find films that were uplifting. Films that talk about solutions and talk about pathways to making things better, because there’s a lot of negativity out there. We really wanted to make this a positive experience. We’re excited for people to see the festival and all the films we have.”

Visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com. for the complete Festival schedule.

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Some of the best professional men’s and women’s beach volleyball players in the world return to Newport Beach Pier October 17 and 18 for the fourth annual Hoag Newport Beach 4-Man Volleyball Invitational, a two-day celebration of elite competition, entertainment and the Newport Beach lifestyle.

The field includes world No. 1 women’s team Kristen Cruz and Taryn Brasher, AVP legend Phil Dalhausser in his final competitive season, and beach volleyball stars and brothers Taylor and Trevor Crabb.

The Championship features separate men’s and women’s 4-man competitions, bringing together Olympians, champions and many of beach volleyball’s biggest personalities to compete for a combined $200,000 prize purse.

The 4-man format delivers a distinctly different experience from traditional two-person beach volleyball. With more elite athletes on the court, fans see longer rallies, spectacular defensive plays, more action and interaction between teammates. The format also brings out the athletes’ personalities, creating a fast, social, energetic, and fun competition to watch.

“What makes this weekend special is bringing some of the best men and women in beach volleyball together in a format that is incredibly entertaining,” said Kevin Martin, co-founder of Eagle Four Partners, one of the event presenters. “Four-man means more athletes, more action and more personality. Combine that with Newport Beach Pier, music, hospitality and thousands of people enjoying the beach, and it becomes much more than a volleyball tournament. It’s a great Newport Beach weekend.”

Saturday will feature a new 4-Man Qualifier, with men’s and women’s teams competing for the final positions in Sunday’s Main Draw. Sunday culminates with the men’s and women’s championship matches and the crowning of the 2026 champions.

Founded in 2023 by Eagle Four Partners and AVP Hall of Famer Steve “OB” Obradovich, the event has quickly become a Newport Beach tradition, combining world-class volleyball with the social atmosphere of the beach, Newport Pier and the surrounding restaurants and bars.

Fans can watch for free from the sand, in grandstand seating, or choose upgraded experiences, including the VIP Fun Zone, featuring premium views of both courts, a private, shaded bar area, beverage sampling and vendor experiences, and VIP Sand Suites, offering sofa-style courtside seating.

Hoag Hospital serves as title sponsor, with Eagle Four Partners and Balboa Fun Zone presenting the Championship. Additional partners include Visit Newport Beach, Stag Bar, Blackie’s By The Sea, Dory Deli, and Super Panga, among others.

The Championship benefits the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting youth sports opportunities for at-risk children throughout Orange County.

General admission from the sand is free. VIP tickets, premium seating, and hotel packages are available now at www.nbvolleyball.com/tickets.

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With over 300 films (many of them short subjects) in the 2026 Newport Beach Film Festival, it’s impossible to watch them all over the eight days of the Festival, which runs October 15-22. Here are a few that stand out.

Featuring The Houston Ballet, “The Body is Water” is premiering at the Newport Beach International Film Festival on Sunday, October 18 as the centerpiece film in their Irish Spotlight series. The film’s stellar cast, including Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Derry Girls), Allen Leech (Downton Abbey), along with The Houston Ballet’s Julie Kent and Eric Best (both appearing in the film), and director Vicky Wight, will be in attendance for Q&A. The festival is also offering all ticket holders a traditional Irish music session at Muldoon’s Pub following the film. The Body is Water, which is set in Ireland and Texas, has its premiere while the Houston Ballet is at Segerstrom Center, which is why the dancers who worked on the film can attend the screening.

“Sydney Cash Makes Too Much Art” (Executive Produced by Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody), makes its West Coast premiere October 20 and 22. Sydney Cash is an 80-year-old artist who can’t stop making art. When space runs out and time grows short, his family faces an urgent decision about the fate of his life’s work. Turning the camera on his father’s artistic legacy, a son confronts the impact that a lifetime of compulsive creating had on their family.

“Sock It To Me: The Legend of George Schlatter” premieres at the Newport Beach Film Festival on October 17). The film features legendary producer George Schlatter, 96, who reflects on a lifetime of groundbreaking television, from the iconic “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” to “Real People” and the creative revolution that followed. The film includes a fantastic ensemble of artists and cultural figures that contributed to the documentary, including Goldie Hawn, Tom Hanks, Lily Tomlin, Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Lionel Richie, Berry Gordy, Clive Davis, Jo Anne Worley and many others. The film is directed by Chris Coronado.

