The Circuit

Newport Beach fest wrapped with "Fugitive Pieces" pocketing a load of awards, including best film, best director and script for Jeremy Podeswa, and best cinematographer for Gregory Middleton.

"Elvis and Anabelle," which recently won an award at Sonoma Valley fest, got acting honors for Joe Mantegna and Blake Lively. 

"The Art of Travel" won Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking.  It also won Best Film at Sonoma Valley.

JURY AWARDS

Best Film - Fugitive Pieces

Best Actor - Nadim Sawalha, Captain Abu Raed

Best Actress - Rana Sultan, Captain Abu Raed

Best Director - Jeremy Podeswa, Fugitive Pieces

Best Cinematographer - Gregory Middleton, Fugitive Pieces

Best Screenplay - Jeremy Podeswa, Fugitive Pieces

Best Documentary Film - Mardick: From Baghdad to Hollywood

2008 NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL HONORS

Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking - The Art Of Travel

Outstanding Performance in Acting - Mark Webber, The Good Life

Outstanding Performance in Acting - Joe Mantegna, Elvis and Anabelle

Outstanding Performance in Acting - Lake Bell, Still Waters

Outstanding Performance in Acting - Shelly Cole, The Village Barbershop 

Breakout Performance - Chris Klein, The Good Life 

Breakout Performance - Blake Lively, Elvis and Anabelle

Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking - Lie to Me

Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking - Elvis and Anabelle

Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking - What We Do Is Secret

Outstanding Achievement in Directing - Richie Mehta, Amal

Humanitarian Vision Award  - Camp Woz: The Admirable Lunacy of Philanthropy

Humanitarian Vision Award - For Tomorrow

Outstanding Achievement in Documentary - Hollywood Singing and Dancing

Outstanding Achievement in Documentary - Flow: For Love Of Water

Outstanding Achievement in Documentary - Trying To Get Good: The Jazz Odyssey of Jack Sheldon

Outstanding Achievement in Documentary - Beautiful Losers

Outstanding Achievement in Action Sports Filmmaking - Under The Sun

Outstanding Achievement in Family Filmmaking -The Adventures of Food Boy

Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking Cinematography - Night

Outstanding Achievement in Short Documentary Filmmaking - On Great White Wings

Laszlo Kovacs Cinematography Award - Red Like the Sky

The Newport Beach Film Festival has created the "Chuck Jones Award for Excellence in Animation" for their 2008 event.  Named after the Bugs Bunny creator, the award will go to someone who "best exemplifies artistic achievement and innovation in the field of animation."  They'll receive a special animation cel of Jones' work and a cash award.

The Newport Beach Film Festival runs April 24 – May 1, 2008.