Beth Accomando

Arts & Culture Reporter

Beth Accomando covers arts and culture around San Diego for KPBS News. Beth studied film at UCSD and had her student film Writer’s Notebook screened as part of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s "Forty-Two Emerging Artists" showcase in 1981. She has edited the sequels to "The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" and video documentaries on Billy Wilder and roller hockey.

Beth is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association and Online Film Critics Society, and is the past President and former Education Chairperson for the San Diego Film Critics Society. She served as the festival director of Film School Confidential: A Showcase of San Diego Student Filmmaking. In the past she has served on the film selection committee for the San Diego State University Student Film Festival, San Diego International Film Festival and San Diego Latino Film Festival. Now she volunteers as part of The Film Geeks at the Digital Gym Cinema to bring independent and envelope-pushing genre filmmaking to the Media Arts Center San Diego's micro cinema.

Beth has been a film critic for more than 25 years and began at KPBS in 1987. Since 1997 she has been covering independent and international cinema as well as pop culture for National Public Radio and Public Radio International’s The World. She has received numerous Society of Professional Journalist Awards and San Diego Press Club Awards for her radio and web site work at KPBS. She has also received 11 southwestern area Emmy Awards in the categories of producing, writing, and sound design for promotional spots as well as national Pro Max and Telly Awards while working at Fox.

She has a passion for Hong Kong cinema, Japanese monster movies, horror, and film noir. She collects movie posters and toys, and loves putting on a haunted house every year.

Recent Stories by Beth Accomando

Tease photo for 'There Is No Evil' Tops List Of New R...

'There Is No Evil' Tops List Of New Releases

May 14: By Beth Accomando

Cinemas are open again but the best film available this weekend is only streaming. Here’s what to see and what to avoid.

Tease photo for Local Filmmakers Showcased At San Die...

Local Filmmakers Showcased At San Diego International Film Festival

May 12: By Beth Accomando

48HR Film Project and the San Diego International Film Festival have been partnering for years to highlight short films made by local filmmakers. This Friday 48HR short films will be available in a virtual Shorts Fest.

Tease photo for 'Mythic Quest' Season Two Puts Pandem...

'Mythic Quest' Season Two Puts Pandemic In Rear View Mirror

May 7: By Beth Accomando

The Apple TV+ series "Mythic Quest" now returns for its second season and faced challenges shooting during the pandemic.

Tease photo for TCM Classic Film Festival's Second Ho...

TCM Classic Film Festival's Second Home Edition Runs Through Sunday

May 3: By Beth Accomando

TCM Classic Film Festival kicks off its second home edition of the pandemic. Charles Tabesh, senior vice president in charge of programming at Turner Classic Movies and a programmer for the festival, previews the event.

Tease photo for Turnkey Theatre Debuts Interactive Au...

Turnkey Theatre Debuts Interactive Audio Play 'Homecoming'

April 26: By Beth Accomando

Over the weekend, the recently formed Turnkey Theatre released its first interactive audio production called "Homecoming: A Meditation on the Natural World."

Tease photo for Low Key Pandemic Oscars Yields Some P...

Low Key Pandemic Oscars Yields Some Positive Results

April 26: By Beth Accomando

The 93rd Academy Awards aired Sunday night on ABC and a lot of things were different in this time of pandemic awards shows. Here are the highs and lows.

Tease photo for San Diego Opera Brings 'Barber Of Sev...

San Diego Opera Brings 'Barber Of Seville' To Drive-In

April 13: By Beth Accomando

San Diego Opera is staging two outdoor drive-in shows this month: the first is its annual One Amazing Night concert and the second is the comic opera "The Barber of Seville."