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Newport Beach, CA – The 2015 Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) proudly announces THE WATER DIVINER as its Opening Night film. The screening of THE WATER DIVINER will take place on Thursday, April 23rd, 2015 at 7:30pm at Lido Live (3459 Via Lido) followed by a gala reception at Fashion Island (401 Newport Center Drive). The 16th annual NBFF will run from April 23rd – April 30, 2015.

THE WATER DIVINER is an epic adventure set four years after the devastating 1915 World War I battle of Gallipoli in Turkey. Australian farmer Connor (Russell Crowe) travels to Istanbul to discover the fate of his sons, reported missing in the action, where he forges a relationship with the beautiful Turkish woman (Olga Kurylenko) who owns the hotel in which he stays. Holding on to hope, Connor must travel across the war-torn landscape with the help of a Turkish Officer, himself a veteran of the World War I battles. An extraordinary tale of love, faith and heroism, that explores the conflicted and unpredictable nature of war and of the human heart. The film also stars Jai Courtney, Isabel Lucas, Damon Herriman, Jacqueline McKenzie and Cem Yilmaz.

“Russell Crowe and his team have crafted a moving, thoughtful and truly beautiful film. The Newport Beach Film Festival is proud to be partnering with the Australian Government and Warner Bros. Entertainment to bring such powerful cinema to our audience” stated Gregg Schwenk, Executive Director/CEO of NBFF.

“G’Day USA and Ausfilm are delighted to, once again, partner with the Newport Beach Film Festival to bring the best of Australian film to US audiences and commemorate the centenary of Australian and New Zealand troops landing in Gallipoli Cove during World War One. Russell Crowe’s The Water Diviner pays homage to that defining moment in our nations’ history and we are thrilled that the Newport Beach Film Festival has chosen the film for opening night,” stated Australian Consul-General Los Angeles, Karen Lanyon.

Following the screening, the Festival will host an Opening Night gala at Fashion Island presented by Fashion Island and Esquire Magazine. The gala will feature culinary tastings from 25 of Orange County’s premiere restaurants, hosted bar by Tito’s Vodka, Stella Artois Beer and Remy Cointreau with a special performance from Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil.

The Newport Beach Film Festival will showcase more than 350 films from 50 countries and host nightly special events, red carpet galas, compelling conversations with filmmakers, international spotlight events and seminars. The Festival offers filmgoers unique opportunities to mingle with celebrities, filmmakers from around the globe and film industry professionals in a beautiful seaside locale.

For information about the Newport Beach Film Festival’s film screenings, galas and special events please visit there website