Newport Beach Film Festival 2008

Elvis is an unlicensed mortician in his family’s funeral home, a once-splendid American gothic in rural Texas. His sense of family obligation and love for his eccentric, ailing father keep him from following his dreams. Anabelle is a beauty queen being groomed for the big time by her pushy, show-biz mother and creepy step-father. All her decisions are made for her – she’s just not sure she fits the part. Their lives are worlds apart, but they collide when Anabelle, in a moment of triumph, collapses and dies on a beauty pageant catwalk-and ends up on Elvis’s embalming table. What happens next is as magical as it is unexpected... POST PARTY: This screening will be part of the Saturday Night Centerpiece Gala. The post party will be held at the highy acclaimed Blue Coral Seafood and Spirits in Fashion Island. The restaurant will be featuring many of their signature appetizers and dishes. The bar will be hosted by Absolut vodka and Karl Strauss beer.

Emma and Jay are two young lovers who spend their days buying drugs, oblivious to everything around them. They soon figure they can make a living pulling armed robberies like Bonnie and Clyde and never be without drugs again. It's not long before things spiral out of control as they head toward that final score.

A tenderly offbeat romantic comedy, this love story about the English-speaking Mulligan and his Scandinavian girlfriend, Esther, asks the question, "Can love be a language of its own?"

An intimate and compelling journey by thirty-three young activists on the “Soulforce Equality Ride” across America and back. At some stops they're welcomed with open arms, at others they're arrested for trespassing or for simply attempting to open up a dialog. At every stop though, they're connecting with young people who've often never met an openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person who is comfortable with who they are. Can this small group of activists change a nation as their bus rolls down the highway? How will the road change them?

Join noted filmmakers and Academy Award nominees Roy E. Disney and Don Hahn as they present an unforgettable evening of rarely seen Disney animated shorts and experimental films. Roy and Don will screen a collection of short animated films that had limited theatrical presentations, many of which are not available for viewing on DVD. Roy E. Disney Roy Edward Disney is the son of Roy O. Disney and nephew of Walt Disney, founders of The Walt Disney Company. Born in Los Angeles on January 10, 1930, Roy practically grew up at The Walt Disney Studio, where his father managed business affairs, while his uncle inspired artists to create magical animated worlds for movie screens. He joined the studio in 1954, working as an assistant editor on the successful True-Life Adventure films, two of which won Academy Awards. Roy left the Studio in 1977 but returned in 1984 to serve as the Company's vice chairman and head of the animation department. During his tenure, Disney animation produced some of its greatest box office successes, including "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King." He currently serves as a consultant for The Walt Disney Company, and Director Emeritus for the Board of Directors. His most current project is as executive producer (along with co-producer Leslie DeMeuse-Disney) of the new film "Morning Light," to be released later this year, which chronicles one of the youngest crews ever to compete in the Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii. Don Hahn As a renowned film producer Don Hahn’s impressive film producing credits include such blockbusters as “The Lion King,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Beauty and the Beast” (the only animated feature in history to ever be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar). Don acted as producer on many of the films showcased this evening, several of which were nominated for Academy Awards for Best Animated Short.

With the rent past due a savvy college dropout and his roommate hatch a surreptitious plot to stave off homelessness. Hilarity ensues.

A beautiful day, traffic slows for the toll. Lyle Delp, in his small car has no change! Horns honk. Traffic stops. Tempers flare.

Short films screening in this program include: The Angel, The Job, Patience, The Road, Road to Holland, The Thread, X

Sam, a college student who is celebrating his 21st birthday, must realize that he can no longer live his life without getting on board. Like a subway station, decisions and chances come and go every second.