The Prizes and the Voters

The Newport Beach International Film Festival is a juried competition. The festival jury will give prizes in six categories at a ceremony and festival tribute (honoring Michael York) to be held April 2 at the Cannery Restaurant in Newport Beach.

Jury Award: The festival’s top prize, given to the best film as decided by an eight-person jury.

Audience Award: Festival moviegoers will be given ballots before each screening to nominate their favorite entries.

Maverick Award: To the best use of film on a budget, noteworthy filmmaker of the future or industry innovator. The jury may give more than one award.

Documentary Award and Student Film Award: Both selected by the jury.

The Short Film Award: Presented by the editors of the Short Cinema Journal.

The festival’s jury comprises Leigh Steinberg, a sports lawyer said to be the model for the title character in the movie “Jerry Maguire”; Pepe Serna, actor and visual artist; Greg Haskin, staffer for Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach); Bill Valentine, chairman of the Newport Beach Arts Commission; Jim Woodin, an executive of the Edwards Cinema chain; actress Kieu Chinh (“The Joy Luck Club”); entertainment lawyer Wylie Aitken and Jeffrey S. Conner, executive director of the festival.