The Inbox (Apr. 20-26, 2013)

Every week, I get several press releases, screening invitations and other notifications from a handful of studio contacts. While I won’t be sharing any information regarding my screening invites, some of the press releases might be of interest to my readers, so I thought I’d start sharing them in toto with all of you. These could include new image galleries for various films or important updates to upcoming releases from various smaller studios and art house production companies.

Image Gallery: The Great Gatsby

Visit the gallery here: Gallery Link

Press Release: AFI Docs Announces Opening Night and Centerpiece Premiers

AFI DOCS presented by Audi ANNOUNCES OPENING NIGHT AND CENTERPIECE PREMIERES

Opening Gala LETTERS TO JACKIE written and directed by Bill Couturié Embraces the Nation’s Mourning of President Kennedy’s Assassination Fifty Years Ago

Centerpiece Gala DOCUMENTED written and directed by Jose Antonio Vargas Further Raises Immigration to the Forefront of our Country’s Dialogue

APRIL 22, 2013, WASHINGTON, DC – AFI Docs presented by Audi announced today the AFI Docs opening night gala at the Newseum will be the theatrical premiere of LETTERS TO JACKIE written and directed by Oscar®-winning filmmaker Bill Couturié. The film, presented by TLC and co-produced by Amblin TV and The Couturie Co., features letters from the public written to Mrs. Kennedy in the dark shadow of the President’s assassination fifty years ago. The letters are read by 20 of today’s top actors including Bérénice Bejo, Demián Bichir, Jessica Chastain, Chris Cooper, Viola Davis, Zooey Deschanel, Kirsten Dunst, Anne Hathaway, Allison Janney, John Krasinski, Melissa Leo, Laura Linney, Frances McDormand, Chloë Grace Moretz, Mark Ruffalo, Octavia Spencer, Hailee Steinfeld, Channing Tatum, Betty White and Michelle Williams. TLC will premiere LETTERS TO JACKIE as a special television event in November 2013. Timothy Kuryak, Howard Lee, Eileen O’Neill and Amy Winter serve as executive producers for TLC. Amblin/DreamWorks Television co-presidents Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank executive produced the film.

Also having its world premiere is DOCUMENTED, written and directed by Jose Antonio Vargas, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and founder of Define American and co-directed by Ann Lupo. The film explores immigration in America through the lens of Vargas’ personal story as one of the country’s most prominent undocumented immigrants who himself is documenting America’s growing undocumented immigrant movement. The topic of immigration will also be explored as part of the AFI Catalyst Sessions: The Art of Moving Reality, a forum for national conversations with filmmakers, thought leaders, policy-makers and engaged audiences held as part of AFI Docs. More information about the AFI Catalyst Sessions will be announced in May.

“Some issues and emotions are so powerful that they must find expression in the public square and in our case, the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue,” said AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale. “LETTERS TO JACKIE and DOCUMENTED will prompt essential national conversations that are at the heart of AFI Docs.”

“We are honored to present these exceptional films as our Opening Night and Centerpiece screenings,” said Sky Sitney, Festival Director. “Both touch deeply on the emotional core of our country’s identity – LETTERS TO JACKIE looks back at a pivotal time in our history, while DOCUMENTED confronts a critical issue that could not be more timely and relevant.”

As previously announced, AFI Docs presented by Audi (formerly Silverdocs) returns for its 11th edition June 19-23, 2013. After a decade at the celebrated AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, MD, the festival will build upon the success of Silverdocs with screenings and events at iconic venues on the National Mall and in the Penn Quarter area, as well as continue at the American Film Institute’s AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center.

Information on programming, screening schedules, registration and passes will be released in the coming weeks and posted at AFI.com/AFIDOCS.

