20th ANNUAL NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESt CULINARY FILM SERIES
The 20th annual Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) presents its Culinary Film Series, a documentary film program that celebrates gourmet chefs, the art of gastronomy, international food culture, sustainable farming and the craft of winemaking and distilling. From the Jaén region of Spain to Northern California’s wine country to the World Sommelier Competition in Argentina, the program spotlights nine films that explore culinary-themed stories created by emerging and seasoned documentary filmmakers.
The 20th annual Newport Beach Film Festival takes place from April 25 – May 2. Films in the Culinary Film Series will screen at Edwards Big Newport, The LOT in Fashion Island and The Triangle. Filmmaker Q&A’s will follow select screenings.
The Culinary Film Series features five films that shine a light on California and its food-centric enclaves, lively restaurant scene, sustainable farming and agricultural industries.
"Uncrushable," tells the story of the Northern California fires through the eyes of those most affected in the area. Victims who lost homes or businesses, first responders, chefs and winemakers share their harrowing accounts throughout the film, as a fallen community begins to rebuild through the amazing help of its neighbors, chefs and friends.
Funke tells the story of prodigious chef Evan Funke as he mounts his culinary comeback, eyeing the most competitive street in America as a stage for his ode to the dying art of handmade pasta.
Tin City ventures into the heart of Paso Robles Wine Country in California to a concentrated village—a wine region within a wine region—populated by rebellious, creative winemakers, brew and cider masters and distillers working at the razor’s edge of their craft.
The Biggest Little Farm chronicles the lives of two dreamers and their beloved dog who embark on an ambitious mission to revive a 200-acre farmland. The troubles they face reveal deep complexities of nature and life that require a much greater understanding than they once thought.
Unfolding over the course of one of the most dramatic harvests in history, Harvest Season follows the unsung heroes of the winemaking industry: vineyard workers and small producers, who lovingly oversee all aspects of the winemaking process.
The short film The Last Harvest: You Can't Grow Without Change documents how critical labor shortages are forcing farmers to abandon valuable crops. The film depicts affected communities and the unsung heroes who grow our food.
The Culinary Film Series will showcase three international films. Chef’s Diaries: Scotland follows the journey of the Roca brothers as they embark on a new challenge: exploring Scotland and rediscovering a cuisine that has kept itself hidden from the world in the past years. Olive oil is not just a superfood; in the Spanish region of Jaén, it also represents a way of life. Virgin & Extra: The Land of Olive Oil shows the importance of its history, its people's work and the extraordinary enterprise of a group of local businessmen seeking to produce one of the best olive oils in the world from Picual olives. From Argentina, The Best Sommelier in the World tells the story of the world’s top sommeliers as they demonstrate their devotion and skill in the prestigious World Sommelier Competition to crown the best in their trade.
Complimenting the Culinary Film Series, the 20th edition of the Festival will feature a lineup of over 65 local Orange County signature restaurants, bakeries, cafes and specialty food companies along with premiere spirit, wine and beer sponsors serving patrons at the Opening Night Gala in Fashion Island, at nightly International Spotlight events, Sunset Series receptions and other special events.
The Festival is proud to welcome the participation of Dine Newport, local culinary schools and food-focused non-profit organizations. The Festival’s extensive menu of food-themed offerings gives fest goers an opportunity to enjoy the latest in culinary cinema on the big screen, along with tastings created by local chefs, vintners, and brewers for an all-encompassing culinary experience.
A sampling of restaurants includes Fleming’s Steakhouse, Fig & Olive, Red O, Mastro’s, Cucina Enoteca, Filomena’s Italian Kitchen, Sushi Roku, Puesto, The Boathouse Collective, Tackle Box, Villa Roma, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations and Muldoon’s Irish Pub.
The Culinary Film Series is supported by Community Partners including Bracken’s Kitchen, Orange Home Grown and Waste Not Coalition.
Tickets to the Culinary Film Series screenings are $16. For Festival passes, tickets and information, visit NewportBeachFilmFest.com.
