Gregg Schwenk, CEO and co-founder of the Newport Beach Film Festival, shares what he loves about this city, cinema and some of his favorite local places.
By Sharon Stello
Newport Beach native Gregg Schwenk, CEO and co-founder of the Newport Beach Film Festival—which marks its 25th year this fall, Oct. 17-24—appreciates everything this city has to offer.
“I am very proud to call Newport Beach my home and have enjoyed growing up here and starting my own family in the area,” Schwenk says. “… First and foremost are the amazing people. Many of my friends I’ve known since elementary school. I believe this reflects the strong connection that our community has with one another.”
Schwenk’s family moved to Newport when he was only 2 months old, but he was actually born in Hollywood, perhaps foreshadowing his later involvement in the movie business. Schwenk’s background is in investment banking, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, while also serving as an adjunct faculty member in communications at California State University, Fullerton, for more than two decades.
When Schwenk and Todd Quartararo, who grew up nearby in Irvine, began planning to launch a film festival in the late 1990s, they immediately thought of Newport.
“[We] both felt that Newport Beach was the perfect backdrop for a major cinema event,” Schwenk says. “When you add in our location and our proximity to Hollywood, it makes a very strong combination. … Aside from the location and proximity, Newport Beach has incredible resorts, amazing restaurants and, by far, some of the best cinemas in Southern California.”
A passion for film also helped fuel Schwenk’s desire to start the local festival.
“Movies entertain us. That in itself is a very special and, in many ways, a miraculous achievement,” Schwenk says. “Beyond that, movies can transport us, can transform us and, for many people, they are the touchstones to key rites of passage. Everyone can remember where they first saw ‘Star Wars’ or ‘The Goonies’ or ‘Shrek’ or ‘The Princess Bride’ or ‘E.T.’ or the many other films which people rate as a personal favorite.”
Schwenk counts among his favorite films classics like “Citizen Kane,” “The Godfather” and “The Third Man” as well as science fiction/fantasy franchises including “Star Wars,” “Avatar” and “The Lord of the Rings.”
Over the years, the Newport Beach Film Festival has grown to present over 100 feature films, 30 short film programs and a dozen public parties, attracting 58,000 attendees annually.
“Both Todd and I are extremely proud of the growth and overall success of the Newport Beach Film Festival,” Schwenk says. “This success can directly be attributed to the wonderful members of our community, who, for the last 25 years, have given of their time, treasure and talent to build and grow the festival. We are tremendously excited about our lineup for both films and special events and encourage all members of our community to come out to the Newport Beach Film Festival.”
And, when he’s not busy working on the festival, Schwenk can be found at some of these local establishments in the town he calls home.
Rise and Shine
“I’ll try to start my day at KÉAN COFFEE in Newport,” Schwenk says. “I appreciate that they are a local company with a very deep history of not only great coffee but are also very supportive of our community.”
Midday Meals
“My lunchtime go-to place is BAMBOO BISTRO in Corona del Mar,” he says of the popular local Vietnamese restaurant. “The food is always amazing and the service is incredible.”
A Sweet Treat
“Special date night with my wife is at THE RESORT AT PELICAN HILL and we always stop to get the gelato, which is a perfect way to end the evening,” he says.
Getting Down to Business
“I will usually have business lunches at A&O RESTAURANT at the Balboa Bay Resort,” Schwenk says. “The setting is superb, and the food and service is impeccable.”
