In support of aspiring filmmakers

The 2006 Newport Beach Film Festival opened this week. On Wednesday evening, prior to Thursday’s gala opening event, an intimate dinner unfolded at the Bungalow in Corona del Mar.

A society of young professionals in the Newport-Mesa community known as Next@Barclay sponsored what was billed as The Directors’ Dinner, inviting some of the filmmakers participating in the festival to get up close and personal with the O.C. scene.

The evening began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the lower terrace of the restaurant. The handsome young crowd converged at sunset, mingling with special guests Aric Avelino, Randy Walker, Jennifer Shainin and C. Rich Wilson, who had come to share their passion for film, show clips between courses and talk shop.

It was the perfect setting, and the perfect opportunity for the members of Next@Barclay to support the film festival, which is gaining attention as a respected forum for the art of film.

Next@Barclay’s main mission is to support the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Their slogan is “passion for arts, careers and community.” These are young professionals who understand the benefit of culture and its positive effects on life and commerce in this community.

Sipping Chardonnay and sampling grilled artichokes and crab cakes, the crowd surrounded filmmaker Avelino, whose “American Gun” will show at the festival. Avelino is a child of the O.C., graduating from Mater Dei High School in 1995.

“I have given my all to this project for more than five years,” he said. “This is a very serious film about the effect of guns in America.”

Avelino went on to explain that his movie takes place in several large American cities, and that he has a major cast of actors, including Donald Sutherland. Avelino told the crowd that he was able to convince Sutherland, Marcia Gay Harden and Forrest Whittaker to star in his film for minimal pay based on the strength of the script, the importance of its message and his own determination to get the project done.

Last year the Newport Beach Film Festival hosted the American premiere of “Crash,” another serious film dealing with irrational violence in American society. “Crash” received the Oscar for best picture of 2005 at the recent Academy Awards. Based on initial impressions, reviews and buzz, Avelino is a filmmaker to watch.

As a wonderful dinner was served in the candlelit outdoor pavilion, offering a selection of filet mignon, grilled swordfish or porterhouse pork chops, filmmaker C. Rich Wilson showed clips of “Step Into Liquid” and “Dust to Glory,” the documentary action-sports films he has made with Dana Brown. Also sharing with the crowd were Randy Walker and Jennifer Shainin, showcasing their film “Apart from That.” The pair talked about the challenge and reward of telling a personal story using real people rather than professional actors.

The evening was chaired on behalf of Next@Barclay by Alex Bhathal, with assistance from his charming sister Lisa Bhathal Vogel. Bhathal introduced George Webb to the dinner crowd as the next president of the group.

Also present was Geoff Patino, director of features and documentaries for the Newport Beach Film Festival. Jim Walker, owner of the Bungalow and dinner underwriter, was front and center, ensuring a successful evening. Spotted in the crowd were Paul Makarechian, Doug Cesario, Bette McCalister, Jennifer Mancini Phillips, Delphine Channels, Diana Cook and Kevin Mitchell.