Newport Beach Film Fest Adds Screening and Talk on ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,’ Along With Mark Ronson, Rainn Wilson Discussions

The Newport Beach Film Festival has added a screening of “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret” to its Fashion Island main stage line-up. The screening on Sunday, Oct. 15 will include a Q&A with author Judy Blume, writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and producers James L. Brooks and Julie Ansell.

This year’s festival will also feature conversations with Rainn Wilson and music producer and songwriter Mark Ronson. The events are free of charge.

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The screening of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” will take place at The Lot. The Lionsgate film stars Abby Ryder as 11-year old Margaret, who is uprooted from her life in New York City to move to New Jersey, where she deals with the challenges of puberty with new friends in a new school. Margaret’s mother, played by Rachel McAdams and her grandmother, played by Kathy Bates, help her cope with her new life.

“Barbie” composer Mark Ronson will receive the Outstanding Achievement in Music Award on Saturday, Oct. 14. Following that presentation at 3 p.m., actor, producer and writer Rainn Wilson will sign his book “Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution” accompanied by a discussion.

The 24th Newport Beach Film Festival runs Oct. 12-19. Tickets are available at the festival’s website.

Also screening at the festival are Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” opening night film “The Absence of Eden,” “Eileen,” “Fingernails,” “May December,” “Nyad,” “Remembering Gene Wilder,” “American Fiction” and “Susan Feniger: Forked.”

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