NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — The Newport Beach Film Festival proudly introduces its second annual Newport Beach TV Fest, an event dedicated to celebrating outstanding television and streaming content from across the globe.
This year, the festival runs from June 4-7 at the Lido Theater, where it showcases a diverse array of exceptional international productions.
Among the honorees this year were Mindy Kaling, recognized as the creator of “Not Suitable for Work,” Paul Anthony Kelly for “Love Story,” Owen Thiele for “Adults,” Thomas Doherty for “Paradise,” Sebastian Maniscalco for “It Ain’t Right,” and Seth MacFarlane, known for “Family Guy,” along with many others.
The festival opened with a special appearance by Mindy Kaling, who was presented with the Artist of Distinction Award. Kaling had much to celebrate, as her latest series “Not Suitable for Work” recently premiered at the top spot on Hulu.
Speaking with On The Red Carpet, Kaling expressed her excitement, saying, “We found out yesterday. The entire cast has been working tirelessly to promote the show, and it’s gratifying to see our efforts pay off. Over 150 people contributed to this project, and their hard work has truly been rewarding. I’m thrilled to be here and honored by this award,” she remarked with a smile. “It’s my first time in Newport Beach, and I couldn’t be happier to celebrate this moment here.”
After creating hit after hit centered around her early years (“Never Have I Ever,” “The Sex Lives of College Girls” and “Not Suitable for Work”), which were loosely based on her experiences in high school, college and her 20s, we were curious whether we could see other facets of her life come to our TV screens.
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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