NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — The Newport Beach Film Festival has expanded its horizons with the return of the Newport Beach TV Fest, now in its second year.
This four-day celebration, taking place from June 4-7 at the Lido Theater, is dedicated to showcasing outstanding television and streaming content from around the world.
This year’s honorees include industry talents such as Mindy Kaling, the creative force behind “Not Suitable for Work,” Paul Anthony Kelly of “Love Story,” Owen Thiele from “Adults,” Thomas Doherty in “Paradise,” comedian Sebastian Maniscalco with “It Ain’t Right,” and “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane, among others.
The festival kicked off with an exclusive interview featuring Mindy Kaling, who was awarded the Artist of Distinction Award. The timing was fortuitous as her new series, “Not Suitable for Work,” had just achieved the top spot on Hulu.
“We just received the news yesterday,” Kaling revealed on Thursday evening. “All of us, the cast and crew, have been tirelessly promoting the show. Over 150 people contributed to its success, and this achievement makes me incredibly proud. I’m thrilled to be here, in Newport Beach for the first time, accepting this award,” she added with a touch of humor.
Having crafted a series of successful shows drawn from her own life experiences—such as “Never Have I Ever,” “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” and “Not Suitable for Work”—all inspired by her formative years, we asked Kaling if she plans to explore other aspects of her life in future projects.
We asked, “Could we ever see a show about motherhood? Writing? Show-running?”
“For sure. I tend to be the most creative about things that were long before, because I have to have like, a sense of perspective in order to write about them,” she explained. “So I definitely want to write about, I mean, I love shows about families, I love ‘Modern Family,’ I love the show ‘Parenthood.’ So I definitely want to contribute at some point to that genre, but I’m not sure about that being anytime soon. But I look at ‘The Mindy Project’ and I miss it, and I when I’m on set for ‘Running Point,’ which is a show obviously about grown ups, like I do miss like, a funny ensemble, like an adult workplace show.”
If you want to check out her new series, “Not Suitable for Work” releases new episodes Tuesdays on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
In addition to highlighting established talent like Kaling, the festival also works to celebrate new faces, presenting the Gold Derby Breakout Awards to Shabana Azeez (“The Pitt”), Thomas Doherty (“Paradise”), Paul Anthony Kelly (“Love Story”), Ashley Padilla (“SNL”), Owen Thiele (“Adults”) and Karolina Wydra (“Pluribus”).
We spoke with a few of the stars on the carpet Saturday night about the honor.
“I feel like the people I’m recognized with are so talented, beyond talented, so I’m so lucky to be here. I broke out! Finally. I have my first pimple,” Thiele joked.
Kelly shared that “I feel great. I feel elated, exhilarated. You know, my dreams are coming true. It’s a little like… okay! It’s a little humbling. It’s nice.”
Doherty was filled with gratitude, both for the award and for the people in his life.
“I feel very very honored, very flattered and incredibly fortunate. I mean, this industry- it’s not easy, you know. You get breaks and you get very fortunate. But you have to owe it to all of the people around you,” he said.
“Paradise,” “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” and “Adults” are streaming now on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
On Sunday, Sebastian Maniscalco will receive the Comedy Special of the Year Award for his “It Ain’t Right” comedy special on Hulu and MacFarlane the TV Performance of the Year Award.
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