San Diego International Film Festival Brings Oscar Night Glamour to La Jolla

On the evening of March 15, Hollywood glamour traded traffic for ocean views as the San Diego International Film Festival hosted an elegant Oscar night viewing party at one of La Jolla’s most breathtaking private estates.

Guests arrived by way of a red carpet before settling in to watch the Academy Awards live, with the Pacific shimmering just beyond the terrace. Hosted at the beautiful home of television personality Trieger Strasberg, the evening felt intimate, polished, and wonderfully unforced.

Cocktails were thoughtfully crafted, the charcuterie was appropriately extravagant, and the cupcakes topped with gold-coated chocolate Oscar statuettes understood the assignment. Every detail struck that lovely balance between celebratory and chic.

At the center of the evening was Tonya Mantooth, whose leadership continues to elevate the San Diego International Film Festival’s cultural presence in the region. She was joined by honorary chair and board member Vicki Eddy and her husband, Chris Eddy, also an honorary chair, as they welcomed a notable mix of guests from the worlds of film, media, business, and the arts.

Among those in attendance were actor Marcelo Mancini and television host and producer Leonard Simpson, along with familiar names from San Diego’s social and cultural circles, including Lynne and Steve Wheeler, Sandra Maas, Lisé Markham, and Sophia Alsadek.

More than a viewing party, the evening was a reminder that San Diego knows how to do glamour in its own distinct way — a little less frantic than Hollywood, a little more coastal, and every bit as stylish. As the sun slipped behind the Pacific and Oscar gold flickered across the screen, the night delivered a graceful celebration of film, community, and the people here who continue to champion both.

Writing credit: Gemma Palmer