Newport Beach Film Festival 2008

Traditional ballet has been an inspiration for many. Ballerinas practice a rare art form and captivate audiences throughout the world. This is the portrayal of five different Russian ballerinas from the Mariinski Theater. The journey of the modern Russian ballerina, from acceptance into dance school to success as an accomplished ballerina, is captured. An intimate look at the lives, hard work, and universe of these women unveils the influence that Russian ballerinas have on their spectators.

Here we celebrate the spirit behind one of the most influential cultural movements of a generation. In the early 1990's a loose-knit group of likeminded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the “establishment” art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture. Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories...speaking to themes of what happens when the outside becomes “in” as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today's youth. CLOSING NIGHT GALA: Following the film, please join us for our Gala Closing Night celebration of the 2008 Newport Beach Film Festival. This celebration will be held at the Via Lido Plaza. Eight award winning restaurants will serve their signature dishes. Bar will be hosted by Level vodka and Karl Strauss beer. The event is sponsored by Via Lido Plaza and the Fritz Duda Company.

Set in South India in 1937, as the spark of nationalism is breaking through, the film focuses on the dilemma of people who straddle two worlds. An ambitious British planter Henry Moores wants to enlarge his spice plantation and takes out a loan to build a road before the monsoons. The success of his plan depends on his field manager, T.K. Neelan, a man he calls his friend. Moores makes promises to his Indian housekeeper, Sajani and in the process, runs the risk of being shunned by society and becoming the target of her violent, jealous husband. Trapped between a self-serving employer and his own people, T.K. conveys his loyalty to the man who extended friendship only to find the friendship proved worthless.

This short film is a documentary of the life of Coco Chanel.

Follow Tanner Hall, Seth Morrison, Kyle Petersen, Sean Pettit, Callum Pettit, Anthony Borownowski, Ian Provo, Dan Treadway, CR Johnson around the world as they take skiing to a new level: from sessions in chest deep blower pow at Mt. Baker to a little cat time in Retallack, British Columbia. The journey continues while picking up major speed through Whistler, B.C., then on to a massive roadside session in Japan as the crew mashes the all time dirtiest pillows in Mica and up North to Haines, Alaska as Seth Morrison throws a 150+ double front flip to stop!

A middle-aged slacker living in a rundown, graffiti-ridden slum, Daisoto’s job involves being shocked by bolts of electricity that transform him into a stocky, stick-wielding giant several stories high who is entrusted with defending Japan from a host of bizarre monsters. But while his predecessors were national heroes, he is a pariah among the citizens he protects, who bitterly complain about the noise and destruction of property he causes. And Daisato has his own problems – an agent insistent on branding him with sponsor advertisements, an Alzheimer-afflicted grandfather who transforms into a giant in dirty underwear, and a family who is embarrassed by his often cowardly exploits.

Short films screening in this program include: Aquarium, China, Deface, A Short Film By Chris Pare

Fleeing a pack of henchman on the Mexican side of the border, Juan hops a truck transporting illegals from Mexico to New York City. En route he befriends Pedro, an innocent from central Mexico who is headed to New York to seek his rich restaurateur father, Diego. Pedro shows Juan a sealed letter that his mother, now dead has given him – an introduction to the father he never knew. When the truck pulls into New York City, Pedro wakes to find both his belongings and his new friend gone without a trace. He is cast onto the street and stumbles around, lost in an unknown city. Juan, meanwhile, shows up at Diego’s door with the letter, claiming to be his long-lost son, Pedro.

In a tension-filled boardroom meeting, a young executive must defend his plan to turn around an ailing division of a large home-improvement company.