“As Far Back As I Can Remember…The Story of Goodfellas” has its World Premiere on October 17. Thirty-six years after Goodfellas changed cinema forever, “As Far Back As I Can Remember…The Story of Goodfellas” is the first feature documentary dedicated to Martin Scorsese’s landmark masterpiece. Directed and produced by Lisa Downs and Ashley Pugh, the documentary takes audiences behind the scenes of one of the most influential films ever made, exploring the extraordinary true story that inspired it and the people who brought it to life, including never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes video and photo archive featuring Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci.

“Emerging From the Shadows: Rediscovering the Legacies of Weinberg & Korngold” screens on October 18. Directed by Veronika Emily Pohl and produced by Bernhard Fleischer (BFMI), the film follows the supremely gifted and versatile cellist Kristina Reiko Cooper and four-time GRAMMY-nominated conductor and chief conductor of the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra Constantine Orbelian as they record works by two 20th-century Jewish composers of profound artistry.

Both composers were forced to flee from the Nazis during World War II. Weinberg’s entire family was murdered in the camps; he escaped Warsaw and established himself in Moscow under the Soviet regime, while Korngold fled Vienna to pursue life as a film score composer in Hollywood. Neither ever returned home.

“Child of the Rouge,” a short film directed by Taz F. Stark, screens on October 7 and 21 at The Lot. The film recounts the harrowing story of a young girl’s entry into the world on April 17, 1975—the day the Khmer Rouge seized Phnom Penh. The film is Academy Award-qualifying and is currently campaigning this awards season.

“Blow the Horn,” which premieres on October 20, is a film about three couples who are summoned by their psychologist on a Saturday for what they believe is an individual session. Upon arriving at an industrial artist’s studio, they realize that the therapist is a no-show and has instead left a letter and eight envelopes for the couples to conduct their own group therapy session, inviting each pair to reveal their darkest secrets to one another.

“Handle With Care,” a romantic dramedy starring Justin H. Min (“The Umbrella Academy”) and Nicole Brydon Bloom, screens October 16 and 19. The film premiered at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in August, where it won Best Feature and Best Actor. Handle With Care follows Cole, who in the wake of a year-long marriage, is going through a divorce. His life in tatters is further complicated when his lawyer informs him that the unopened wedding gifts they’d stashed in a storage unit are technically “joint assets” that Cole must return or sell online. What begins as an arduous chore leads Cole to unexpected corners of New York City. Each step of the way, Cole learns about his own shortcomings, life, love, and finds unexpected kindness with strangers.

“Wake on Sunday,” which screens October 18, features Cole Sprouse, Penelope Ann Miller, Chris Parnell, Nelson Franklin, Riki Lindhome, Michael Learned, Ali Astin, Willow Shields, Kelly O’Malley, and Ali Gallo, and is directed by Devon Michaels. On the day of their father’s wake, four semi-estranged siblings reunite to navigate their loss amid clashing relatives, awkward guests, botched funeral arrangements, and their wildly different ways of grieving. As a series of mishaps unfold, Rose, Cassie, Becca, and Cade struggle to make it through a day no one is prepared for.

“Stern Fever” has its U.S. Premiere on October 18. Once a closely guarded secret on Tasmania’s rugged southern coast, Shipstern Bluff became an iconic big wave surfing location, capturing worldwide attention in the early 2000’s. As surfers pushed the limits of what was possible, cameras arrived, and the secret was exposed. “Stern Fever” traces the evolution, obsession, and consequences of chasing one of the world’s most dangerous waves.

For show times and ticket info, visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com.

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By Aya El-Djoundi | Special to the NB Indy

Life is a passing moment. We are all passing moments. We live through life’s moments.

I like to think of us as passing moments who bring something unique and special to the scene. Then suddenly everything becomes a memory. We obviously know this, but how often do we stop and really think about it? People are moments passing by, but they leave us with fuller hearts.

“There’s A Hole In My Bucket” is a documentary film that follows Royd Tolkien, the great-grandson of J. R. R. Tolkien (“Lord of the Rings” author), as he completes a bucket list of things to do left to him by his brother, Mike, who died from Motor Neuron Disease (ALS).

