Variety's 10 Actors to Watch Panel Held at Newport Beach Film Festival
Jaafar Jackson and Inde Navarrette were among the 2026 honorees at the Balboa Bay Resort event, moderated by Variety on October 18.
Variety held its 2026 10 Actors to Watch panel at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, California, on October 18, in partnership with the Newport Beach Film Festival. The outlet moderated the conversation with this year's honorees.
The 2026 selection includes Jaafar Jackson for Michael, Inde Navarrette for Obsession, Ray Nicholson for The Mosquito Bowl, Esmé Creed-Miles for Sense and Sensibility, Mariana Di Girólamo for Wild Horse Nine, Rosalind Eleazar for Misty Green, Guitarricadelafuente for La Bola Negra, Summer H. Howell for Carrie, Ruth Madeley for Being Heumann and Joseph Zada for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Jackson spoke about preparing to portray his uncle Michael Jackson in Michael, saying he wanted to appear experienced rather than as a first-time actor.
Navarrette discussed playing the character Nikki in Obsession and the limited real-life material available on Nikki.
Quick answers
Who was selected for Variety's 2026 10 Actors to Watch?
The list includes Jaafar Jackson for Michael, Inde Navarrette for Obsession, Ray Nicholson for The Mosquito Bowl, Esmé Creed-Miles for Sense and Sensibility, Mariana Di Girólamo for Wild Horse Nine, Rosalind Eleazar for Misty Green, Guitarricadelafuente for La Bola Negra, Summer H. Howell for Carrie, Ruth Madeley for Being Heumann and Joseph Zada for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Where and when was the 2026 panel held?
It was held at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, California, on October 18, in partnership with the Newport Beach Film Festival.