Students set up screening soiree

Although most of those who work at the Newport Beach Film Festival are volunteers, a group of Cal State Fullerton students has something more than their time invested in the project: They’re getting school credit.

Those who organize the festival’s international film “spotlights” do so as part of a course at Fullerton taught by festival director Gregg Schwenk.

Student Pamela Mammen helped coordinate the screening of the Korean film “Typhoon,” which premieres in the Edwards Island Theaters at Fashion Island. The film follows Sin, a South Korean man bent on revenge against the entire Korean peninsula, and Kang, the naval agent pursuing him.

The evening begins at 7 p.m. with Korean classic dancers performing in front of the theaters, followed by the film and a party. Held at Fashion Island’s Anthropologie, the after-hours event will feature Korean food and goody baskets stocked with stainless steel chopsticks, snacks, and mugs and caps provided by the Korean Culture Center.

Mammen says success will be marked by community support.

“Our No. 1 goal for the event has been connecting with the Korean community,” Mammen said. “I think we achieved it.”

This is the first year for a Korean showcase, and it forced Mammen to “start from scratch” and engage with a culture that is new to her.

“I’m Spanish,” Mammen said. “I just wanted that extra adventure of learning about something different.”

“The class [at Cal State Fullerton] has been extremely enjoyable and educational for those of us interested in a public relations career,” said another organizer, Myrna Flynn. Flynn’s group coordinated Monday night’s Spanish spotlight, featuring the film “Americano,” starring Dennis Hopper and Joshua Jackson.

The film follows a group of expatriates during the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. Though it features a Hollywood cast, the film was shot entirely in Spain.

The event’s coordinators, Kelly Scribner and Heather Ochoa, began planning in August. Aside from finding the film, Scribner’s group was charged with every other aspect of planning, including contacting sponsors and arranging press kits, a venue and food.

“Basically, we were told, ‘You’re responsible for Spanish night. Go,’” Scribner said.

“The Fullerton students have worked well as a team to produce several international spotlights and family events,” said festival coordinator Meghan McGarvey. “It definitely enhanced the experience for festival attendees.”dpt.25-film_fest-kt-CPhotoInfoKO1Q9F2T20060425iy938mncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Cal State Fullerton student Myrna Flynn fills gift bags given out at Monday night’s Spanish spotlight film screening of “Americano.”