Royd is comfort-bound (risk-averse) and likes to play it safe. His brother Mike, however, leaves him with an adventurous bucket list of 50 challenges he never agreed to and cannot refuse.

We go along with Royd as he takes on his journey through New Zealand. We are carried through a process of human growth, adventure and bonding. This film isn’t just about a man accomplishing the items on a bucket list; it’s about life. It represents what it feels like to go through human experience: love, loss, grief, happiness, anger, ambition, fear. All of it.

Royd lost his brother to ALS, a condition that slowly kills off the nerves in your body until you can’t move, breathe, eat, or talk. Royd described it as essentially being trapped in your own body. According to Royd, his brother Mike was an adventurous soul, someone who loved talking and being active. It is hard to see someone you love go through something like ALS. ALS isn’t talked about enough, and the hardships it leaves behind for the people affected by it.

The new adventure Royd went on not only brought him closer to his brother, it also taught him new things about himself. It pushed him and made him a stronger human being. It is that magical thing life does, the power a person holds, no matter where they are, the moments they create for you to experience. Not only were these adventures for Mike and Royd, but they were also lessons for the people involved. Every adventure is a message to the people around Royd, a message to spread awareness. Every scene, every reaction, it was moving because it’s authentic and vulnerable.

One of my favorite thoughts I had while watching this film was when Royd wore Mike’s hat in Fiordland when he went fishing. It was one of the many ways he felt his brother with him. It gets me to think of how life creates meaning in the spaces in between that we don’t always think about. One day, that hat was on a shelf in a random store. Then a man buys it. That man is Mike. Mike passes and then Royd is left with that hat that once meant nothing to anyone that became one of Mike’s belongings and now means everything to Royd.

These are the beautiful spaces in between that create meaning, without meaning much in the moments they begin.

This film is a reminder of the beautiful gift life is, and we shouldn’t take it for granted. I know we hear these words a lot, and sometimes we get tired of this cliche, but it is the truest thing ever. Because in these moments, when we find ourselves seated in our thoughts about the world, we gain a deeper realization that nothing lasts.

I strongly feel that anyone who comes across this film will feel a greater appreciation for life, and it serves as a reminder to do things you love with the people you love. We are not immune to the hardships that life throws at us.

“Don’t have a bucket list… Just do it now.”

Do not wait. One of the hardest things about being a human being on this Earth is being scared. We often find ourselves missing out on what’s right in front of us because we’re too scared to even look up. Why does it take the deepest, unfortunate circumstances to make us realize that? Why can’t we just enjoy being human beings?

Royd and Mike are the definition of life’s magic. They are proof that the adventure is never over. It’s never too late to say I love you, and it’s never too late to open the next chapter.

Don’t wait until the last minute to check off the bucket list; start now, and encourage the people you have to start it with you. We’re all here, in this moment right now. There’s a difference between being in it and actually living in it. Go live it.

“There’s A Hole In My Bucket” screens October 21 and 22. For tickets, visit NewportBeachFilmFest.com.

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By Faith Luevanos | Special to the NB Indy

From director Šimon Holý comes “Chica Checa,” a heartwarming film that steals the show at the 2026 Newport Beach Film Festival.

The film follows Zdena, a widow who lives a quiet, solitary life in a small Czech village. When her son Lukas returns from his life in Paris to visit his dying grandmother, he reveals his sexuality to his mother, forcing Zdena to confront the limitations of the small-town values that she has built her life around. As she begins to see the world through her son’s eyes, she reluctantly discovers that it is never too late to start your life over again.

Audiences are introduced to Chica Checa, or “Czech Girl,” the drag-queen alter ego of Lukas, who ultimately becomes the vehicle that propels both characters’ lives forward. Through Chica Checa, Lukas introduces his mother to a world she had always dreamt of seeing.

Though the pace of the film remained steady, it’s nearly impossible not to sympathize with Zdena from the very beginning. As she repeatedly convinces herself that she’s content with being alone, her subtle desire for connection is constantly challenged by the easier option of shutting people out.

As Lukas’ determination to open his mother’s mind to a world beyond her village grows stronger, their relationship becomes the emotional foundation of the film. Their story beautifully explores themes of love, grief, acceptance, and letting go of things beyond our control.

Misunderstandings create brief rifts, but the love and care these two characters have for each other are the first steps on their mutual road to healing.

