RED CARPET NIGHT

Newport Beach’s landmark cinema was transformed into a red carpet Hollywood premiere Thursday night, minus the A-list celebrity crowd.

Photographers and TV journalists from all over the world touched down on Fashion Island’s Edwards Big Newport for the premiere of “Neverwas” and the opening of the Newport Beach Film Festival. Those expecting glimpses of the “Neverwas” star cast would likely be disappointed by the less than stellar turnout. The movie’s stars ? Aaron Eckhart, Brittany Murphy and Nick Nolte ? were nowhere to be found, leaving the red carpet to a cadre of lesser known Hollywood types who basked in the flashing bulbs of the media swarm.

The night went to Sean Stewart, son of singer Rod Stewart; and Randy Spelling, son of famed television producer Aaron Spelling, both starring in Sunday’s film “Hot Tamale.”

Stewart arrived wearing plaid golf pants, a chain wallet and a trucker hat while his co-star Spelling chose the more traditional attire of a black suit over a white shirt. While Spelling posed for the cameras, Stewart tried his hardest to ham it up for the media, jumping around and shouting the name of his movie.

Besides their antics, the pair caused a small commotion with their tamer entourage, a reality-TV crew that was tailing Spelling throughout the event for an upcoming show.

“We were disappointed that the stars from tonight’s cast couldn’t make it, but most of them were out in New York doing a shoot,” organizer Jordan Kaye said.

Despite the low turnout, Kaye said the event went off without a hitch.

“It was excellent, better than last year,” he said.

Although Spelling and Stewart stole the show, the glamour for the evening went to Diora Baird, who appears alongside the pair in “Hot Tamale.” Diora, who has modeled in Playboy and was in “Wedding Crashers,” arrived in a bright yellow halter dress, instantly grabbing the attention of moviegoers and paparazzi.

Dozens of other independent film actors, whose movies were in the festival, made red carpet appearances, escorted to the circle driveway by a fleet of black Jaguar coupes and Ford Escalades commissioned for the event.

Celebrities weren’t the only ones making grand entrances. Newport Beach Mayor Don Webb, looking dapper in a nautical-themed blue shirt and mariner hat, was the first to arrive on the red carpet. Orange County film commissioner Janus Arrington also made an entrance on the red carpet.

Hundreds of film buffs lined up for a chance to get into the $125-a-pop event, which included an after-party at Fashion Island.

For Costa Mesa resident Gerry Grant, it was his first year at the festival, and it seemed to be educational.

“I just want to find out more about independent film,” he said

For Costa Mesa musician Jeff Bates, the event was an opportunity to attend one of his first film festivals.

“The mere fact that this is an appreciation of arts and to support it makes this great,” Bates said.

Depending on how tonight goes, he and girlfriend Angela Lopez might finish out the week with more films in the festival.

Other filmmakers featured in the festival took the time to stop by and enjoy the festivities.

Payman Benz and Sean Becker, veterans of the festival said they were there to enjoy themselves.

“It is good to see familiar faces,” said Becker, whose film “Long Walk Home” is showing Monday. “Last year, we spent all of our time working really hard to promote our film.”

Now they plan to simply enjoy themselves.

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