Festival tickets on sale

Tickets for the April 22-to-29 Newport Beach Film Festival go on sale today, and city officials say they are excited about the prospect of thousands of visitors patronizing local hotels and restaurants.

The festival offers more than 350 foreign and domestic films, at an average of $12 a pop — not to mention a chance to meet some of the filmmakers and actors.

On an economic scale, the festival contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to city coffers in the form of sales tax revenues and hotel occupancies, officials said.

“This is the 11th year,” said Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry. “I’ve been here for all of them. It’s one of the great traditions for the city. It highlights us. It attracts people from all over the world and, most of all, it’s exciting.”

If last year’s attendance is an indicator, then at least 50,000 people could show up for the weeklong festival.

“It’s open for everybody,” said Todd Quartararo, co-founder and director of marketing for the festival.

“Go online,” he added. “Look at all the films. Look at the ones you like. Buy a ticket and go. What’s unique about a film festival is that you get an opportunity to interact with the filmmakers, due to our proximity of Hollywood.”

Opening night promises to be big, he said. The feature film, or the “world premiere,” is “Five Star Day,” at Edwards Big Newport, 300 Newport Center Drive.

“Five Star Day” stars Cam Gigandet of “Twilight” fame and Jena Malone, who appeared in “The Soloist.”

Huntington Beach native Danny Buday wrote, directed and produced the film, which is about a guy whose horoscope for a perfect “Five Star Day” ends up being anything but. The film begins at 7:30 p.m. April 22.

After the premiere, there’s going to be a black-tie gala and red carpet screening in partnership with Esquire magazine at the Bloomingdale’s Courtyard in Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Drive.

The event will feature culinary creations from 25 Newport Beach-area restaurants, a fashion show presented by Fashion Island and a performance by Cirque du Soleil. Total cost: $125.

To buy tickets or get more information, visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com.