The film is incredibly rich in symbolism and wears its heart on its sleeve in a way that feels refreshing and authentic. Reinvention and rebirth remain at the core of the film as relationships, identities, and beliefs reach their natural life cycle before transforming into something new.

Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, ‘Chica Checa’ reminds us that becoming someone new doesn’t mean we lose who we were; it means finally allowing ourselves the freedom to grow.

‘Chica Checa’ premieres at Newport Beach Film Festival on Saturday, Oct. 17. For tickets, visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com.

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By Sandra M. Borges | Special to the NB Indy

“I’m interested in ordinary people, doing extraordinary things,” said Yaniv Rokah, director of “Follow Me,” which screens October 18 and 20 at the Newport Beach Film Festival

The feature documentary offers an inside look into Gidon Lev’s life as a Holocaust survivor and his work raising Holocaust awareness on social media.

At 91 years old, Lev is a self-described “rascal” who has turned his story of past suffering into a source of hope.

The documentary “Follow Me” aims to spark viewers’ interest in an extraordinary man rather than provide all the answers about Lev’s journey, sharing his story with audiences at a time when Holocaust education is diminishing.

“You can’t tell people how to think. You can show them, you can inspire them,” said Rokah, and surely that is reflected across “Follow Me.”

The documentary takes a natural approach to what would otherwise have been a heavy-hearted load, if not for Rokah’s authenticity.

The documentary captures the sensitivity that Lev and Julie Gray, Lev’s longtime partner, bring to raising Holocaust awareness among millions on social media platforms. It’s a slippery slope that subjected Lev to antisemitism and Holocaust denial from the digital era, confronting him with hatred he thought he had long escaped.

But when hate reveals itself, it only further underscores the need for advocacy.

The shift in online perception anchored Lev’s commitment to spreading awareness, further awareness, including through his book “Let’s Make Things Better.”

“Don’t give up, don’t give in,” said Rokah. Lev’s journey is one of resilience across a life with many chapters, as a taxi driver and a flower delivery person. He began looking back after his second wife’s passing.

With the grace of a second act, Lev lost 26 family members in the Holocaust but gained 16 grandchildren in the course of his life. The documentary explores the complexities of his familial structure with his children, as well as what it means to rebuild a family after the Holocaust.

He is taking his activism to new heights, as he was invited to speak at the United Nations in January 2027 for International Holocaust Remembrance Day, according to Rokah.

The documentary also features Lev’s emotional reunion with a childhood drawing from his time surviving in Theresienstadt, as well as exclusive interviews with Sharon Stone, Montana Tucker, and Andy Cohen, and a preview of Lev’s lighthearted dance moves that keep him youthful.

“The film aims to show him as he is, without preaching or making a political statement,” said Rokah.

“Follow Me” is a must-watch at the Newport Beach Film Festival, where audiences will walk away taking a note from Gidon Lev’s positivity.

Tickets are available at www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com.

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By Camden Tucker | Special to the NB Indy

Christy Wegner’s feature documentary “All American Girls” tells the story of how American Girl creator Pleasant Rowland’s brand centered around messages of empowerment and encouraging girls to voice their opinions, later exploding into a phenomenon that has shaped the lives of generations of Americans, from the 80s to the early 2000s.

As someone who grew up lucky enough to have an American Girl Doll, I was immediately drawn to this documentary. From the colorful, eye-catching editing and inclusion of stop motion, an art form that feels nostalgic due to its interconnectedness within the American Girl Doll community, to the detailed history of the dolls and the brains behind their creation, “All American Girls” speaks to audiences worldwide, delivering a powerful message of inclusion – women and girls shouldn’t be afraid to take up space.

The interview testimonies from longtime American Doll lovers provide an inside look at how the brand has personally impacted individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The film also shows us how this change in perspective came about during a time when women didn’t often hold high positions in the workplace, a shift that became possible when Rowland pushed open the door.

“All American Girls” marks the only time that Rowland has granted rights to her story, sharing a rare behind-the-scenes look at popular characters she created, and insights into how she brought the iconic brand to life.

The film shares the highs and lows Rowland faced, from pushback from men who didn’t believe in her vision to the legacy American Girl will forever hold.

It’s not every day that audiences get such a close look at stories from such a familiar brand. This is a film you do not want to miss.

“All American Girls” screens on October 18 and 21. For tickets to the Newport Beach Film Festival, visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com.

