2017 / Newport Beach Film Festival to feature “The Long Excuse” (Nagai iiwake) at Japanese Spotlight event, April 24, 27

Newport Beach Film Festival to feature “The Long Excuse” (Nagai iiwake) at Japanese Spotlight event, April 24, 7:30PM & April 27, 5:00PM

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Newport Beach, Calif. – On Monday, April 24, 2017 the 18th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) will present its Japanese Spotlight, an evening celebration of Japanese cinema and culture.

The event will feature the U.S. Premiere of the highly anticipated film, The Long Excuse (Nagai iiwake), followed by a festive Pacific Rim Gala.

The Long Excuse is based on a book about a widowed writer who lost his wife in a bus crash. He tries to come to terms with her death by taking care of children of a man who also lost his wife in the same exact accident.

This highly anticipated film is directed by the renowned writer, Miwa Nishikawa, who also wrote the screenplay and novel. It stars Motoki Masahiro, Takehara Pistol, Fujita Kenshin, Shiratori Tamaki, Horiuchi Keiko, Ikematsu Sousuke, Kuroki Haru, Yamada Maho, and Fukatsu Eri.

“The Festival continues a proud tradition of presenting the very best in Japanese Cinema. The Long Excuse is a moving, captivating film.” stated Gregg Schwenk, CEO of the NBFF.

The Japanese Spotlight film will screen on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 7:30pm at Edwards Big Newport (300 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660).

1st screening of The Long Excuse on April 24, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
2nd screening of The Long Excuse on April 27, 5:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Following the screening the Festival will host its annual Pacific Rim Gala at Design Within Reach at SOCO (3303 Hyland Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626). The evening will feature hosted bars by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, signature tastings by top Orange County restaurants, multiple DJs and live entertainment.

The 2017 Newport Beach Film Festival Japanese Spotlight is supported by Design Within Reach, Japan Film Society, Japan Connection, Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Japanese American Citizens League, Asian Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles.

Admission to the Japanese Spotlight film and Pacific Rim Gala is $45.
Admission to Pacific Rim Gala is $25 / Film screening only is $20.
The minimum age for attendees is 21 years old.

For ticket information and updates visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com