Revived film festival to debut in March

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The newly revived film festival announced plans to host

its first cinematic effort starting on March 30.

“Everything is going well,” said spokesman Todd Quartararo. “It looks

like all the pieces of the puzzle are falling together. Everybody is

really looking toward the future.”

In addition to a target start date, Quartararo said next week the Newport

Beach Film Festival will officially move into an office, have a working

Web site and a phone number.

With less than five months to organize, the festival is looking for

volunteers. Interested residents should write to Leslie Holland at the

festival’s new address.

The only missing piece of the puzzle is Jeffrey S. Conner, who organized

the original Newport International Film Festival that unexpectedly went

bankrupt on Sept. 1. For four years, the festival appeared to be growing

and gaining in popularity until it was revealed that Conner had racked up

thousands of dollars in unpaid legal judgments, lawyers fees and

festival-related expenses.

Soon after the bankruptcy announcement, however, members of the Newport

Beach community gathered to organize a new, smaller festival.

“A lot of interested, well-meaning, capable people have come together for

this event,” said board member Rosalind Williams.

FYI

WHAT: Volunteers for the Newport Beach Film Festival.

CONTACT: Leslie Holland, 4540 Campus Drive, Suite 100, Newport Beach.