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The documentaries that focus on music run the gamut from smooth jazz to rock and roll to an intimate look at a musical songstress.

“Smooth World,” which has its World Premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival, is described as an exploration of the critically loathed world of Smooth Jazz that has evolved into a joy-filled paradise for senior citizens. Facing extinction, its artists and fans band together to find a new leader who can save the Smooth World.

Personally, I think limiting the genre to senior citizens is, well, limiting. I love Coltrane and Brubeck, but smooth jazz is just as creative and just as valid as jazz but may actually have more fans who appreciate the soothing stylings of people like sax player Dave Koz, who is the focal point of this documentary.

Koz, by the way, played a sold-out concert with his Summer Horns last June in Newport Beach.

“I have heard all the jokes, I’ve heard all the stereotypes about smooth jazz: it’s elevator music, music for old people,” states Koz in “Smooth World.” “But what the rest of the world doesn’t know is that our world of smooth jazz is like a hidden gem world.”

The film makes the case that the music is uplifting, even spiritual.

“If I’m having a bad day, it makes me feel like I’m having a great day. It’s extremely therapeutic for me. The whole vibe is let’s have a good time,” said one smooth jazz devotee in the film.

Smooth jazz had its heyday in the 80s and 90s, then stations like 94.7 The Wave in Los Angeles – a popular purveyor of smooth jazz – shifted from that format to more R&B in the early 2010s. Now, there are a few radio stations that play smooth jazz, although Sirius Radio does have its Watercolors channel, a fancy name for Smooth Jazz.

After the screening on Wednesday, Oct. 21, there will be a live Q&A with Director Mickey Duzyj, Dave Koz, Cory Wong, Smooth Jazz Radio DJ Pat Prescott, and Leatrice Allen (superfan).

Other musical films: “Broken English” that traces rock icon Marianne Faithfull’s six-decade journey through music, fame and reinvention in an intimate documentary, blending reality and imagination as she makes her final artistic statement; “Kenny Loggins: Conviction of the Heart,” a look at the multi-platinum, Grammy, Emmy-winning and Oscar and Tony-nominated Songwriter/Recording Artist who spent 50 years reinventing himself over and over (Kenny Loggins and director Dori Bernstein will host a Q&A after the screening); “Otra,” a new-age Latino musical; “Yuja,” a cinematic journey inside pianist Yuja Wang’s personal world that offers an intimate look at the virtuoso pianist as she navigates the pressures of global stardom and personal doubt. The film confronts the intense public scrutiny surrounding her stage fashion, as well as broader experiences with sexism and racism within the classical music industry.

Then there is “Emerging from the Shadows: Rediscovering the Legacies of Weinberg and Korngold,” which asks, “How do artists keep creating even in the darkest of times?”   This documentary uncovers the poignant stories of Mieczyslaw Weinberg and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, two 20th-century composers of profound artistry whose legacy has only recently been rediscovered after being overshadowed in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

After the film, stay for a Q&A with Director/ Writer Veronika Emily Pohl, and Producer/ Talent Kristina Reiko Coooper.

And then there is “Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of The Hollywood Vampires” that screens on the festival’s closing night at the Lido Theatre. The film chronicles the legendary 1970s celebrity drinking club and its modern resurrection as a rock supergroup by Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, and Joe Perry. The documentary explores rock history, brotherhood, and the enduring legacy of late musical icons who lived hard and played harder. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with Director Daniel E. Catullo III and members of the Hollywood Vampires.

Visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com for screening times and ticket information.

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Every year, the Newport Beach Film Festival (October 15-22) hosts a culinary film series featuring a handful of films devoted to various gastronomic topics. This year, the highlight of the five culinary films has a local angle.

“California Roll: The Rise of American Sushi,” a new feature documentary exploring the history of sushi in America, from its post-WWII roots in Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo to its emergence as a globally respected cuisine. The film traces the California Roll’s rise from a culinary workaround for Western palates to a cultural phenomenon, with a pivotal chapter set at California Beach Rock N Sushi, a Newport Beach restaurant that became the after-hours clubhouse for the founders of the surf and skate industry in the mid-to-late 1980s.

The film includes interviews with people who lived through that era, including Danny Kwock, one of the flashiest members of the “Echo Beach” era of punk-infused surf-rock stardom, and Hide Mita, a sushi chef who became the face of California Beach Rock N Sushi.

