Greer's OC

The Newport Beach Film Festival has announced its Opening Night and Closing Night films. On Thursday, Oct. 13, the Festival will kick off its eight-day run with WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story starring Daniel Radcliffe, ​Evan Rachel Wood, ​Rainn Wilson, ​Toby Huss, ​Julianne Nicholson,​ and ​Quinta Brunson. Fresh from the Toronto International Film Festival, where it generated huge buzz and won the People’s Choice Award in the Midnight Madness category, WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story will screen at 7 p.m. at Edwards Big Newport.

A Roku original film, which is available for streaming November 4 on The Roku Channel, WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story is directed by Eric Appel and written by Eric Appel and “Weird Al” Yankovic. Radcliffe is “Weird Al” Yankovic in the unexaggerated true story about the greatest musician of our time. From a conventional upbringing where playing the accordion was a sin, Yankovic rebelled and made his dream of changing the words to world-renowned songs come true. An instant success and sex symbol, he lives an excessive lifestyle and pursues an infamous romance that nearly destroys him. 

Opening Night Gala

Following the premiere screening of Weird, attendees will experience the Festival's renowned Opening Night Gala at Fashion Island and enjoy signature tastings from more than 2 dozen of the area's top restaurants along with a hosted bar sponsored by Tito's Handmade Vodka. Guests will also enjoy a special sneak peek performance from the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Winner of 10 Tony awards including Best Musical. The North American tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical premieres at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a limited three-week engagement, November 9 -27. Tickets are on sale now at scfta.org

On Thursday, Oct. 20, the Festival will close with a showing of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery from Netflix. Written and directed by Rian Johnson and starring Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline with Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022, United States, 139 minutes) will screen at 7:45 p.m. at The New Port Theater (2905 East Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar). You’re invited to put the pieces together. In the follow-up to Rian Johnson’s Knives Out, Detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery involving a new cast of colorful suspects. 

Prior to the Closing Night film screening, the Festival will host its Closing Night Gala at 5:30 p.m. at Sherman Library & Gardens (2647 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar). Attendees will enjoy culinary creations by 608 Dahlia and other local restaurants, along with a hosted bar by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and live entertainment in the backdrop of a horticultural oasis and a nationally renowned botanical garden.

Set to take place in person from October 13-20, the Festival’s 23rd edition will showcase more than 350 films from around the world. The Festival will host nightly special events, world premieres, red carpet galas, awards contenders, and compelling conversations with filmmakers. Festival highlights include Festival Honors celebrating Variety’s ’10 Actors to Watch, a Centerpiece program, International Spotlight events (U.K., Ireland, Mexico, France, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Spain, Norway, Canada, Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and China), and Special Programs (Action Sports, Art, Architecture + Design, Cinema on Cinema, Culinary, Environmental, Family and Music Film Series) and curated shorts programs.

Films will screen at four Orange County venues: THE LOT at Fashion Island (Newport Beach), Edwards Big Newport (Newport Beach), New Port Theater (Corona del Mar), and Starlight Triangle Cinemas (Costa Mesa). 

Tickets to Opening Night Film and Gala are $225. Tickets to the Closing Night Film and Gala are $145. Events are open to attendees 21 & older. 

For Festival tickets, visit NewportBeachFilmFest.com.