Greer's OC

Willem Dafoe to Headline “The Process Unlocked” Premiere at Newport Beach Film Festival

By Greer Wylder

September 16, 2026

The Newport Beach Film Festival will host the taping of the pilot episode of "The Process Unlocked" at Witte Hall on Sept. 19, with veteran journalist Jenelle Riley sitting down for an in-depth conversation with actor Willem Dafoe.

The new series is a response to a shift in audience appetite. Red carpet interviews built around trivia and games have their place, but viewers are increasingly hungry for something slower and more substantive: real conversation about craft. "The Process Unlocked" delivers that. Rather than a broad career retrospective, each episode digs into specific creative choices, the instinct behind a scene, the vision behind a shot, the thinking behind a page. It's a chance to step back from the noise of a doomscrolling world and actually sit with how art gets made.

Dafoe is a fitting subject for the show's first episode. Over a career spanning more than 100 films, he has built a reputation for versatility and fearlessness, moving fluidly between big Hollywood productions and independent cinema in pursuit of stories that explore the human condition. His work has earned him four Academy Award nominations: best leading actor for his portrayal of Vincent van Gogh in "At Eternity's Gate," which also brought a Golden Globe nomination, and three supporting actor nods for Oliver Stone's "Platoon," E. Elias Merhige's "Shadow of the Vampire" (also nominated for a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award) and Sean Baker's "The Florida Project" (also nominated for a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award).

Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Because the event will be filmed, no one will be admitted after 6 p.m. Business attire is recommended; shorts, T-shirts and sneakers are not permitted.

Tickets are on sale at the newportbeachfilmfest.com. Please note, ticket charges are not a part of the partnership. The Process Unlocked is generously underwritten by Big Newport Studios.

Please note: This event will be filmed. By purchasing a ticket, attendees grant the Newport Beach TV Fest the right to videotape, record and broadcast their likeness, voice and statements.

Witte Hall, 998 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach
Sept. 19, 2026, 6 to 7 p.m. PDT

Newport Beach Film Festival Turns 27, and the Lineup Is Stacked

By Greer Wylder

September 16, 2026

The Newport Beach Film Festival celebrates its 27th year this October, screening more than 100 feature films and 250 shorts from 21 countries, once again making it the largest international cinema event on the coast. Running Oct. 15-22, 2026, the festival has tickets on sale now, with the full lineup available at newportbeachfilmfest.com.

The Centerpiece selections alone are worth clearing your schedule for. James Gray's "Paper Tiger" pairs Adam Driver with Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller. Danny Boyle brings "Ink," starring Jack O'Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy. And Martin McDonagh's "Wild Horse Nine" brings together John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Tom Waits in one film. "A Talent for Murder," "Josephine" and "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York" complete the slate.

"As we celebrate our 27th year, the Newport Beach Film Festival is thrilled to once again unite audiences with some of the most talked-about films of awards season and an extraordinary group of filmmakers from around the world... We look forward to sharing these impactful films with our incredible Orange County community and celebrating the artists behind them," said Gregg Schwenk, NBFF's CEO and executive director.

The festival's International Spotlight section adds 17 films from Japan, Ireland, Iran, Germany, Spain and beyond, including Hirokazu Koreeda's "Look Back" and Pawel Pawlikowski's "Fatherland." There's also a strong documentary bench this year, with films on Carl Sagan, Giorgio Armani and Kenny Loggins.

Opening and closing night films haven't been announced yet, and NBFF Honors is still to come.

More than 50,000 people are expected to turn out, and over 60 culinary partners will be pouring and plating at events throughout the week. It's still one of the best excuses in Orange County to see a great film and run into half the people you know while you're at it.

Tickets and more info at newportbeachfilmfest.com.

Purrs in Paradise Opens Its Doors at The CAMP

By Greer Wylder

September 15, 2026

A new tropical-inspired cat lounge is settling into The CAMP in Costa Mesa, and it wants you to come hang out.

Purrs in Paradise celebrates its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, with a day built around relaxing, meeting cats and supporting local animal rescue. Every cat in the lounge is available for adoption through the lounge's rescue partner, Friends of Normie Rescue.

Thirty-minute lounge visits are $10 during the celebration, down from the regular $22 admission. Visits are walk-in only throughout the day.

The party also brings a DJ, raffles, giveaways and face painting. The first 50 guests choose a complimentary sweet treat from a lineup that includes fresh gourmet cookies, crispy rice treats and ice cream.

Beyond the lounge, Purrs in Paradise has a curated retail area and a treats counter, and the space will host birthday parties, private events and other community gatherings.

Friends of Normie Rescue oversees the adoption process for the cats at the lounge. Together, the two hope to give more adoptable cats a relaxed, social setting to meet their future families.

Purrs in Paradise is at The CAMP, 2937 Bristol St., Suite B3, Costa Mesa.

Willem Dafoe to Headline “The Process Unlocked” Premiere at Newport Beach Film Festival

Newport Beach Film Festival Turns 27, and the Lineup Is Stacked

Purrs in Paradise Opens Its Doors at The CAMP

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