About AFI Docs presented by Audi
AFI Docs presented by Audi (formerly Silverdocs) is an internationally recognized event that honors excellence in filmmaking, supports the diverse voices and free expression of independent storytellers and celebrates the power of documentary to improve our understanding of the world. Now in its 11th year, the festival is embarking on a transformational chapter in its history with an expansion into landmark Washington, DC venues and with the AFI Catalyst Sessions which serve as stimuli for national public discourse and an opportunity to engage our nations leaders with filmmakers striving to shine a light on the greatest issues of today. The festival historically has attracted over 27,000 documentary enthusiasts, policy-makers and thought leaders. Visit AFI.com/AFIDOCS and connect on twitter.com/AFIDocs, facebook.com/AFIDocs and youtube.com/AFI.

About the American Film Institute
AFI is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI provides leadership in film, television and digital media and is dedicated to initiatives that engage the past, the present and the future of the moving image arts. AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award – the highest honor for a career in film – now in its 41st year; AFI Awards, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year; AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 MOVIES television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI Fest presented by Audi, AFI Docs presented by Audi and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world renowned AFI Conservatory, renowned for the quality of its instructors and speakers, and its notable alumni.

For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.

About Audi
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. Audi was a top-performing luxury brand in Europe during 2012, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Through 2016, AUDI AG will invest about $17 billion on new products, facilities and technologies. Visit audiusa.com or audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

Press Release: Focus Features to Distribute “Dallas Buyers Club”

MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY, JARED LETO, JENNIFER GARNER STAR IN JEAN-MARC VALLÉE’S DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, TO BE RELEASED BY FOCUS FEATURES DOMESTICALLY

NEW YORK, April 23rd, 2013 – Dallas Buyers Club, currently in post-production, has been acquired by Focus Features for domestic theatrical release in the second half of 2013. The company has also acquired Latin American rights to the feature. Focus CEO James Schamus and Focus president Andrew Karpen made the announcement today.

A Truth Entertainment production, Dallas Buyers Club is produced by Robbie Brenner and Rachel Winter. Spirit Award winner Matthew McConaughey stars in the fact-based drama for director Jean-Marc Vallée (The Young Victoria). The film’s original screenplay is by Craig Borten and Melissa Wallack.

In Dallas Buyers Club, Mr. McConaughey portrays real-life Texas electrician Ron Woodroof, an ordinary man who found himself in a life-or-death battle with the medical establishment and pharmaceutical companies. In 1986, Ron was blindsided by being diagnosed as HIV-positive and given 30 days to live. With the U.S. still internally divided over how to combat the virus and restricting medications, Ron grabbed hold of non-toxic alternative treatments from all over the world by means both legal and illegal. Seeking to avoid government sanctions against selling non-approved medicines and supplements, he established a “buyers club,” which fellow HIV-positive people could join for access to his supplies.

The cast of Dallas Buyers Club also includes Gotham Independent Film Award winner Jared Leto and Golden Globe Award winner Jennifer Garner. The movie’s executive producers are Truth Entertainment’s Tony Notargiacomo and Joe Newcomb; Nicholas Chartier; Cassian Elwes; Logan Levy; Nathan Ross; and Holly Wiersma.

Mr. Schamus and Mr. Karpen commented, “Matthew McConaughey is an actor at the top of his game, and he incarnates Ron Woodroof by showing how his self-interest was galvanized into something much more. Audiences will want to take this journey with him, Jared Leto, and Jennifer Garner, as guided by their dynamic director Jean-Marc Vallée.”

Mr. Vallée said, “I’m extremely pleased that we are partnered with Focus Features. They have a long and successful history of sharing memorable stories. Ron Woodroof’s story is one of an imperfect man and his fight for survival, during a confused and desperate time. We all believe that this film had to finally be made, and we are all grateful and privileged to be part of this project.”

Focus Features and Focus Features International (www.focusfeatures.com) comprise a singular global company. This worldwide studio makes original and daring films that challenge the mainstream to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world that deliver global commercial success. The company operates as Focus Features in North America, and as Focus Features International (FFI) in the rest of the world.

