Thursday, October 13, kicks off the start of the eight-day Newport Beach Film Festival. The festival’s opening night gala features the Toronto International Film Festival darling, WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story starring Daniel Radcliffe, Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson, Toby Huss, Julianne Nicholson, and Quinta Brunson. WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story (2022, United States, 108 minutes) will screen at 7:00 pm at Edwards Big Newport (300 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach). A Roku original film, which is available for streaming on November 4 on The Roku Channel, WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story, is directed by Eric Appel and written by Eric Appel and “Weird Al” Yankovic. Daniel Radcliffe is “Weird Al” Yankovic in the unexaggerated true story about the greatest musician of our time. From a conventional upbringing where playing the accordion was a sin, Al rebelled and made his dream of changing the words to world-renowned songs come true. An instant success and sex symbol, Al lives an excessive lifestyle and pursues an infamous romance that nearly destroys him.
“The Newport Beach Film Festival is thrilled to bookend this year’s edition with two incredible films [WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery] that feature stellar talent and remarkable storytelling. We are proud to bring outstanding global cinema and compelling filmmaker conversations to Southern California. This year’s program is the strongest in our 23-year history,” stated Gregg Schwenk, CEO/Executive Director of NBFF.
Known for its elaborate parties, following the premiere, attendees will experience the Festival’s renowned Opening Night Gala at Fashion Island and enjoy signature tastings from more than two dozen of the area’s top restaurants, along with a hosted bar sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In addition, guests will enjoy a special sneak peek performance from the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical Winner of 10 Tony Awards® including Best Musical.
Continuing the tradition set over the past several years, films will screen at four Orange County venues: THE LOT at Fashion Island (Newport Beach), Edwards Big Newport (Newport Beach), New Port Theater (Corona del Mar), and Starlight Triangle Cinemas (Costa Mesa). The festival will be in-person and showcase over 350 films worldwide. In addition, the Festival will host nightly special events, awards contenders, and compelling conversations with filmmakers. Festival highlights include Festival Honors celebrating Variety’s ’10 Actors to Watch, a Centerpiece program, International Spotlight events (UK, Ireland, Mexico, France, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Spain, Norway, Canada, Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and China), and Special Programs (Action Sports, Art, Architecture + Design, Cinema on Cinema, Culinary, Environmental, Family and Music Film Series) and curated shorts programs.
Tickets to Opening Night Film and Gala are $225. Tickets to the Closing Night Film and Gala are $145. Events are open to attendees 21 & older.
For Festival tickets, visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com. Images and press kits are available upon request.
