Because of a film project I'm currently involved in I was unable to attend the opening of the Newport Beach Film Festival.  I was doing story meetings with a producer who had flown in from North Carolina and we worked from Friday to Sunday.  The reason I mention this at all is because of some things that happened Saturday night, when I did attend, that involved him.  More on that later.

My first impressions of the festival this year, its 15th year, are overwhelmingly positive even at this early point.  There's something different about this year. It's the same basic NBFF but there's more energy, excitement.  The volunteers have always been the best part of the festival - enthusiastic, personable, wonderful people who spend a great part of their lives giving to this event to make it fun and easy to attend.  But beyond that, there's just such a tremendous sense of professionalism in every facet that hasn't always been a part of this great event.