The current and upcoming Focus Features slate includes Derek Cianfrance’s drama The Place Beyond the Pines, starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, and Eva Mendes; The World’s End, the third installment of Edgar Wright’s trilogy of comedies starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost; Closed Circuit, the suspense thriller directed by John Crowley and starring Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall; the true-life dramatic thriller Kill the Messenger, to be directed by Michael Cuesta and star Jeremy Renner; and the comedic fable The Boxtrolls, the new animated feature from LAIKA, directed by Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable with a voice cast that includes Ben Kingsley, Toni Collette, Elle Fanning, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, and Tracy Morgan.

Focus Features is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation.

Press Release: Ivan Reitman’s “Draft Day” Kicks Off Production in April

SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT AND ODDLOT ENTERTAINMENT KICKOFF PRODUCTION FOR DRAFT DAY ON APRIL 25, 2013

Principal Photography Starting in New York to Film during Actual 2013 NFL Draft and Will Continue in Cleveland

Santa Monica, CA April 24, 2013 – Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE® company, and OddLot Entertainment announced today that principal photography of the co-production of DRAFT DAY will commence on April 25th. Filming of the dramedy is starting in New York in time to film scenes during the actual 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. The movie, starring Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Ellen Burstyn and Denis Leary, is being directed and produced by Ivan Reitman from a script by Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman. The film will also feature Frank Langella, Chadwick Boseman, Terry Crews, Sean Combs, Josh Pence, Rosanna Arquette, Timothy Simons, David Ramsey, Wade Williams, Chi McBride, W. Earl Brown, Brad Henke, Griffin Newman, Kevin Dunn, Patrick St. Esprit, Arian Foster, Christopher Cousins, Pat Healy, Laura Steinel and Wallace Langham. Once filming in New York is complete, production will move to Cleveland.

OddLot Entertainment is co-financing the film. Producing the film with Reitman is OddLot’s CEO Gigi Pritzker along with Joe Medjuck, and Ali Bell via the Montecito Picture Company banner. Montecito’s Tom Pollock and Michael Buegg will executive produce.

DRAFT DAY continues in the tradition of Costner’s great sports themed films such as BULL DURHAM, FIELD OF DREAMS and TIN CUP. Costner won an Academy Award® for his work on DANCES WITH WOLVES and was most recently honored with a Golden Globe® for his performance in “Hatfields & McCoys.”

Reitman is the influential director and producer who changed the face of American film comedy by producing ANIMAL HOUSE and then directing MEATBALLS, STRIPES, and GHOSTBUSTERS. Reitman’s other directing credits include: TWINS, KINDERGARTEN COP, SIX DAYS SEVEN NIGHTS, DAVE, and most recently, NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

Erik Feig, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s President of Production, said, “DRAFT DAY is that perfect movie with a little something for everyone – adrenaline, high stakes, laughs, and ultimately a fantastic group of characters brought to screen by a master director. We are thrilled to be starting production on what we know will be an instant classic with our friends and partners at OddLot and Montecito.”

“We are thrilled to continue our collaborative relationship with Summit and Lionsgate on DRAFT DAY and excited to work on this project with Ivan, Tom and Kevin,” said Michael Nathanson and Bill Lischak, Co-Presidents of OddLot. “We look forward to starting principal photography next week during the actual NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall which gives this film a great sense of authenticity.”

“We are very proud to be producing DRAFT DAY, a great screenplay we found and championed, which then went on to be the number one script on last year’s Black List,” said Montecito co-owner Tom Pollock. “For Ivan as a director, the project is reminiscent of DAVE, one of his best films, and for Kevin, it is in the spirit of FIELD OF DREAMS.”

In DRAFT DAY, on the day of the NFL Draft, general manager Sonny Weaver (Costner) has the opportunity to save football in Cleveland when he trades for the number one pick. He must quickly decide what he’s willing to sacrifice in pursuit of perfection as the lines between his personal and professional life become blurred on a life-changing day for a few hundred young men with dreams of playing in the NFL.

