August Mayor's Corner

By: Newport Beach Mayor, Joe Stapleton

In early June, Newport Beach proudly took center stage in the entertainment world with the debut of Newport Beach TV Fest, a premier four-day celebration of television artistry.

From June 5 to 8, the historic Lido Theater hosted a star-studded lineup that included Kate Hudson, Ralph Macchio, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Segel, Adam Brody, Sam Rockwell, and cast members from hit shows like "Abbott Elementary" and "Yellowjackets."

According to organizers, it was the largest gathering of Guild and Television Academy voters outside of Los Angeles or New York.

Over four dynamic days, the festival featured insightful panels, awards ceremonies and screenings that brought the television industry and our community together in a uniquely Newport Beach way. The festival honored rising stars, such as Taylor Dearden of "The Pitt," and creative teams, including those behind the "Landman" series. Segel received a creative impact award for the Apple TV series "Shrinking," and Brody earned “TV performance of the year” recognition for his role in the Netflix series "Nobody Wants This."  

The Newport Beach TV Fest builds on our city’s strong tradition of celebrating the arts, complementing the long-running Newport Beach Film Festival. Like the festival, TV Fest continues to underscore the longtime connection between Hollywood and Newport Beach, which dates back to the early days of film and television. The festival was a celebration of creativity and culture that perfectly reflected Newport Beach’s spirit of community.

As we look forward to the return of the Newport Beach Film Festival this October, I’m confident that our city’s role as a cultural destination will continue to grow. Thank you to everyone involved who helped launch this wonderful new addition to Newport Beach’s cultural life.

Mayor Joe Stapleton is serving his first term as Mayor of Newport Beach.

Follow on IG @newportstapleton

jstapleton@newportbeachca.gov