Annual Newport Beach Film Festival Honors Brunch at balboa bay resort
Photography Credit: Shelby Dubin Photography
On Sunday, October 19th, the Newport Beach Film Festival hosted the Annual Newport Beach Film Festival Honors Brunch at Balboa Bay Resort, produced by Gem Event Productions in partnership with Visit Newport Beach. This year marked the festival’s most star-studded celebration yet, drawing an impressive lineup of A-list talent and entertainment industry leaders to the iconic Newport waterfront.
The event honored some of the most accomplished and influential figures in film and television, celebrating artistry, innovation, and creative excellence.
Honorees included:
Variety Legend & Groundbreaker Award: Scarlett Johansson
Icon Award: Brendan Fraser, Diane Lane, Mark Hamill
Artist of Distinction Award: Kerry Condon, Jenny Slate
Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award: Tessa Thompson
Spotlight Award: Noah Schnapp
Best Director Award: Rian Johnson
Casting Visionary Award: Francine Maisler
Arts Champion Award: Steven Gaydos
The celebration also recognized Variety’s “10 Actors to Watch,” spotlighting emerging talent poised to shape the future of cinema:
Milly Alcock, Ella Anderson, Miles Caton, Edmund Donovan, Chase Infiniti, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Jay Lycurgo, Guillaume Marbeck, Tonatiuh, and Mari Yamamoto.
With elevated design and production by Gem Event Productions, the brunch offered a refined and cinematic atmosphere that reflected Newport Beach’s effortless sophistication — merging Hollywood glamour with coastal California style.
Stay tuned for next year’s event!