Feig and Meredith Milton, Summit Entertainment’s Executive Vice President of Production, will oversee the project for the studio. Linda McDonough, OddLot’s Executive Vice President of Production and Development, will oversee the project on behalf of OddLot.

Actor – Role
Kevin Costner – “Sonny Weaver Jr.”
Jennifer Garner – “Ali”
Denis Leary – “Coach Penn”
Ellen Burstyn – “Barb Weaver”
Frank Langella – “Anthony Molina”
Chadwick Boseman – “Vontae Mack”
Terry Crews – “Earl Jennings”
Sean Combs – “Chris Crawford”
Josh Pence – “Bo Callahan”
Rosanna Arquette – “Angie” (Ex-Wife)
Timothy Simons – “Marx” (Scout)
David Ramsey – “Thompson” (Scout)
Wade Williams – “O’Reilly” (Scout)
Chi McBride- “Walt Gordon”
W. Earl Brown – “Ralph Mowry”
Brad Henke – “Tony ‘Bagel’ Bagli”
Griffin Newman – “Rick” (Intern)
Kevin Dunn – “Marvin”
Patrick St. Esprit – “Tom Michaels”
Arian Foster – “Ray Jennings”
Christopher Cousins – “Max Stone”
Pat Healy – “Jeff Carson”
Laura Steinel – “Heather”
Wallace Langham- “Pete Begler”

The film will also feature NFL players Demario Davis, James Brewer, Ramses Barden, Zoltan Mesko, and Stephen Hill, as well as NFL and ESPN on-air talent Jon Gruden, Mike Mayock, Deion Sanders, Rich Eisen, Mel Kiper and Chris Berman.

About Summit Entertainment
Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE® company, is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The company handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product.

About OddLot Entertainment
OddLot Entertainment is a Los Angeles-based film and television production company that develops, produces, finances and arranges distribution for quality, commercial properties for both the domestic and international markets.

OddLot is currently in production on ENDER’S GAME, written and directed by Gavin Hood, and starring Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, Hailee Steinfeld , Abigail Breslin and Asa Butterfield as “Ender.” Summit Entertainment is co-financing the film and will release it domestically November 1, 2013. OddLot also recently completed production of THE WAY, WAY BACK, a comedic drama from Academy Award®-winning writers Jim Rash and Nat Faxon (THE DESCENDANTS), which was acquired by Fox Searchlight at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The film stars Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell, Allison Janney, Maya Rudolph, AnnaSophia Robb, Amanda Peet and Liam James. OddLot’s other credits include producing the critically-acclaimed DRIVE, RABBIT HOLE and FROM PRADA TO NADA. Past credits for Pritzker include THE WEDDING PLANNER, GREEN STREET HOOLIGANS and MEAN CREEK.

Additionally, OddLot has a joint venture with acclaimed maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. The production shingle will develop, produce and independently finance action-oriented commercial films, which will either be directed and/or produced by Rodriguez. OddLot also has a first-look deal with writer/director Tom McCarthy, which covers all media including film and TV.

About Montecito Picture Company
Formed in 1998, The Montecito Picture Company was founded by partners Tom Pollock, who previously served as Chairman of Universal Motion Picture Group and accomplished Director/Producer Ivan Reitman. The Company has produced such films as UP IN THE AIR, NO STRINGS ATTACHED, I LOVE YOU MAN, OLD SCHOOL, DISTURBIA, and HITCHCOCK. The company has offices in Santa Barbara and Beverly Hills.

