Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch & Newport Beach Film Festival Fall Honors

 

This past weekend I was invited to attend the Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch Event held at The Resort at Pelican Hill.  It was really exciting to see such an amazing array of talented actors in one setting.

The event marked the 20th anniversary of Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch, and the kick off of Newport Beach Film Festival’s year-long celebration of its 20th anniversary. The Newport Beach Film Festival seeks to bring the best of classic and contemporary filmmaking from around the world to Orange County, showcasing a diverse collection of international studio and independent films from all film categories; embracing the passion, vision, and independent spirit of both emerging and seasoned filmmakers.

NBFF and Variety round out their First Annual Fall Honors Event, recognizing Robert Forster (What They Had) with the ICON Award, and Colman Domingo (If Beale Street Could Talk), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (upcoming All About Nina), and Topher Grace (BlacKkKlansman) with Artist of Distinction Awards.

 

Variety’s 10 To Watch:

Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2), Gemma Chan (Mary Queen of Scots), Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade), Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians), Anthony Ramos (A Star is Born), Cailee Spaeny (On the Basis of Sex), Marina de Tavira (Roma), John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman), Letitia Wright (Black Panther) and Russell Hornsby (The Hate U Give).

 

 

Interviews On the Red Carpet

 

Zazie Beetz is best known for her role as Domino in Deadpool 2 is such a great actress and genuine person.  She and I spoke about our love of thrifting and she told me most of her outfit was either thrifted or presents from friends. Love that one of Hollywood’s biggest actresses is so down-to-earth.  I look forward to seeing her in many more films.

 

Artist of Distinction Mary Elizabeth Winstead (upcoming All About Nina).  Mary is known for her strong female roles and when I asked her what advice she would give to women on just “owning it” and going after their dreams, she responded that she has found by trusting herself and being true to her values has lead her down the path she is on.

 

 

Artist of Distinction Award Colman Domingo (upcoming If Beale Street Could Talk) dedicated his award to his mother who passed away in 2006.  He spoke about when he was a struggling actor, his mother told him that she would write to Oprah and see if she would help him because “that is what Oprah does, she helps people.” With her passing, he struggled to find meaning and a good friend told him to put his energy into his work.  He has gone on to work with Oprah in “Selma” and his career has blossomed.

 

 

Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians) spoke about how he had to cut his honeymoon short to try out for the role of Nick Young of Crazy Rich Asians and that he didn’t think he had any chance of getting the role.  This was his first acting role and he has gone on to star in two movies and working on his fourth. When asked if his new wife was upset that he had to cut the honeymoon short, he joked that at first, but after getting the role and garnering such success, she has forgiven him. I would say so!

 

 

Icon Award Recipient Robert Forster (What They Had) was probably who I was most excited to see and then to actually meet him and speak to him was amazing.  He is one of my all-time favorite actors and I “discovered” him in Jackie Brown though he has been an actor for many years.  When accepting his Icon Award from Variety, he spoke about how important it is to give each project/job/role your best and to stay present in the moment.  And to not seek perfection because that only takes away from the joy of the moment.  He is truly one of the best actors around and I look forward to seeing his next film which he shared with me as one of the jobs he has ever had.

 

Newport Beach Film Festival:

The 20th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival will take place from April 25th – May 2nd, 2019, presenting hundreds of films to over 50,000 attendees.

You can catch our interview with Joey Luthman, best known for his recurring role as Rad Ferris on the series Weeds here  

And with actress Ava Cantrell, who stars in the Stan Lee recommended indie sci-fi feature film One Under the Sun (2017) and won best actress in a feature film for her role here.

 

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