The Newport Beach Film Festival has continued to gain a notoriety and respect over the years no more visible than in the caliber of stars that appear on the red carpet of each year's opening night. This year was a testament to the hard work, love and attention to detail that has gone into every one, with a smattering of today's hottest stars, veteran actors, directors and the like in attendance for the first night of this eight-day and night film industry extravaganza.
Also in walking the red carpet was Tom Sizemore, who plays Leroy Lowe in "White Night," which screens at 5:15 p.m. Friday at the Starlight Triangle Square Cinemas in Costa Mesa.
Other celebrities with films screening in the days following the opening night who were at the red carpet gala were Andy Hirsch, of "Fort McCoy," Robert Patrick, of "Good Day For It," Christopher McDonald, of "Balls to the Walls," Hal Ozsan, of "Peach Plum Pear."
The film was followed by an Opening Night Gala of epic proportions, hosted in by Fashion Island in the Bloomingdale's Courtyard of the shopping center. More than 2,000 people attended the event, which feature gourmet eats from more than 30 of the city's classiest restaurants, a fashion show of international style, bar hosted by Absolut, Stella Artois, and Perrier, and popping music. The event marks just the tip of things to come this week in this city that has become a jewel along the Southern California coast.