Press Release: Julia Stiles, Scott Speedman and Stephen Rea to Star in “Out of the Dark”

JULIA STILES, SCOTT SPEEDMAN AND STEPHEN REA STAR IN SUPERNATURAL THRILLER OUT OF THE DARK

The Participant Presentation, in Association with Image Nation, is produced by Dynamo and Apaches, and is Filming in Colombia

Los Angeles, CA – April 25, 2013 – Julia Stiles (Silver Linings Playbook, The Bourne Ultimatum), Scott Speedman (The Strangers, The Vow) and Stephen Rea (V for Vendetta, The Crying Game) star in Out of the Dark, a supernatural thriller presented by Participant Media in association with Image Nation and produced by Colombia’s Dynamo and Spain’s Apaches Entertainment. Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King and Nick Spicer of XYZ Films serve as executive producers on the film, which began filming in Bogota, Colombia this week.

Spanish filmmaker Lluis Quilez is directing the screenplay by Alex & David Pastor and Javier Gullón about an American couple, Sarah and Paul Harriman, who move to Colombia with their young daughter, Hannah, to take over the manufacturing business owned by Sarah’s father, and soon realize that the house they’ve moved into is haunted.

Said King, “Given Participant’s mission to illuminate important issues, this is not your average ghost story. You can be sure that there’s a bigger reason why this takes place at this particular house in the Colombian jungle and to this particular family.”

“We are delighted to once again join Participant Media in bringing this smart story to the screen,” observed Mohamed Al Mubarak, Image Nation’s Chairman.

Dynamo’s Cristian Conti, added, “We are excited to be working with Participant to deliver this kind of quality storytelling to Colombia and to take advantage of the spectacular locations and local talent in a way that is authentically international.”

Apaches Partner Belen Atienza said, “Out of the Dark showcases the talent of Lluis Quilez to give life to frightening stories that go beyond the genre to explore deeper emotions.”

About Participant Media
Participant (participantmedia.com) is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll to focus on feature films, television, publishing and digital content that inspire social change. Participant’s more than 40 films include GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, SYRIANA, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, FOOD, INC., WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’, THE HELP, CONTAGION and LINCOLN. Participant’s social action campaigns and digital network TakePart.com continue the conversation and connect audiences to a wealth of content and actions. Its new millennial television network Pivot (pivot.tv), launching this summer in 40 million-plus homes, is TV for The New Greatest Generation.

About Image Nation
Since launching in 2008 as a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media, Image Nation has rapidly become one of the leading content creators in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The company commissions and produces filmed content across a wide range of platforms, with a particular focus on audiences in the UAE and Gulf region.

Image Nation fulfills four key commitments: Developing Emirati filmed entertainment; growing the local film industry through training and internship programs; supporting Abu Dhabi entities in creating content to meet strategic and marketing objectives; and co-producing an aggressive slate of international films through several strategic partnerships.

Image Nation International, the company’s international film division, maintains strategic partnerships with a number of major producers. These include Participant Media, Hyde Park Entertainment, Parkes /Macdonald Productions, Warner Bros., and Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA).

The division has co-produced a number of feature films, including “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” and through its Parkes+MacDonald/Image Nation partnership produced “Men in Black 3” and “Flight” and has co-financed, through the Participant Media/Imagenation Film Fund such films as “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, “The Help” and “Contagion”.

About Dynamo
Dynamo was originally founded in 2006 and has since become the leading film production company in Colombia. Dynamo has produced some prominent world cinema titles, such as Sundance winner Undertow by Javier Fuentes-Leon, Sebastian Cordero’s Rabia and Andi Baiz’s Satanas, and box office hits such as La Cara Oculta. In 2007 Dynamo raised the first pension fund backed PE film investment fund in Latin America which has made over 15 equity and debt investments all across the region since its inception. Today Dynamo also manages the RIFF fund, which represents a few select HNW in the film space.

In recent years Dynamo has expanded its activity into the TV development and service production, post production facilities, new media and online community spaces. Dynamo also has a permanent presence in Spain where it has offices in Barcelona. Its latest projects include Andi Baiz’s Roa opening in April 2013 and Carlos Moreno’s Que Viva La Musica! With production starting in 2013.

