Bobby Cannavale (Ezra) will be honored with the Artist of Distinction Award and Margaret Qualley (The Substance) will be honored with the Spotlight Award at the 25th Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF). Both Cannavale and Qualley will be honored at the Festival’s annual Awards brunch taking place on Sunday, October 20.
They will be recognized alongside previously announced honorees Nicolas Cage (Icon Award), Joan Chen (Career Achievement Award), Colman Domingo (Maverick Award), Marianne-Jean Baptiste (Artist of Distinction), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Artist of Distinction), George MacKay (Spotlight Award), June Squibb (Lifetime Achievement Award) and Diane Warren (Lifetime Achievement in Music).
In addition, the Festival will honor actress Kiernan Shipka with the Artist of Distinction Award at the newly added screening of “The Last Showgirl.” The film follows a seasoned showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. The film also stars Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, and Billie Lourd. Director Gia Coppola and writer Kate Gersten will be in attendance and participate in a Q&A with Skipka following the screening.
The Festival will also host a special screening of “Inside Out 2,” and following the screening, the Festival will honor co- screen writers Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein with the Artist of Distinction Award – Screenwriting. Holstein will accept the award during a conversation about the film. Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new emotions. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment show up.
Lastly, the Festival announced the panelists for their brand-new Masters of the Frame panel, highlighting the industry’s leading cinematographers. Confirmed cinematographers include Alice Brooks (Wicked) and Lawrence Sher (Joker: Folie à Deux).
The 25th edition of 2024 Newport Beach Film Festival will take place from October 17-24 – highlights include the Opening Night film “Old Guy” and the Closing Night film “A Real Pain.” Centerpiece films include “Blitz,” “Hard Truths,” “Nightbitch,” and “The Piano Lesson.”