Today was my first full day of Newport! I intro-ed some films, met some new folks, had my first panel and raised some hell. Oh, and saw some great films too. I love festivals for the whirlwind of experience. You meet amazing people who have done really incredible work, and as quickly as you meet and swap stories, you are on to the next wonderful experience.

The opening film last night was a real stunner, Quinceañera. It starred two relatively unknown actors (Jesse Garcia, pictured center, with ME!, and Ryan from A&E Indie Films) who relay a multilayered composition about the coming-of-age of a Latina in Echo Park Los Angeles. It was an unexpected gem that set the right tone for the International Film Fest!

I moderated Q&A with 51 Birch Street today and had the opportunity to meet Doug’s lovely sister Karen. You know how I feel about that film (or can look into back posts), so the chance to share it with an audience was particularly fun for me.

I moderated a discussion with Richard Burgi, who is currently working on Desperate Housewives. Totally outside of my milieu, but I think it went well and I was happy to have a small but engaged group the first panel that I programmed for the fest. (The weather is unbelievably bad and probably keeping folks at home…)

My work is done for the day. Check out my pics from opening night on Flickr. I already have good pics today and I haven’t yet hit tonights party. Yeah film fests!