About Apaches Entertainment
Apaches Entertainment was founded 5 years ago by Enrique López-Lavigne and Belén Atienza, two producers whose curricula include some of the most original and successful titles in European cinema over recent years (28 Weeks Later, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Orphanage).

Strongly director driven, Apaches Entertainment has produced, among other titles, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s Intruders, Nacho Vigalondo’s Extraterrestrial and J. A. Bayona’s The Impossible. The acclaimed title has grossed $170M worldwide boxoffice to date.

Press Release: “Turtle Hill, Brooklyn” To Open Limited Engagement at Quad Cinema

FILM FESTIVAL HIT TURTLE HILL, BROOKLYN STARTS WEEK-LONG ENGAGEMENT AT QUAD CINEMA NEXT FRIDAY MAY 3, 2013

Will Pork Productions and Believe Limited are happy to announce that Ryan Gielen’s Turtle Hill, Brooklyn will open theatrically in New York City on May 3rd. The film will run an exclusive week-long engagement at Quad Cinema in Manhattan.

Turtle Hill, Brooklyn has been an audience favorite at festivals around the country including NewFest (Audience Award: Best Narrative Feature), ImageOut, the Seattle LGBT Film Festival, Palm Springs’ Cinema Diverse and Philadelphia QFest, where it was hailed as “a modern day Boys in the Band” and “intimate and affecting”. Variety called the film “engaging, well-scripted, dynamically shot”.

Will and Mateo are throwing a 30th birthday party for Will at their home in Turtle Hill, Brooklyn. When Will’s conservative sister stops by unexpectedly, he is forced to come out to her and face the repercussions. The party kicks into action as the friends drink, jump in the kiddie pool, break the piñata, and argue about politics, relationships, sex and religion. Another surprise guest arrives exposing truths that threaten Will and Mateo’s relationship. When the bottles are empty and guests are gone, the couple faces the reality of who they are individuals and where they stand as a couple. Turtle Hill, Brooklyn is a funny, true-to-life look at a couple navigating the ins and outs of a relationship.

Writers/producers Brian W. Seibert and Ricardo Valdez headline the cast as Will and Mateo. Turtle Hill, Brooklyn also stars Ariel Bonilla, veteran stage actor Michael Edmund, Rachel Valdati, Maryll Botula and Deirdre MacNamara.

Press Release: “A Fish Story” World Premiere at Newport Beach Film Fest

Matt Birman’s ‘A Fish Story’ to Have World Premiere at the 14th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival

Film Stars Sam Roberts and Eddie McClintock with a cameo performance by George A. Romero

Los Angeles, CA (April 26, 2013) – Equinoxe Films announces today that director Matt Birman’s debut drama A FISH STORY will have its World Premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival in Newport Beach, California on Saturday, April 27th at the Fashion Island 6 theater at 2:30pm. The film was produced by Sam Roberts, Annie Coutu, Robert Cordileone, Michael Mosca and Franca Visconti. Roberts, who also wrote the screenplay, stars in the film alongside Eddie McClintock (‘Warehouse 13’), Jane Heitmeyer (‘Earth: Final Conflict”), Jamie Spilchuck, Steven Yaffee and Jordyn Negri. Following the screening will be a Q & A with the director Matt Birman and members of the cast including Sam Roberts, Eddie McClintock and Jayne Heitmeyer.

Founded in 1999, the Newport Beach Film Festival has evolved into a prestigious multicultural event, attracting over 52,000 attendees to Orange County. Screening over 400 films in 8 days, NBFF prides itself on bringing the best in new, local, international and critically acclaimed cinema to Newport Beach. This year the festival runs from April 25th to May 2nd.

A FISH STORY tells the tale of a devoted father (Roberts), who, after his sudden death and search for heaven, is brought back to his distraught family and his wilderness fishing camp for a few precious days in the body of a wanted man (McClintock).