Blog
NEWPORT BEACH FILM FEST ENVIRONMENTAL FILM SERIES
04.26.19
The Environmental Film Series presented by the Newport Beach Film Festival from April 25-May 2 features a curated program of documentary films designed to raise awareness of important issues affecting the planet. The program explores a wide array of "eco" and "green" topics, including water quality, sustainability, natural resource preservation, animal protection, ecosystems, pollution, public health issues, citizen activism, and the adverse effects of industrialized agricultural practices.
Films in the Environmental Film Series will screen at Edwards Big Newport, The LOT in Fashion Island, Regency Lido Theater and The Triangle.
Three films in the Environment Film Series explore the negative impacts that industrialization, pesticides, and factory farming have on the quality of life of humans, animals and beneficial insects. The films depict how geological transforming activities and pollution generating corporate entities, such as mining, unsustainable animal and agricultural practices, pose a severe threat to our food system, water and air quality and precious natural resources.
A cinematic meditation on humanity’s massive reengineering of the planet, the visually stunning documentary Anthropocene follows the research of an international body of scientists, the Anthropocene Working Group who, after nearly 10 years of research, are arguing that the evidence shows the Holocene Epoch gave way to the Anthropocene Epoch in the mid-twentieth century, as a result of profound and lasting human changes to the Earth. The Pollinators tells the story of how our very food system is under threat and rests on the wings of honey bees and the commercial beekeepers that move them from farm to orchard pollinating crops that native pollinators can no longer adequately accomplish. Right to Harm presents an exposé on the public health impact of factory farming across the United States, told through the eyes of residents in five rural communities.
From Antarctic Icebergs and to the Indian Ocean to the Sea of Cortez, the Environmental Film Series spotlights two films about the international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and their quest to protect precious sea life from greedy and dangerous poachers. Winner of the Audience Award (World Cinema - Documentary) at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, Sea of Shadows chronicles a group of brilliant scientists, high-tech activists, investigative journalists and courageous undercover agents in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, who attempt to rescue the most endangered and elusive whale on Earth while battling the vicious Mexican drug cartels and Chinese traffickers whose destructive poaching methods are threatening the region’s marine life. Chasing the Thunder follows the unbelievable story of the activist organization Sea Shepherd’s 110-day pursuit of the world’s most notorious poaching vessel, The Thunder.
From the mountain ranges of Yukon, Canada to the U.S.-Mexico border, two films in the Environmental Film Series take viewers on outdoor adventures into environmentally sensitive regions. Return to Mount Kennedy sits at the intersection of politics, human rights, environmentalism and adventure. Following the footsteps of Senator Robert Kennedy and mountaineer Jim Whittaker, an ambitious team of young, amateur mountain climbers embark on an expedition to tackle the remote Mountain Kennedy, one of the highest peaks in the world. The River and the Wall follows five friends on an immersive adventure through the unknown wilds of the Texas borderlands as they set out to document the borderlands and explore the potential impacts of a wall on the natural environment
The Environmental Film Series is supported by Community Partners including Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Environmental Nature Center, Oceana, Ocean Institute, The Whale Sanctuary Project, SPON, Surfrider, Newport Bay Conservancy, Orange County Coastkeeper.
Blog
Women’s Business Symposium with Cookie Johnson
04.25.19
Now in its 13th year, the Comerica Bank Women’s Business Symposium has been a sell-out event each year. You can join the event on Friday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, with featured guest Cookie Johnson of “Believing in Magic” NY Times Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist and Interviewer Lynette Romero, KTLA5 Morning News anchor, and reporter.
Comerica developed this program specifically for women business owners, executives and professionals at all levels looking for opportunities to Learn, Connect & Grow professionally, personally and financially.
The discussion with Johnson and Romero will cover fascinating topics such as:
- How Johnson coped with learning of her husband’s HIV diagnosis while she was pregnant.
- Having a public profile to spread the word about HIV and AIDS.
- Getting through difficult marital times and staying committed.
- Launching her own business, public speaking and becoming an author.
- Raising children and encouraging them to be their authentic selves.
Other speakers for the event are Amy K Hutchens--Former executive of a billion-dollar global consumer products company, business strategist and author of “The Secrets Leaders Keep.”
