Lights, camera, action

Deepa Bharath

Velvets, chiffons, silks and sequins delicately kissing the red

carpet amid camera flashes and the rhythmic beat of Chinese drums

heralded the Newport Beach Film Festival on Thursday night.

Fans from all over convened at the Edwards Big Newport theater for

the gala that featured several actors, filmmakers and local figures,

including Mayor Steve Bromberg.

It was the first time at the festival for Harriet Whitmyer of

Irvine.

“I’m very excited,” she said, trying to catch her breath. “It’s

great to be able to watch movies that deal with subject matters that

are not dealt with in [mainstream] movies.”

Debra Schwiff of Laguna Beach is a seasoned fan.

“It’s my third time here,” she said. “It’s definitely an

experience that’s much more than just going to the movies.”

The festival brings the community together with the filmmakers,

said Lucy Steinberg, wife of sports agent Leigh Steinberg. The couple

is the main sponsor of the festival.

“We became involved with the film festival four years ago,” Lucy

Steinberg said. “This is just a great concept for our community.”

The opening ceremonies drew some big names, such as director

Edoardo Ponti, son of Italian actress Sophia Loren. Ponti’s film

“Between Strangers,” featuring his mother and Mira Sorvino, will be

screened at the Edwards Island theater on April 10.

“Such festivals are a forum for the genre,” said Ponti, who lives

in Europe. “They nurture young filmmakers.”

Also on the red carpet was British filmmaker Mark Munden, who

directed “Miranda,” which was screened at the Big Newport on opening

night. The film stars Christina Ricci, famous for her roles in “The

Addams Family” and “Sleepy Hollow.”

Munden, who has produced several films for the BBC, recalled the

experience of making his first feature film as “a feat of endurance.”

He was all praise for Ricci, whom he described as “an intuitive,

intelligent woman at 21.”

Making the movie itself was a challenge that opened his eyes to

the commercial and business aspects of movie making, he said.

“It was horrible,” he said with a laugh. “I was glad when it was

completed.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.