Newport Beach Film Festival 2027
About
The NBFF selects films from across the international festival circuit alongside American independent productions that haven't yet secured distribution. The programming slate covers narrative features, documentaries, short films, and international cinema organized by region of origin. The festival is known for its documentary selection in particular — investigative, social justice, and sports documentaries find receptive audiences at Newport Beach.
The daytime programming runs across multiple venues simultaneously, with evening galas and premiere screenings at Lido Live for select films with talent present. Post-screening Q&As with directors and cast are common at NBFF — the scale of the festival allows for meaningful direct access to filmmakers that larger festivals can't provide.
The Lido Theatre at 3459 Via Lido in Newport Beach is the festival's flagship venue. Additional screenings at Fashion Island's multiplex and other Orange County locations. Passes and individual tickets available via the NBFF website. The festival typically occupies the last week of April into early May. Newport Beach's restaurant and hotel infrastructure supports the festival well, with promotions running throughout the ten days.
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