Ivette Mayo--Award-winning entrepreneur and author of “A 30 Day Guide To Your Power – Powerful Outcomes through Powerful Words.”
Chef Jamie Gwen will again serve as the emcee for the event. Gwen is a Culinary Institute of America graduate, celebrity chef, syndicated radio host, certified sommelier, and a seven-time cookbook author.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Girls Inc. of Orange County. The nonprofit organization positively changes the lives of 4,000 girls – kindergarten to 18 years old – each year by providing year-round holistic, compensatory and intentional programming focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), financial literacy, sound body image, healthy relationships, and college and career readiness.
Hyatt Regency, Huntington Beach Resort and Spa is at 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. Tickets are available here.
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from the blog
- 10.30.25 – An Evening with John O’Hurley at The Lido
- 10.28.25 – Día de los Muertos Rooftop Brunch at Top of the V
- 10.27.25 – Sip & Shuck Returns to Laguna Beach Nov. 2 to Benefit CASA
- 10.26.25 – A Crystal Cove Takes Mimosa Brunch to the Next Level
- 10.26.25 – Rose Bakery Café Opens in Orange
- 10.21.25 – Last Chance to Dine at 608 Dahlia Before Oct. 26
- 10.20.25 – Irvine Barclay Theatre Announces Fall and Holiday Season Lineup
- 10.20.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival 2025: ‘Blue Moon’ Shines on Opening Night
- 10.19.25 – Wahoo’s Marks 38 Years with Free Community Celebration in Costa Mesa
- 10.15.25 – Pumpkin Palooza Returns to Discovery Cube OC This October
- 10.14.25 – Irish Spotlight at the Newport Beach Film Festival
- 10.09.25 – The Jill Foundation’s Annual Opportunity Drawing Is Now Open
- 10.09.25 – Born in OC Book Signing at Lido Village Books
- 10.08.25 – Disneyland Experience Headlines The Wish Gala Auction
- 10.07.25 – Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill Reopens Reimagined Anaheim Hills Flagship
- 10.05.25 – Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert at Musco Center
- 10.04.25 – Puesto Celebrates National Taco Day with Golden Ticket Giveaway
- 10.02.25 – Musco Presents Complexions Contemporary Ballet
- 10.02.25 – Newport Beach Becomes Global Beach Volleyball Capital Oct. 7–12
- 10.01.25 – Laguna Cliffs Hosts Harvest Moon Sound Bath
More Daily Doses
- 10.30.25 – Zara Man Opens First U.S. Store at South Coast Plaza
- 10.29.25 – Super Irvine International Market Opens Oct. 31 in Irvine
- 10.27.25 – Jack Johnson Headlines Two-Night Coast Film & Music Benefit Concert
- 10.26.25 – Prime Pizza Opens First Orange County Location in Mission Viejo
- 10.20.25 – Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria Brings Elevated Flavor to Costa Mesa
- 10.19.25 – Fall Fun at The District: Halloween Boo Bash and Cocktail Tour
- 10.16.25 – Luxury Wellness Meets Concierge Medicine at Coastal Wellness MD
- 10.16.25 – Chiang Rai Thai in Tustin Serves Up Michelin-Recognized Northern Thai Cuisine
- 10.16.25 – Chili Chutney Brings Authentic Afghan Cuisine to Lake Forest
- 10.15.25 – Tales of Wonder and Imagination: Alexander Shelley Leads Pacific Symphony in ‘Scheherazade’
- 10.14.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 17 - 18
- 10.13.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
- 10.08.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Honors
- 10.05.25 – Fashion Meets Film: StyleWeekOC Returns to Fashion Island October 15–19
- 09.29.25 – Pacific Airshow Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 3-5
- 09.26.25 – Mastro’s Brings Its Iconic Dining Experience to Irvine Spectrum
- 09.25.25 – San Francisco Ballet’s Frankenstein Comes to Segerstrom Center
- 09.19.25 – 26th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Lineup
- 09.16.25 – Tastemakers of Orange County Returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- 09.16.25 – Pacific Wine & Food Classic Returns September 20
