Pedro Pascal’s ‘Behemoth!’ to Close Newport Beach Film Festival
Pedro Pascal stars in Behemoth, the closing film for the 27th Newport Beach Film Festival. Director Tony Gilroy will attend the event.
The 27th annual Newport Beach Film Festival has announced a star-studded conclusion to its upcoming edition. The highly anticipated film ‘Behemoth!’, starring global sensation Pedro Pascal, has been selected to serve as the closing night feature on October 22.
The festival, which stands as the largest international cinema event in coastal Southern California, is set to draw more than 50,000 attendees this year. The selection of ‘Behemoth!’ brings significant prestige to the event, especially with the confirmed attendance of key creative minds behind the project.
A Musical Journey with Pedro Pascal
In ‘Behemoth!’, Pedro Pascal delivers a compelling performance as Alex Serian, a gifted cellist. The narrative follows Alex as he returns to Los Angeles after two decades of life on the road, only to find himself embarking on an adventure that promises to change his life forever.
The film is noted for its rich auditory landscape, featuring contributions from nine different composers. While the festival will showcase the film, the official wide premiere is scheduled for December 4.
Exclusive Q&A with Tony Gilroy and Jade Healy
Adding to the excitement for film enthusiasts, writer-director Tony Gilroy and production designer Jade Healy are slated to attend the closing night festivities. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to participate in an intimate conversation and a question-and-answer session with the creators before the screening begins.
“We couldn’t have picked a better way to celebrate 27 years of Newport than closing with a filmmaker as exciting as Tony Gilroy,” stated Gregg Schwenk, CEO and executive director of the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Schwenk further emphasized the unique nature of the festival, noting that the film tells a deeply personal story regarding the demands of a life dedicated to music. He highlighted that having Gilroy and Healy present in person provides the kind of "up-close experience" that distinguishes Newport from other festivals across the country.
Festival Lineup and Highlights
Running from October 15 to 22, the Newport Beach Film Festival boasts a diverse and eclectic lineup. Beyond the grand finale, the program includes several notable titles such as:
- A Talent for Murder
- Ink
- Josephine
- La Bola Negra
- The Only Living Pickpocket in New York
- Paper Tiger
- Wild Horse Nine
Another major highlight will be the screening of ‘Jimmy’, a biopic of Jimmy Stewart directed by Aaron Burns. The cast and crew of the biopic are also expected to participate in a post-screening Q&A session.
The festival continues its tradition of high-caliber closing films. Last year, the event concluded with Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’, which featured a powerhouse cast including Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Oscar Isaac, and Christoph Waltz.