On November 3rd, the Newport Beach International Film Festival hosted a red carpet event featuring “Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch” at the 5-Star resort in Orange County, The Resort at the Pelican Hill in Newport Beach. Moderated by Variety’s Deputy Awards and Features Editor, Jenelle Riley.
Variety 10 actor’s to watch
- Jessie Buckley (Judy, Wild Rose, “Chernobyl”);
- Cynthia Erivo (“The Color Purple,” Harriet);
- Maya Hawke (“Stranger Things,” Once Upon A Time in Hollywood);
- Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (Luce, Waves);
- Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place, Ford V Ferrari, Honey Boy);
- Rob Morgan (The Last Black Man In San Francisco, Just Mercy);
- Camila Morrone (Mickey and the Bear);
- Glen Powell (Hidden Figures, Top Gun: Maverick);
- Margaret Qualley (“Fosse/Verdon,” Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Seberg);
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“On Becoming a God in Central Florida”)
The Icon Award went to Alfre Woodard (Clemency, 10 Years a Slave)
and the Artists of Distinction Awards went to:
- Stephanie Beatriz (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” upcoming In the Heights)
- Allen Leech (Downton Abbey, Bohemian Rhapsody)
- Tracy Letts (Ford v Ferrari, Little Women)
- Melissa Rauch (The Laundromat, “The Big Bang Theory”)
At the Red Carpet:
I asked the following artists what it was like to be part of this event:
Cynthia Erivo
The Tony, Grammy and Emmy award winning star who also delivered a powerful performance in the recent movie “Harriet” said, “I feel really great. Actually, it’s really wonderful to be considered that. Variety has been amazing and they’ve been incredible support so I’m just pleased to be here really. Feels great.”
Stephanie Beatriz
Stephanie Beatriz starred as the female lead in the independent feature film “The Light of the Moon”, which premiered at the 2017 South by Southwest Film Festival won the Audience Award for Narrative Feature Competition. She will soon be appearing in the film adaptation of the Broadway Musical “In the Heights”.
“It’s absolutely thrilling. It’s a huge honor to be recognized not only by Variety but also by Newport Beach International Film Festival and so to have them say that body of work that you’re creating …. ‘We’re excited by it, we’re behind it , we want you , we want you to do more of it’, that’s really a wonderful thing. I think many times artists kinda keep their heads down stay looking at their paper trying to make the best things that they can but it’s nice to look up and have somebody be like ‘A+!'”
Jesse Buckley
Best known for her role in Chernobyl mini series became the highest rated TV series in IMDB’s history. She also appeared in the movie Judy, which starred Renee Zelwegger.
“It’s really an honor. The work is the most exciting part of it all and everything else is icing on the cake…inspired by the work they do and is a fact.”
Noah Jupe
A 14-year-old English actor who was featured in George Clooney-directed dark comedy film “Suburbicon”. Jupe was also in the well-reviewed horror film “A Quiet Place” and is nominated for Spirit Awards as a Supporting Male actor for Honeyboy which recounts Shia Le Bouf’s upbringing as a child star.
“I’m blown away. I’m so thankful. I don’t deserve it … I just feel very lucky to be here.”
Camila Morrone
Camila Morrone is an Argentine model and American actress. She made her acting debut in James Franco’s 2013 film “Bukowski”. Morrone is known for the movie “Mickey and the Bear” which she played the lead role.
“I’m totally honored. I live like an hour away so I grew up here. This is like a cool easy vibes. And a good way to honor people that I really admire.”
Kelvin Harrison Jr.
When Kelvin was just starting his career as an actor, he became part of the acclaimed movie “12 years of Slave.” In 2019, Kelvin played two major roles – “Luce” and his latest film “Waves”.
“I’m so excited. I’m so grateful. This is a crazy group of people. I love the people at Newport Beach International Film Festival. We opened “Luce” here and I’m so grateful for that. This is a beautiful place and the food is delicious. This is exciting.”
At The Reception
Gregg Schwenk founder and CEO of Newport Beach International Film Festival gave an introduction to “Variety’s 10 actors to watch” event.
“When Todd Quartararo and I founded the festival, we knew, there was no better setting for international film festival than Newport Beach. That was 21 years go, and we are in awe, truly what the film festival has become. The Newport Beach Film Festival is now the largest film festival in the nation and the top luxury lifestyle film festival in the West Coast. Every year we are committed to giving a platform to both domestic and international filmmakers in both feature and short film categories. And we encourage you… this is the most important part of the festival is ‘It all starts with you. It starts with the creative minds who write the great screenplays, the incredible people who direct and the amazing people who act.”
Tracy Letts (Artist of Distinction)
“I really admire this program and addressing these young talent …. these young actors …I think it’s really important to support young artists in this culture. And so I’m really happy to be a part of that.
Alfre Woodard (Icon Award) is an accomplished actress and nominated 18 times for an Emmy and winning four. Upon going on stage she gave a speech for the young generation of Hollywood.
“I realized a lot of my purpose here today is to say to you “ones to watch” you breakthrough beauties who are just budding with promise and to your wanders who have already burst full bloom into your craft to remind you to make this a joyride. as you continue to practice your craft and your discipline,… all you gonna be doing is refining and refining not just your actual work but with consciousness, you’ll be refining yourself as a human being cause after all we are in the people business. Make sure the fuel you use for your trajectory is how sincerely you commit your work for the benefit of the people. It’s not about us, we’ve been called to serve.”
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