Newport Beach Film Festival Dazzles With Premieres and Parties
On April 27, the 13th annual Newport Beach Film Festival opened in grand style, as crowds gathered at the Big Newport theater for the red carpet world premiere of “Jewtopia,” a comedy starring Ivan Sergei, Joel David Moore, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jon Lovitz, Rita Wilson, Tom Arnold, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Peter Stormare, Wendie Malick and Nicollette Sheridan. Afterward, movie-goers flooded across the street to Fashion Island for the Opening Night Gala reception, featuring culinary tastings from more than 25 of Orange County’s premier restaurants, a hosted bar provided by Absolut Vodka and Stella Artois, as well as a live performance from the Tony Award-winning musical “Million Dollar Quartet.” On Monday, Newport Beach Magazine sponsored the Australian film “Swerve” at the Regency Lido Theater, a highlight of the Pacific Rim Showcase. A reception followed at Fashion Island, featuring an Asian theme with tastings by dozens of local restaurants and entertainers from Korea, Japan and China. The festival continued through May 3 and showcased more than 400 films from 50 countries, as well as nightly special events, red carpet galas, compelling conversations with filmmakers, international spotlight events and seminars. —Micaela Myers
