NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 16, 2025) — The 26th annual Newport Beach Film Festival, a major stop for Southern California awards contenders, announced Tuesday it will screen more than 100 feature films and 250 shorts from 32 countries during its run from Oct. 16–23.
The festival opens Oct. 16 with a screening of Blue Moon, directed by Richard Linklater and starring Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Scott. Closing night on Oct. 23 will feature Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, starring Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Oscar Isaac and Christoph Waltz.
“As we celebrate our 26th year, this lineup unites the season’s most exciting films with visionary filmmakers from around the world,” said Gregg Schwenk, CEO and executive director of the festival. “Newport is continuing in its tradition of spotlighting the films that go on to become massive award contenders throughout the season.”
Centerpiece Films
The festival’s Centerpiece films, many of which are expected to garner awards attention, include:
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Hedda (U.S.), directed by Nia DaCosta, starring Tessa Thompson
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Nouvelle Vague (France/U.S.), directed by Richard Linklater, starring Zoey Deutch
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Sentimental Value (Norway, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, France), directed by Joachim Trier, starring Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning and Renate Reinsve
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Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (U.S.), directed by Rian Johnson, starring Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack and Thomas Haden Church
