Newport Beach Film Festival 2026: International Lineup and Variety's 10 Actors to Watch The Newport Beach Film Festival returns with more than 100 feature films and 250 shorts, spotlighting internaTional titles and Variety's top emerging actors. Newport Beach Film Festival 2026 Unveils International LineupThe 27th edition of the Newport Beach Film Festival, scheduled from Oct. 15 to 22, kicked off with the documentary "Frampton," chronicling the life of guitariSt Peter Frampton. The festival's closing night will feature Searchlight Pictures' drama "Behemoth!!," a tale about a prodigious cellist played by Pedro Pascal who returns to Los Angeles after two decades abroad. Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor and Alexa Swinton appear in the film, while director‑writer Tony Gilroy and production designer Jade Healy are slated to attend. In its core selection,the festival highlights big‑budget feature premieres such as Martin McDonagh's "Wild Horse Nine" starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, Anton Corbijn's "A Talent for Murder" with Helen Mirren and Alden Ehrenreich, James Gray's "Paper Tiger" headed by Adam Driver, Beth de Araújo's "Josephine," and Danny Boyles "Ink." Aaron Burns' "Jimmy," a biopic of Jimmy Stewart after his Oscar win, makes its West Coast debut and will be followed by a Q&A featuring KJ Apa. the international Spotlight section presents titles from 21 countries, including Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossis "La Bola Negra," a queer drama that premiered in Cannes with a standing ovation and later earned the 2026 TIFF People's Choice Award.Variety's 10 Actors to Watch and the "Honor Brunch"Variety has announced its annual 10 Actors to Watch list, celebrating emerging talent across film and television. The festival will host an "Honor Brunch" on Oct. 18 to honor the honorees. Past lists have included many Oscar nominees and winners, and this year's selection is expected to feature rising stars who are already making headlines.The event's organizers emphasize the festival's commitment to bold storytelling and diverse voices. CEO and executive director Gregg Schwenk stated that the lineup-spanning mysteries, character studies and international cinema-captures the "fearless voices" defining contemporary filmmaking. He highlighted films such as "A Talent for Murder," "Ink," and "Paper Tiger" as examples of the festival's edgy, narrative focus.Film Highlights and Behind‑the‑Scenes InsightsDocumentary choices include "Avedon," directed by Ron Howard, profiling photographer Richard Avedon,and "The Sixty‑Year Mission: How 'Star Trek' Changed Television and the World" by A. Altman. The world premiere of "As Far Back as I Can Remember … The Story of 'Goodfellas,'" created by Lisa Downs and Ashley Pugh, offers a fresh glance at the famed gangster film. Meanwhile, international titles such as an Iranian war drama and a Korean romantic comedy were selected for the Spotlight section, underscoring the festival's global reach.Notably, the festival will host the reunion of the cast and crew of "Jimmy" for a discussion led by cast member KJ Apa, giving audiences an inside look at the films production and Stewart's post‑Oscar career. the event promises a blend of high‑profile premieres, intimate Q&A sessions, and opportunities for emerging filmmakers to connect with a broad audience.