Has film festival shown its final credits?

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The story of the Newport Beach International Film

Festival bankruptcy has all the makings of a cinematic mystery

itself.

Seemingly successful, after four years of increasing entries and

attendance, the annual event’s reported demise has baffled many in the

city.

“I’m sorry to hear about the current state of affairs,” said Todd

Quartararo, former publicist for the festival, who just heard the news

from a Daily Pilot editor.

Jeffrey S. Conner, festival co-founder, reportedly filed Chapter 7

bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Santa Ana two weeks ago. Conner

could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

But the question on everyone’s lips is, “What happened?”

This March’s film entries totaled to more than 100 out of 550 films

from 30 countries. And attendance swelled to more than 15,000 people.

After four years running, many believed the event was on its way to

establishing itself as a major Newport attraction.

However, the festival did have its share of glitches along the way.

Celebrities who were scheduled to appear at film screenings often

canceled at the last minute, several filmmakers complained of sound and

picture problems and some of the festival’s planned activities fell

through.

Although some have assumed that the bankruptcy was the simple result

of operating costs exceeding profits, it has been suggested by some in

the community that this could have been averted had the city provided

more funding. Many of the successful independent film festivals get a

significant amount of financial backing from their host cities.

Dave Kiff, assistant to the city manager, said the city’s modest

support of the festival was not unusual because the council typically

doesn’t fund art functions not sponsored by the city.

“It was the conscious choice of the council to focus its priorities on

other areas,” Kiff said. Even so, council members were shocked to hear

the news.

“I was a supporter of the film festival,” said Mayor Dennis O’Neil.

“It attracted visitors to our city and was a very worthwhile event. I

looked forward to it each year.” But Quartararo said he is still

holding out hope that the financial challenges will be resolved “for the

community’s sake.”

“I understand the festival management faced some extraordinary

challenges in recent years,” he said. “However, the demand for an

international film festival in Orange County certainly exists.”