Ten Rising Stars Debate Craft and Confidence at Newport Beach Film Festival
A panel of ten actors, including Jaafar Jackson and Inde Navarrette, discussed their approaches to complex roles during a moderated event in California.
By Julian Kobayashi ·
Ten actors took the stage in Newport Beach, California, on October 18 to discuss their craft. The group was selected by Variety for its 2026 list of performers to watch. The conversation took place at the Balboa Bay Resort in a partnership with the Newport Beach Film Festival.
The panel featured a mix of established and emerging talent. Jaafar Jackson, known for his role in “Michael,” joined Inde Navarrette from “Obsession.” The lineup also included Ray Nicholson from “The Mosquito Bowl” and Esmé Creed-Miles from “Sense and Sensibility.” Mariana Di Girólamo, Rosalind Eleazar, and Guitarricadelafuente rounded out the group, representing films such as “Wild Horse Nine,” “Misty Green,” and “La Bola Negra.” Summer H. Howell, Ruth Madeley, and Joseph Zada completed the ten-person panel, bringing projects like “Carrie,” “Being Heumann,” and “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” to the discussion.
Inde Navarrette focused her remarks on the difficulty of portraying her character, Nikki, in “Obsession.” She noted that there was very little source material based on the real person. Navarrette said she felt a freedom to interpret the role in a specific way. She described the character’s complications as her most beautiful trait. Navarrette observed that many women approached her after seeing the film to say they recognized themselves in Nikki. She emphasized that people contain multiple layers of identity, a complexity she finds compelling.
Jaafar Jackson addressed the challenge of embodying his uncle, Michael Jackson. He explained that his goal was to avoid appearing as a first-time actor. Jackson said he wanted to bring a seasoned presence to the set while continuing to learn. He described the need to be prepared for unexpected changes on shooting days. Jackson aimed to stay within the mindset of Michael Jackson at all times, allowing the performance to reflect the icon’s confidence and awareness.
The event served as a platform for these ten actors to share their professional insights. The panelists discussed the specific demands of their respective roles. Their comments highlighted the varied approaches to performance and character development in contemporary cinema.
Source: Variety
