Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Honors

The Newport Beach Film Festival will host its 2025 Festival Honors on Sunday, Oct. 19, at Balboa Bay Resort in partnership with Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch.

This year’s honorees include Diane Lane (“Anniversary”), Mark Hamill (“Life of Chuck”), and Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser (“Rental Family”), who will each receive the Icon Award. Kerry Condon (“F1” and “Train Dreams”) and Jenny Slate (“Dying for Sex”) will receive the Artist of Distinction Award. Tessa Thompson (“Hedda”) will be honored with the Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award. Noah Schnapp (“Stranger Things”) will receive the Spotlight Award. Francine Maisler (“Sinners” and “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere”) will receive the Casting Visionary Award, and journalist and screenwriter Steven Gaydos will be honored with the Arts Champion Award.

The event will be filmed for broadcast and air during the key awards voting window in January on PBS SoCal.

The 26th edition of the festival will take place Oct. 16–23 and will showcase more than 100 feature films from around the world. Highlights include opening night film “Blue Moon” and closing night film “Frankenstein.” Centerpiece selections include “Hedda,” “Nouvelle Vague,” “Sentimental Value,” and “Wake Up Dead Man.”

Additional honorees include Scarlett Johansson, who will receive the Variety Legend & Groundbreaker Award, and Rian Johnson, who will receive the Best Director Award following a screening of “Wake Up Dead Man” on Friday, Oct. 17. Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch will also be recognized.

The Newport Beach Film Festival draws more than 50,000 attendees each year, making it the largest international cinema event in coastal Southern California. Along with its global film lineup, the festival features nightly parties and events with more than 60 culinary partners.

For tickets and the complete lineup, visit newportbeachfilmfest.com

Chiang Rai Thai in Tustin Serves Up Michelin-Recognized Northern Thai Cuisine

I’ve been on a mission to try more local restaurants that I haven’t experienced before, and Chiang Rai Thai in Tustin has been at the top of my list. It’s a buzz-worthy spot and for good reason. The restaurant has earned Michelin recognition three years in a row, in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

This Tustin location opened earlier this year, while the original Chiang Rai Thai has been winning over diners in Long Beach for years. Word is definitely out, as the restaurant is almost always packed. Hot tip: join the waitlist on Yelp before you arrive. You’ll need to be within four miles of the restaurant to add your name, but it’s a great way to time your visit so the wait is short.

The Tustin location of Chiang Rai Thai is vibrant and full of charm, with hand-painted parasols in bright reds, blues and yellows suspended from the ceiling, giving the space an artistic and festive feel. The cozy dining room features warm wood accents, green paneled walls, and displays of traditional Thai items, including bamboo baskets, tiffin carriers and bottles neatly arranged on illuminated shelves. With both counter and table seating, the restaurant feels inviting and comfortable, perfect for families and groups to share a meal together.

The extensive menu can be a little overwhelming, but don’t overthink it. Start with what made them famous. The Michelin recognition centers on the Khao Soi Series, a Northern Thai curry noodle dish featuring boiled and fried egg noodles in a creamy, slightly spicy curry sauce. It’s served with your choice of protein and topped with red onion, lime, pickled mustard greens and crispy shallots. This is their signature dish and an absolute must-order.

Other highlights include crab fried rice with real crab meat, red curry with chicken, and the Chiang Rai Local Food section featuring authentic Northern specialties such as Sai Ua (spicy pork sausage) and Nam Prik Mueng (a flavorful combination of curry pastes, pork skin and steamed vegetables). For seafood lovers, the steamed branzino with spicy lime sauce is another standout.

Chiang Rai Thai is a great family-style restaurant, perfect for sharing a spread of bold, comforting dishes. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is lively, and every dish feels like a journey to Northern Thailand.

Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant
608 E 1st St., Tustin. 714.714.0082 | chiangraitustin.com
Closed Mondays. Open 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 4–9 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday: 
12–2:30 p.m., 4–9 p.m. Sunday. 

Original location: 3832 E Anaheim St., Long Beach. 562.494.3003.

Chili Chutney Brings Authentic Afghan Cuisine to Lake Forest

Authentic Afghan cuisine isn’t easy to find in Orange County. Ever since I tried the incredible dishes at Kor Kitchen in San Luis Obispo, I’ve been on a mission to find Afghan food closer to home. Gratefully, I discovered Chili Chutney Afghan Restaurant in Lake Forest, new to me but serving loyal guests since 2009.

This family-owned restaurant brings the comfort of home-cooked Afghan meals to Southern California, using recipes passed down through generations. Afghan cuisine reflects a rich blend of Persian, Central Asian, and Indian influences, known for its aromatic spices, long-simmered stews, and beautifully balanced flavors.

At Chili Chutney, signature dishes include Qabili Palau, Afghanistan’s national dish made with basmati rice, lamb shank, carrots, and raisins. You can also enjoy Ashak and Mantu, delicate dumplings filled with leeks or beef, topped with yogurt and spiced sauces. Beef Boloni, a crisp stuffed flatbread, is another standout, especially when paired with Doogh, a refreshing yogurt drink blended with mint and salt.

The menu also offers flavorful vegetarian options like Banjan Borani, made with fried eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers, and Kadoo Borani, a sweet and savory pumpkin dish topped with yogurt.

Inside, the colorful lighting and soft Afghani music create a cozy atmosphere for exploring this distinctive cuisine. While you’ll find a few familiar dishes like Caesar salad or burgers for the less adventurous, the real draw is the chance to experience a culinary tradition that is both ancient and comforting.

Whether you are trying Afghan food for the first time or craving the flavors of home, Chili Chutney delivers an authentic and memorable dining experience.

Open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chili Chutney Afghan Restaurant is at 24301 Muirlands Blvd., Suite A, Lake Forest. (949) 859-1778