Newport Beach Film Festival Honors to Include William Shatner, Patricia Clarkson, Eugenio Derbez

The Newport Beach Film Festival has announced its 2023 Festival Honors. Among this year’s honorees are William Shatner, Patricia Clarkson, Eugenio Derbez, Todd Haynes, Glenn Howerton, Jack Huston, Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Jesse Williams. The festival will be held in person from Oct. 12-19, and the artists will be honored throughout the week.

Clarkson will receive the Artist of Distinction Award, which acknowledges one’s contribution to the arts and philanthropic endeavors as well as their commitment to telling unique and bold stories through their craft. Over the years, Clarkson has taken on a range of roles, earning an Oscar nomination for the 2003 film “Pieces of April” and winning a Golden Globe for her role in HBO’s “Sharp Objects.” She will be honored following a screening of her film “Monica” on Oct. 13 at the festival.

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Howerton, co-creator and star of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” who recently appeared in “Blackberry,” will also receive the Artist of Distinction Award at the closing night reception on Oct. 19.

Derbez, the Emmy-winning actor known for starring in the Oscar-winning film “CODA,” will receive the Icon Award, which is presented to an actor widely admired for their contribution to iconic roles in the industry. He will receive the award following a screening of his film “Radical” on Oct. 18.

Haynes, who has directed several films including “Safe,” “I’m Not There” and “Carol,” will receive the Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award on Oct. 15 at a screening of his newest film “May December,” starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman.

Huston, an actor known for “Mayfair Witches” and “The Irishman,” is making his feature directorial debut with the upcoming film “Day of the Fight,” starring Michael Pitt. Following a screening of the film, Huston will be honored with the Breakout Director Award on Oct. 13.

Also on that day, Oscar-winning producers Lord and Miller will receive the Maverick Award prior to a screening of their film “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”

To honor his legacy in the industry, Emmy-winning William Shatner will receive the Legend Award before a screening of his film “William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill” on Oct. 18.

Jesse Williams, known for his Tony-nominated role in “Take Me Out,” will be honored with the Arts Champion Award on Oct. 16 for his outstanding commitment to his community and cause.

The festival will also host a special screening of Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction” on Oct. 15, starring Jeffrey Wright, Adam Brody, Issa Rae, Keith David, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown. The film follows the story of Monk, a frustrated novelist fed up with the establish that profits from Black entertainment by relying on tired and offensive tropes. Hoping to prove his point, he then uses a pen name to write an outlandish Black book of his own. The book propels him to heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.

The 24th edition of the festival will spotlight 350 films from around the world.

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