Posted by: Julian Ayrs on: April 30, 2009
For the past week, I was reporting on the events at the Newport Beach Film Festival, covering the parties, reviewing the films, and interviewing the talent.
Unfortunately, as the week unfolded, I encountered some rude and insulting conduct from Festival Staff (CEO Gregg Schwenk, Saba Shirazi, and a coordinator by the name of “Norma”) which upset [...]
Posted by: Julian Ayrs on: April 30, 2009
Kooky mentally-ill Saba Shirazi
(left)
Earlier today, I penned a post about a number of problems that have arisen at the Festival grounds in Newport Beach, and proceeded to publish the article to my blog this morning.
Shortly thereafter, a PR woman – by the name of Saba Shirazi – appeared at my side at the computer [...]
Posted by: Julian Ayrs on: April 29, 2009
CEO Gregg Schwenk
(left)
“The thing I noticed about an audience like a Newport audience is they’re enthusiastic about film in general. They’re astute and curious. They want to know about process,” Executive Director & CEO Gregg Schwenk asserted to a local publication prior to the opening of the Newport Beach Film Festival.
It’s too bad he [...]
Posted by: Julian Ayrs on: April 29, 2009
Now and then when I am on my treks around the Festival circuit, I happen across a Canadian filmmaker or two – down from the great white north – flogging their films in the U.S. Market.
Just this past week, when one short (My Inventions) screened, I was delighted to learn that the director was not [...]
Posted by: Julian Ayrs on: April 28, 2009
Treeless Mountain
Last year, I covered the Asian Pacific Film Festival and it was one of the highlights of the season.
For this reason, I am looking forward to attending the opening night gala on April 30th (Thursday) at the Director’s Guild.
The eclectic round of offerings this year include the well-crafted – “Children of Invention” – which [...]
Posted by: Julian Ayrs on: April 28, 2009
The screening of “The Perfect Age of Rock ‘N’ Roll” was delayed by about forty-five minutes on Saturday because so many films buffs were trying to squeeze their way into the world premiere which was being touted as the “hot” ticket of the night.
Even still, some discerning guests were reticent about taking front-row seats because [...]
Posted by: Julian Ayrs on: April 27, 2009
Normally, short film programs attract small turn-outs at festivals, but at this year’s Newport Beach Fest the week-end screening rooms were packed with enthusiastic fans of the genre, fortunately for the filmmakers.
In fact, Newport went all-out and programmed a series of themed shorts (which I mentioned in an earlier post) which – for the most [...]
Posted by: Julian Ayrs on: April 26, 2009
Marc Shaiman didn’t need any props or gimmicks to win over a rapt audience who hung on every note, hilarious joke, and side-splitting anecdote that he offered up at what was touted as an intimate evening of film & fun set to music at a special gala event at the Newport Beach [...]
Posted by: Julian Ayrs on: April 26, 2009
When Bai Ling – dazzling star of “Dim Sum Funeral” (which screened at the Festival last night as a centerpiece film) sashayed into the after-party at the Sports Club – the paparazzi went into a wild frenzy!
Within minutes, the stunning actress – dressed-to-the-nines in a chic Royal Blue cocktail dress with beaded accents one one [...]
Posted by: Julian Ayrs on: April 26, 2009
This morning as I waited for the Newport Beach Film Festival lounge to swing open its doors, I popped into McDonald’s for a morning snack and piping hot cup of java.
Imagine that!
The upscale fast-food outlet in this tony neighborhood actually has an expensive wide-screen flat TV installed so guests may take in a morning news [...]
