22nd ANNUAL NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES IRISH CINEMA AND CULTURE
Southern California Cinema Event to Spotlight 15 Films from Ireland
Newport Beach, Calif. (October 2021) – The 22nd annual Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) will present the largest celebration of Irish Cinema in North America during its eight-day run in Southern California from October 21st – 28th, 2021. Highlights include an Irish Showcase Event with red carpet premieres, Seven Irish Feature Length films, Six Irish Short Films and the participation of Irish filmmakers and dignitaries.
On Sunday, October 24th, 2021, the Festival will present its Irish Spotlight, an evening celebration of Irish cinema and culture. The event will feature the premiere of the three highly anticipated Irish films, Deadly Cuts, Redemption of a Rogue and Shelter (‘Foscadh’) followed by a festive post-screening reception.
The Irish Spotlight films will screen at Edwards Big Newport at 300 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA. The post-screening celebration will take place at Muldoon’s Irish Pub at 202 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA, and will feature live music and hosted hors d’oeuvres.
3 IRISH FILMS THAT ARE A MUST-SEE!
Directed by Rachel Carey, Deadly Cuts (US Premiere) (6:00pm) stars Victoria Smurfit, Ericka Roe and Angelina Ball. A black comedy set in a working-class Dublin hair salon where the stylists become accidental vigilantes and community heroes as they take on gang members and gentrifiers threatening their community.
Directed by Philip Doherty, Redemption of a Rogue (US Premiere) (6:00pm) stars Aaron Monaghan, Ciaran Roche, Aisling O’Mara, Pat McCabe, Shane Connoughton and Liz Fitzgibbon. Jimmy carries a black leather doctor’s bag around with him containing the rope he plans to hang himself with. He returns home to the fictional town of Ballylough in the cold austere beauty of West Cavan to seek salvation for his sins.
Written and directed by Seán Breathnach and produced by Paddy Hayes, Shelter (‘Foscadh’) (International Premiere) (6:15pm) stars Dónall Ó Héalai, Fionnuala Flaherty and Cillian O’Gairbhí. When his overprotective parents pass away, friendless and guileless recluse, John Cunliffe, discovers their land to be extremely valuable. He is soon forced to navigate the choppy waters of courtship, trust, and vengeance for the first time in his 28 years. Shelter (‘Foscadh’) is Ireland’s Oscar submission for Best International Film for the 2022 Academy Awards.
Other Feature Length Irish films screening at the Newport Beach Film Festival include:
- The international premiere of Director, Ross Killeen’s film, Love Yourself Today
- Acclaimed Irish documentarian, Kim Bartley’s, Pure Grit (US Premiere)
- Tomás Seoighe’s, The Queen V Patrick O’Donnell (US Premiere)
- The Irish horror feature, Let the Wrong One In (Regional Premiere) directed by Conor McMahon
The Newport Beach Film Festival will also present a curated Irish Shorts program on Sunday October 24th. The slate features several North American Premieres and represents some of the strongest narrative, documentary and short films available on the international festival circuit.
Irish Shorts – All Sorts at 1:00pm at The Lot – Fashion Island at 999 Newport Canter Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
Films in the program include:
- How to Fall in Love in a Pandemic
- Drifting
- Fatherly
- Life After Life
- The Invisible Boy
- The Yellow Dress
Admission to the Irish Shorts Program is $15.00.
“Culture Ireland is delighted to support the presentation of Irish films at Newport Beach Film Festival. Again this year the Festival has selected some truly memorable recent films from a pool of fantastic filmmakers we are lucky to have in Ireland.“ – Christine Sisk, Director of Culture Ireland.
Louise Ryan, Marketing and Communications Manager at Screen Ireland, commented: “Screen Ireland is delighted to partner with the Newport Beach Film Festival to present this selection of highly-anticipated new Irish films. Representing a rich and diverse range of emerging and established Irish talent to discover, these films are sure to connect with festival audiences at Newport Beach and beyond.” – Louise Ryan, Marketing and Communications Manager, Screen Ireland
“Newport Beach Film Festival showcases the very best of classic and contemporary film making from around the world. I am thrilled that included in that showcase is the Irish Spotlight which underlines the depth of imagination, creativity and diversity in Irish film making today.” – Stated Marcella Smyth, Consul General of Ireland – South Western United States.
“The Festival is extremely proud to showcase outstanding Irish Cinema. We are honored to host the most comprehensive collection of Irish film in North America. This year’s program reflects the exceptionally strong creative talent in Ireland.” – Gregg Schwenk, CEO of the Newport Beach Film Festival.
The Newport Beach Film Festival Irish Showcase is presented by Aer Lingus – LAX to DUB and supported by Culture Ireland, Screen Ireland and The Joseph A. Lynch Trust in partnership with, The Irish Herald, Irish Arts & Entertainment, Irish Film and Television Academy, Irish Film Institute, Galway Film Fleadh, Irish American Magazine, Kerrygold, Celtic Nations Magazine, Cork Film Festival, The Ireland Funds, Irish Screen America, Richard Harris International Film Festival, Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival, Irish Fair Foundation, Consulate General of Ireland, Los Angeles and Muldoon’s Irish Pub.
For ticket information and updates visit Newport Beach Film Fest.com.
Tickets for the Irish Film Spotlight Event go on sale this Friday October 1st.
The Irish Spotlight will be held Sunday, October 24th.
The film screening will take place at the Big Newport Theater with an evening Gala Event to follow at Muldoon’s Irish Pub across the way.
About the Newport Beach Film Festival
Recognized as one of the largest luxury lifestyle film festivals in the United States, the Newport Beach Film Festival brings an international curated collection of films and vibrant cultural gatherings to the beautiful Southern California coast. Committed to championing the work of original storytellers from around the globe, the Festival celebrates contemporary screen culture, cinematic excellence and engages the community in compelling conversations with filmmakers and artists. The 22nd Annual Newport Beach Film Festival runs October 21-28, 2021 and will spotlight over 300 films from around the world. The Newport Beach Film Festival is sponsored in part by UCI Health, Morgan Stanley, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Fashion Island, Aston Martin and the City of Newport Beach.
Randi Thorneau loves to write product reviews. Reach out to her through the main submissions email for Celtic Nations Magazine – celticnationsmagazine@gmail.com
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