Filmakers with local angles

From middle school classrooms in Texas to penguin-covered glaciers in the Antarctic, local filmmakers will take audiences around the globe at this year’s Newport Beach Film Festival, though many of them are happy setting their films right here at home.

When she graduated two years ago from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Phoebe Shackeroff never imagined a childhood acquaintance from the summers she spent at her family’s vacation home on Balboa Island would take center stage in her directorial film debut.

But in three weeks, her 22-minute documentary, “Rupert,” will premiere at the 2007 Newport Beach Film Festival, and the subject matter couldn’t be any more local.

Upon learning that the film’s namesake — the black Australian swan that reigned over the Newport Harbor for two decades — was accidentally killed by a Harbor Patrol boat in September, Shackeroff rushed to put the film together in time for the festival.

“When I realized Rupert was so famous, I thought, ‘Shoot, this would make a great documentary,’ ” she said. “Newport Beach seemed to be the best place to showcase the movie, and what a way to give back to the community and to celebrate Rupert and the end of an era.”

Though the festival has grown tremendously in size and scope since its inception — this year offering more than 400 films from 35 countries — organizers could not be more eager to spotlight the work of locals.

“We are always excited to collaborate with filmmakers, especially those with an Orange County connection,” said founder Gregg Schwenk. “2007 presents a high-water mark for us and O.C. filmmakers, and we are very pleased to be a showcase for their work.”

“Rupert” includes excerpts from more than 40 interviews that shed light on Rupert’s lovable — and sometimes mischievous — ways, as well as footage and animation of the bird. It will screen as part of the festival’s Local Motion Shorts at 3:30 and 5 p.m. on April 24 at Edwards Island Cinemas.

‘SHANGHAI KISS’

As children, Kip and Kern Konwiser first dreamed of show business while perched on the bluffs near their Newport Beach home, and will return to the city to present their latest film, “Shanghai Kiss,” for the festival’s Saturday Night Centerpiece.

Filmed in the United States and China, the comedy/drama/romance follows Chinese-American actor Liam as he travels to Shanghai after inheriting his grandmother’s home, leaving behind a plutonic, but flirtatious relationship with the 16-year-old Adelaide.

Now living in Los Angeles, the Konwisers — also USC graduates — received much acclaim for their 1997 HBO movie, “Miss Evers’ Boys,” starring Alfre Woodard and Laurence Fishburne, which garnered three NAACP Image Awards and five Emmys, including best picture.

“We were so fortunate to be able to choose our own destiny, going on to work together in the capacity we always dreamed of sitting on those bluffs,” said Kip Konwiser, the movie’s executive producer. “It feels really good to bring the film back to Newport.”

The Southern California premiere of “Shanghai Kiss” will screen at 8 p.m. on April 21 at the Regency Lido Theater and again at 9 p.m. on April 24 at Edwards Island Cinemas. Actress Hayden Panettiere and the Konwisers will be present for the April 21 screening.

‘CHASING THE LOTUS’

After 40 years of documenting the evolution of surfing in several films, local filmmakers Greg Weaver — who lives in Costa Mesa and works as a maitre d’ at the Arches — and Spyder Wills will expose some never-before-seen footage in Gregory Schell’s “Chasing the Lotus.”

“This film encompasses more of the hard-core values of surfing than other surf movies,” Weaver said. “I think that culturally, it is probably one of the best documentaries ever made on surfing.”

“Chasing the Lotus,” which won best original score at the X-Dance Film Festival, combines rare Super 8-mm film, photo stills and contemporary interviews with surfers such as Rob Machado, Herbie Fletcher and Stacy Peralta. It will show at 5:30 p.m. on April 21 at the Regency Lido Theater. Filmmakers will be present along with Weaver and Wills.

‘ISLANDS’

For those who may never have the opportunity to venture to the earth’s southernmost continent, Newport Beach resident and boat builder Tony Fleming will share his 19-day journey aboard a Russian ship through the sub-Antarctic islands and those off the Antarctic peninsula.

With the help of his computer, Fleming did all the work on “Islands” himself — including the editing, narration and music — and hopes to share the geographical, biological and historical splendor of the remote region.

“I guess that it was my intent subconsciously to make people feel like they were along on the trip,” he said. “The attraction of going to Antarctica is hard to explain to people. You feel like you’re going to another planet.”

The world premiere of “Islands” is set for 4:30 p.m. on April 25 at Edwards Island Cinemas.

‘BELIEVING IN BAGLADESH’

Newport Beach filmmaker Sarah Weiland is the writer and director behind “Believing in Bangladesh,” a 21-minute documentary that follows eight American and eight Bangladeshi high school students as they switch places to immerse themselves in each others’ cultures.

Making its U.S. premiere at the festival, the film shows how students from very different backgrounds share similar hopes and dreams.

“The important message is that these students are being the change they want to see in the world,” Weiland said. “I hope it will motivate more kids to travel abroad and be more accepting and tolerant of other cultures.”

“Believing in Bangladesh” will screen as part of the festival’s Local Motion Shorts at 3:30 and 5 p.m. on April 24 on the Cox Screen at Edwards Island Cinemas.

‘THE THIRD MONDAY IN OCTOBER’

After earning the audience award and an honorable mention at the 2006 Austin Film Festival, “The Third Monday in October” returns to the hometown of director and producer Alexandra Dickson Gray for two screenings in the festival.

As George W. Bush and John Kerry vied for the presidency in 2004, Dickson Gray and her team followed the presidential elections that were taking place in middle schools across the country, finding that the politics of the simultaneous elections weren’t all that different.

“We really want people to understand that this age group knows what’s going on politically,” she said. “They are ready to weigh in on the issues of the day and are worried about things like the draft and the environment.”

“The Third Monday in October” will screen at 5 p.m. on April 21 at Edwards Island Cinemas and again at 2 p.m. on April 26 at the Regency Lido Theater.

‘DAWN OF THE STONE AGE’

Costa Mesa-based clothing manufacturer Volcom presents “Dawn of the Stone Age,” a 25-minute animated film that follows a colorful cast of characters through space and time, featuring the voices of Volcom-sponsored surfers, including Bruce Irons, Ozzie Wright and Dean Morrison.

It will screen at 5 p.m. on April 24 at Edwards Island Cinemas.

‘THE LAST LINE’

Newport Beach resident Suzanne Kai’s “The Last Line” will bring the atmosphere of the Edwards Big Newport theater to the movie screen at Edwards Island Cinema as the final Local Motion Short, showing at 3:30 and 5 p.m. on April 24.

The 25-minute documentary spotlights the throng of “Star Wars” fans who camped out for several days in anticipation of the final film in the series, ending a tradition that started with the 1977 premiere of “Star Wars.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Newport Beach Film Festival Screenings

WHEN: April 19 through 27

WHERE: Edwards Island Cinemas, 999 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach; and Regency Lido Theater, 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach

COST: $10 to $15

INFO: Filmmakers will be in attendance for question-and-answer sessions after the screenings of the Local Motion Shorts. Call (866) 623-3849 or go to www.newportbeachfilmfest.com for tickets. For more information, call (949) 253-2880 or go to the website.