Her big-screen debut

There was a long time in Vi Cowden’s life when she never imagined herself at a movie premiere.

The Huntington Beach resident served among the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the first women to fly American military aircraft, during World War II. For decades, their efforts were barely recognized, until a push began in the 1970s to honor their contributions and grant them veteran status. The group reached a breakthrough last month when about 200 of the surviving female pilots received the Congressional Gold Medal.

Cowden, 93, has another honor coming her way, as the short documentary “Wings of Silver: The Vi Cowden Story” will screen April 27 at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

“It’s such a new experience for me,” said Cowden, who once worked in the teachers’ resource center for the Huntington Beach City School District. “I saw the video on regular TV, but to see it on the big screen is going to be something. It’s going to be really fun.”

“Wings of Silver” will be among many attractions at this year’s festival, which runs April 22 to 29 and offers more than 350 foreign and domestic films at an average of $12 a pop — not to mention a chance to meet some of the filmmakers and actors.

Tickets for the festival are on sale, and Newport Beach city officials say they are excited about the prospect of thousands of visitors patronizing local hotels and restaurants. On an economic scale, the festival contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to city coffers in the form of sales tax revenues and hotel occupancies, officials said.

“This is the 11th year,” said Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry. “I’ve been here for all of them. It’s one of the great traditions for the city. It highlights us. It attracts people from all over the world and, most of all, it’s exciting.”

If last year’s attendance is an indicator, then at least 50,000 people could show up for the weeklong festival.

“It’s open for everybody,” said Todd Quartararo, co-founder and director of marketing for the festival.

“Go online,” he added. “Look at all the films. Look at the ones you like. Buy a ticket and go. What’s unique about a film festival is that you get an opportunity to interact with the filmmakers, due to our proximity of Hollywood.”

Opening night promises to be big, he said. The feature film is “Five Star Day” at Edwards Big Newport, 300 Newport Center Drive.

“Five Star Day” stars Cam Gigandet of “Twilight” fame and Jena Malone, who appeared in “The Soloist.”

Huntington Beach native Danny Buday wrote, directed and produced the film, which is about a man whose horoscope for a perfect “Five Star Day” ends up being less than he hoped for. The film begins at 7:30 p.m. April 22.

The premiere will be followed by a black-tie gala and red-carpet screening in partnership with Esquire magazine at Bloomingdale’s Courtyard in Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Drive.

The event will feature culinary creations from 25 Newport Beach-area restaurants, a fashion show presented by Fashion Island and a performance by Cirque du Soleil. Total cost is $125.

Visit www.NewportBeach FilmFest.com.