Newport Beach Film Festival

Overview

The Newport Beach Film Festival is one of Southern California's most prestigious film festivals. Founded in 2000 and held annually in April and May in Newport Beach, the festival screens over 350 films from more than 50 countries and is Academy Award-qualifying in its short film categories.

The festival has developed a distinctive programming identity through its Pacific Rim section, which presents films from Asia and the Pacific and has become one of the most respected platforms for Asian cinema in Southern California. The Pacific Rim section covers films from Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Newport Beach's wealthy, internationally connected audience and the festival's proximity to Hollywood create unusual commercial opportunities for selected films.

Key Sections

• Feature Film Competition -- international features competing for jury prizes
• Short Film Competition -- Academy Award-qualifying programs
• Pacific Rim -- a focused program of Asian and Pacific cinema
• Documentary Competition -- nonfiction features
• Home Country -- a rotating spotlight on a single country's cinema

What Filmmakers Should Know

Newport Beach accepts open submissions. The Academy Award-qualifying short film competition is the most strategically important element. For Asian and Pacific filmmakers, the Pacific Rim section provides access to Southern California's large Asian American community and the Hollywood industry professionals who attend.

Major Awards

• Best Feature Film -- jury prize
• Best Short Film -- Academy Award-qualifying
• Best Pacific Rim Film
• Audience Award -- across categories

Festival History

Newport Beach Film Festival was founded in 2000 and has grown into one of Southern California's most comprehensive film events.

See Also

For Southern California film culture, see Film Locations. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.