Hollywood via Newport Beach

NEWPORT BEACH and Anaheim are about 20 miles apart on the freeways, but starting this weekend, the seaside city will have a distinctive Disney flavor, thanks to the Newport Beach Film Festival.

On Friday, the ninth annual festival is hosting “An Evening With Richard Sherman” at the Island Hotel. The Oscar-winning composer -- who wrote the scores to “Mary Poppins” and “The Jungle Book,” among other Disney films, with his brother Robert -- will share his memories and sing a few songs.

And on Wednesday night, producers Roy E. Disney -- Walt’s nephew -- and Don Hahn will present a selection of rarely seen Disney shorts and animated films at the Lido Theatre. Among them is “Destino,” the infamous collaboration between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali that was storyboarded by studio artist John Hench and the Spanish Surrealist painter for eight months in 1945-46, only to cease production because of financial concerns.

In 1999, Roy Disney exhumed the project and brought it back to life. Released in 2003, the film was nominated for an animated short Oscar. Other Disney films include the Oscar-nominated shorts “The Little Matchgirl” from 2006 and “Lorenzo” from 2004.

The Newport festival also is offering 350 films representing 37 countries. It starts tonight with a gala presentation of the new comedy “Sherman’s Way,” starring James LeGros and Lacey Chabert. In addition, a John Wayne tribute will feature 1948’s “Red River” on Saturday.

“We have two or three major parties and galas every night,” organizer Gregg Schwenk says. “There are major industry receptions being hosted by studios and distribution companies. . . . We offer something for everyone.”

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-- Susan.King@latimes.com

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NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL

WHERE: Regency Lido Theatre, 3459 Via Lido; Edwards Island Cinemas, 999 Newport Center Drive; Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive

WHEN: Opens 8 tonight; runs through May 1

PRICE: $11; $8, students, seniors; $125, opening night gala

INFO: newportbeachfilmfest.com