Newport Beach Film Festival 2008

The Grim Reaper appears to his prospective victims in human form and spends a week with them before deciding on whether or not they should die.

Short films screening in this program include: Armed for the Challenge, Kick Like A Girl, Raising the Skates

America’s original shock-jock, Petey Greene, overcame poverty, drug addiction and prison-time to “tell it like it is,” shocking and entertaining everyone from the ghetto to the White House. During an era of civil unrest in our nation’s capital, Petey used taboo words and ideas, forcing people to confront their own prejudices on his raw, uncensored TV and radio shows. His explosive language and brash style unsettled the establishment as Petey battled both the system and his own demons on the journey to becoming a leading activist during some of our country’s most turbulent years. “Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene” is narrated by Don Cheadle, who portrayed Petey in the feature film “Talk to Me.”

Ezra is a top student at Timpview High School with big goals—he’s determined to make his life extraordinary. His goals get more complicated when food spontaneously begins shooting from his hands at exactly the wrong time, causing massive chaos.Ezra quickly uses his newfound “gift” to improve his status at school and the social prospects of his friends Shelby, Joel and Dylan. But as this power begins to take over his life, Ezra is forced to confront his own talents and how best to use them. He must decide if he agrees with his Grandma’s advice that “not all superheroes fight crime.”

Short films screening in this program include: All Saints Day, Crenshaw Nights, Dusk, The Needful Head

Calling All Cons! With the 70th anniversary of Alcatraz penitentiary fast approaching, National Park Service Ranger John Cantwell is inviting every known ex-Alcatraz inmate - and their former cell house guards - back to the Rock for an Alcatraz Alumni Gathering. Determined to capture this story, director John Paget travels the continent in search of any surviving ex-prisoners of Alcatraz. They were America's most dangerous public enemies - but where are they now?

Still mourning the death of her mother a few years back, Alice McKinley’s life is disrupted when her father buys a store and moves her and her older brother to a new town. In the throes of adolescence, Alice has a rough time adjusting to her new school, especially after she gets the stern Mrs. Plotkin as her teacher. Shy and isolated, Alice frequently escapes into a vivid fantasy life that occasionally gets her into trouble. But with some help from Mrs. Plotkin, she learns not to judge based on appearances or jump to conclusions. More importantly, she confronts her father over his inability to accept their loss and move on into the future.

This pass allows one addmission for the pass holder to all films and events. It includes the Opening Night Film and Gala, Closing Night Film and Gala and all spotlight events. To ensure entry the passholder needs to arrive 20 minutes prior to the screening or event.

On the morning after Halloween, a young man celebrates his birthday on his porch and has an introspective encounter with a Halloween straggler, bruised by her first encounter with NYC nightlife.