EDITORIAL

It’s back.

And it really is better than ever. At least that’s what Newport Beach

Film Festival organizers are hoping as the resurrected event kicks off

today.

For the next eight days, Newport Beach will transform itself into

California’s version of Park City, Utah, with scores of independent

films, parties, tributes and seminars on the fascinating movie-making

industry.

It’s an annual treat we’ve all gotten used to, having been lucky

enough to have a film festival for the past four years.

As recently as October, no one was sure if this year’s festival would

happen. The founder of the former Newport Beach International Film

Festival, Jeffrey S. Conner, filed for bankruptcy and then vanished from

the scene, without so much as an explanation for his event’s downward

spiral.

Just when we thought this beloved little festival would never again

grace our shores, an optimistic and hard-working team of local business

leaders stepped in and pulled the former event from the ashes, recreating

it in a way that we believe will be successful.

First of all, every film will be shown in Newport Beach, which will

keep the identity of the event here. In past years, movies were shown in

small theaters throughout Orange County, which caused both confusion and

in many cases technical problems. Secondly, the festival is only eight

days as opposed to two full weeks. While the result may be fewer film

showings, it will also be a more manageable structure.

And another positive addition to the new festival is a series of

technical workshops, which will be held Saturday and Sunday at the

Newport Beach Public Library.

Called the “Collaborative Art of Filmmaking,” the seminars will focus

on the movie-making process, from writing a screenplay to animation

techniques. This innovative program will allow would-be filmmakers who

get inspired by the independent works to learn more about the craft

itself.

But regardless of how much blood, sweat and tears the new organizers

have put in, a cultural event such as the film festival depends heavily

on support from the community.

They have worked hard to to bring us a festival we can be proud of.

Let’s show our pride by taking part in the event.