Star power at film fest

It may not draw the elite following of Sundance, but the Newport Beach Film Festival — now in its eighth year — has definitely caught the attention of Hollywood. The red carpet for Thursday’s opening night screening of “Beautiful Ohio” boasted an impressive cast, quite a step up from last year.

Among those walking the red were Thora Birch, Chad Lowe, Michelle Trachtenberg and Robert Davi, whose directorial debut, which stars Chazz Palminteri, will premiere Monday at the Regency Lido Theatre.

Celebrities stepped out of Jaguars and Land Rovers to the entrance of the Edwards Big Newport, where more than 1,000 people gathered to fill the seats of the theater, which boasts the biggest screen this side of the Mississippi.

Trachtenberg, who plays a major role in Thursday’s film, felt at home in front of the lively crowd and snapping cameras.

“I don’t really get nervous anymore, she said. “The only thing I’m thinking about is are there things in my teeth and stuff like that.”

Returning for their second year at the festival, Randy Spelling and David Weintraub also felt relaxed and able to soak in the event’s atmosphere. The duo cruised the red carpet free from the camera crew that accompanied them last year for the filming of their reality show “Sons of Hollywood.”

“It feels familiar to be here,” Spelling said.

“It’s more mellow” than Los Angeles, Weintraub added. “You’re down here on the water, seeing some good films and good people. We’re coming back.”

Starring in “Over the Wall,” a short playing in the festival, actor Scott Bridges waited patiently in line to show his support for colleague and fellow college football fan Lowe — the director of “Beautiful Ohio.”

“I’m excited to see what he came up with in ‘Ohio.’ ” he said. “We’re both Ohioans, you know.”

Following his film to festivals around the state, Bridges said a bond forms among industry professionals doing the same, adding that the Newport Beach event is gaining quite the reputation.

“This is probably within the top 10 festivals in the U.S.,” he said. “Plus, it’s so close to L.A. It becomes a good market to get your film seen and get you out there.”

The average moviegoers in line demonstrated the same enthusiasm.

“We’re really hoping to preview the next Academy Award-wining movie at the festival,” said Elizabeth Seibert, who brought up the rear of a line wrapping around the theater, accompanied by her daughter Alicia. “It’s so exciting.”

Thursday’s film was the first of more than 400 films that will be screened over the next week. For more information and tickets, go to www.newportbeachfilmfest.com.

Click here for a photo slideshow from Thursday night’s festivities.