It’s a fun look back at an era that defined the surf culture and helped promote sushi to the masses.

Other films in the Culinary Series include “Burgundy,” the story of France’s iconic wine area; “Fork in the Road,” an intimate documentary that explores the profound connections between people, the land, and the future of our food system, told through a tapestry of compelling stories from independent small-scale farmers across the United States; “How to Feed a Dictator,” follows five chefs who once cooked for Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Augusto Pinochet, and Kim Jong-il, where one wrong ingredient could mean death – and where the decision to keep cooking meant looking away from everything happening outside the kitchen door; and “Noor: Eating History,” that delves into the creative universe of the restaurant Noor, where Paco Morales and Paola Gualandi reinterpret the legacy of Al-Andalus through haute cuisine.

Visit NewportBeachFilmFest.com for tickets and showtimes.

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The 52nd Candlelight season officially began with Candlelight Kickoff on Thursday, August 6, hosted by co-chair Kate Levering-Jahangiri and her husband, Reza Jahangiri at their stunning Newport Beach home overlooking the Back Bay, with a record-breaking turnout.

The gathering offered guests a celebratory preview of the Center’s annual fundraising gala, set for Friday, December 4.

This spring, Segerstrom Center for the Arts announced board members Kate Levering-Jahangiri and Jaynine Warner as co-chairs of the 52nd Annual Candlelight Concert.  Kicking off this year’s Candlelight season with them at the helm is an exciting moment for the Center. Their leadership, generosity, and passion for the arts will help make the 52nd Candlelight Concert a truly memorable evening while advancing the Center’s mission.

Jaynine Warner shares, “As we celebrate the Center’s 40th Anniversary this September, Katy and I are deeply honored to serve as this year’s co-chairs. We recognize that we are merely just the current stewards of something truly extraordinary. Our responsibility is to honor all those who came before us while carrying the torch of Candlelight’s legacy forward, working to ensure that this remarkable tradition continues to inspire generosity in support the Segerstrom Center.”

Kate Levering-Jahangiri said, “It is a privilege to join Jaynine in leading this iconic event. We are also thrilled to announce our 4th annual Candlelight Master Class. On Thursday, December 3, in the Samueli Theatre, six talented local high school students will have the rare opportunity to perform for an audience and receive direct, personal guidance and mentorship.  As an actress myself, I can’t imagine a more inspiring experience for a young artist.”

One of Orange County’s most cherished philanthropic traditions, this annual event continues to bring together the Center’s most dedicated supporters to raise funds for its educational and community programs. As the Center celebrates its 40th anniversary season, the Candlelight Concert remains both a cornerstone celebration and a meaningful expression of the community’s enduring commitment to the arts, ensuring the Center remains a vibrant cultural home for generations to come.

During the kickoff, guests gathered under French Quarter-inspired streetlamps, a nod to the “Moonlit Bayou” theme of December’s gala, for moving remarks celebrating the Candlelight tradition and showed their support by underwriting special event elements. These generous donations from the Center’s arts advocates play a huge role in making this event the Center’s largest fundraiser year after year, measurably growing arts education and community programming in Orange County.

Live music filled the air with classic New Orleans favorites such as “Iko” and “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans,” as some guests danced and others posed with masquerade masks in a black and white photobooth.

Inventive cuisine was served with a Cajun flair by chefs Christopher Roman and Andrew Miley, of Fork, Knife & Spoon, including lobster po’boys, a Southern-inspired charcuterie with pimento cheese and house pickles, and chicory coffee and chocolate pudding shooters. Drinks included crisp white wines by Jessup Cellars and Handwritten Wines, generously donated by Kelly and Jim Mazzo, and champagne provided by Clé Cachée, the new luxury champagne by Christina Haack who was also in attendance.

Calligrapher Michelle Tieu was onsite engraving candles donated by Voluspa. The event culminated with guests gathered around the family piano for a rousing sing-along, a tradition in the Jahangiri home, illuminating the lively spirit of the evening and the building excitement for this year’s Candlelight Concert and its remarkable legacy of philanthropy and community.

Candlelight Concert is Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ longest-running annual fundraising tradition, bringing together community leaders and arts supporters to raise critical funds for the Center’s nonprofit artistic, educational, and community programs. Now in its 52nd year, Candlelight remains a defining celebration of philanthropy and the power of the arts in Orange County.

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