Five-star debut

Editor’s note: Film director Danny Buday was not born in Huntington Beach, but he has lived there. He was born in South Carolina.

Opening night of the Newport Beach Film Festival brought out both the sun and stars. With the clouds breaking just as the first attendees lined up outside the Edwards Islands Cinemas across from Fashion Island in Newport Beach, excitement grew as the stars and fans gathered.

Stephen Moriyama, an Orange County resident and one of the first people in line, arrived at 5 p.m.

“I think it’s a great Orange County event and even better that the opening film was directed by an Orange County native (resident). I love supporting our local arts,” Moriyama said.

Moriyama, who has attended the first and last films of the festival for the past several years, was also excited for the Disney rarities screening Saturday at the South Coast Village Theater.

“Roy Disney has even appeared at past events; the film fest is an important event for Orange County.”

As the line grew to wrap around the block onto Newport Center Drive, director Danny Buday, who has lived in Huntington Beach, found it difficult to contain his enthusiasm with making his directorial debut at the festival. Buday’s film, “Five Star Day,” not only had its world premiere Thursday evening in Newport, but also served as the opening film for the entire festival.

“Having an Orange County native’s (resident’s) film open the festival is something we’ve always wanted,” said Gregg Schwenk, the executive director of the film festival. “This is a great evening and the spotlight is on Newport Beach. This promises to be an amazing week.”

“I couldn’t imagine making my debut at the Newport Beach Film Festival, let alone the Edwards Islands Cinemas,” Buday said. “I remember coming here so see ‘Schindler’s List’ 17 years ago. It’s unreal!”

“Five Star Day,” starring Cam Cigandet (“Twilight,” “Pandorum,” “The OC”) and Jena Malone (“Donnie Darko,” “The Soloist”), follows the life of Jake Gibson (Cigandet) and his journey to test the validity of his horoscope on his birthday by finding others who share it.

Stars from the opening night and a number of other films from the festival walked the red carpet on Thursday evening.

The cast from “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” including Tamra Barney with her new boyfriend, also arrived on the red carpet for the festivities.

After the screening at the Bloomingdale’s courtyard in Fashion Island, attendees could attend a special performance by Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere, a fashion show, and enjoy creations by a number of Newport Beach area restaurants.

The Newport Beach Film Festival runs until April 29.

GRETCHEN MEIER writes for OCLNN.com.