Festival Buzz on 1:03 AM (Short Film)
Go-Go Girls in chic cocktail dresses did a tasteful bump-and-grind on top of decorator tables (after all, this was OC), the beat of the infectious music prompted party-goers to erupt into impromptu dances about the showroom of the Land Rover auto dealership, and long queues for the scrumptious Hor d'ouevres seemed to snake endlessly amidst film buffs who chatted each other up to a fever pitch.
Yes, after a dazzling array of screenings @ the Newport Beach Film Festival last night, the locals were ready to party-hearty and wile away the twilight hours with gay abandon.
Was this the new power elite?
The packed house was populated with hip, well-heeled, stylish young adults ranging in ages from 25-40.
And, the good-looking crowd was effervescent and spilling over with excitement.
"That's what I like about the Newport Fest. People who attend come to have fun, " one volunteer piped up cheerfully.
"They show up in plain old jeans or maybe dress up for the occasion. But, there is no attitude here."
No one needed to be a shrinking violet, that's for sure.
Guests were outgoing and approachable - so much so - I made many new acquaintances.
And - unlike a couple of festivals I have attended in the past - the filmmakers & the audiences mixed-and-mingled, engaged in meaningful dialogues about film and the craft behind the art, you name it.
The Festival is going full steam in its tenth year and there is no looking back.
This morning I took in "An Electic Box of Shorts" which I'll be reporting on later in the week.
Film-goers have recommended a handful of films slated to hit the Silver Screen this coming week such as - "Lightbulb" starring Jeremy Renner, "Suspect X" starring Masaharu Fukuyama, "Bicycle Dreams" (documentary), "A film with me in it" starring Dylan Moran and Mark Doherty, "Seraphine" starring Yolande Moreau, and - in a Short Film program on April 26th - an original offering titled "1:03 A.M." produced by Raymond & Joseph Cinemato @ Jar Productions.
And, of course, there will be a round of dazzling parties to crash throughout the week.
So, if the posts get a little ragged by Thursday (closing night), it will be a sign that I truly burned the candle at both ends at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Oh well, you're only young once.
Besides, life is not meant to be a dress rehearsal, right?
No comments:
Post a Comment