IFTA is delighted to support the Irish Spotlight event at the 26th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival, taking place on Sunday 19th October. The festival will showcase a fantastic selection of Irish features and shorts.

This evening celebration of Irish cinema and culture will feature the North American premieres of the films Báite, Christy, The Unsinkable Entrepreneur, and A Sip of Irish followed by a festive celebration of Irish culture and cuisine.

The event puts a spotlight on great Irish films and filmmakers, bringing Irish storytelling to the North American festival audience.

In addition to the Irish Showcase selections, the Festival will screen several feature narratives, documentaries, and short films representing the best in contemporary Irish cinema.

The Irish Spotlight films will screen at Regal Edwards Big Newport (300 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA) on October 19th. A Sip of Irish will screen at THE LOT in Fashion Island (999 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA). The post-screening celebration will take place at Muldoon’s Irish Pub (202 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA), featuring live music and hosted hors d'oeuvres.

The Newport Beach Film Festival is proud to screen Báite, directed by Ruán Magan. This touching movie boasts a talented cast including Eleanor O’Brien, Moe Dunford, Oisín Mistéil, Padraig O’Loinsigh, Mark MacGearailt, and Fionnuala Gygax. Báite follows Peggy Casey as she attempts to leave for a fishing trip but is foiled when a body is found in a nearby lake. Detective Sergeant Frank Ryan is sent over from Dublin and what he discovers sheds a disturbing insight into the history of the valley and the difficult relationships that bind Peggy and the members of her family.

Directed by Brendan Canty, Christy features a stellar cast including Danny Power, Diarmuid Noyes and Emma Willis. The film tells the story of two estranged brothers, with a chequered background in the care system, grappling with their past and resolve to unite over one summer in Cork city. 

The Unsinkable Entrepreneur, an adventure filled documentary directed by Craig Stuart Garfinkle, follows Edna O’Coineen as he fulfills his life-long dream of competing in The Vendeé Globe; a solo, non-stop and unassisted round-the-world sailing race, arguably the toughest sailing competition in the world. This film is more than just a story about race, it’s about what it takes to succeed in any arduous endeavor. The film stars Edna O’Coineen as himself and Aedin Gormley.

The critically acclaimed and humorous documentary film, A Sip of Irish, celebrates the incredible story of Ireland's contribution to the culinary and drinks world with some surprises along the way. Directed by Frank Mannion, The Mail called it “poured to perfection, raise a glass to this cinematic gem”. 

This film features major Irish liquor brands including Guinness, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Jameson. Starring Jameson whiskey blender Deirdre O’Carroll and Rory Guinness with appearances from Sam Neill and Russell Crowe.

Retirement Plan, an animated short directed by John Kelly, tells the story of Ray (Domhnall Gleeson), who in the throes of his overstimulated, energy poor midlife, fantasizes about everything he’d love to do in retirement once he finally has the “time.” Retirement Plan will screen before each of the Irish Spotlights.

The Festival takes place October 16-23, 2025. For passes and tickets, visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com.