Friends at the Premiere of Splinters at Lido Theatre on March 5th. (PHOTO BY JENAVIVE BELAIR)

The Newport Beach Film Festival returns for it’s 13th time April 26th – May 3rd at various venues in Newport and Corona Del Mar.  The annual festival will showcase 450+ films from 50+ countries, some of which are world premieres.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS AND BROWSE MOVIE TITLES

The festival will use the newly renovated Island Cinema at Fashion Island, which served as its home base from 2000-2010, but was closed for most of 2011.

However, facing the fact that Island Cinema has cut its seating capacity from 1,700 to 670, the fest will also screen movies at Starlight Cinemas at Costa Mesa’s Triangle Square, Edwards Big Newport, the Regency Lido Theatre, the Orange County Museum of Art, Sage Hill School and the newly renovated Port Theater in Corona del Mar. Even though the Port Theater has been closed since 1998, festival officials are confident the venue – which has been revamped as a “luxury” theater, with food and alcohol service and 3-D capabilities – will reopen in time for the festival.

Other 2012 festival highlights include one of the largest action sports series in the country; the West Coast premieres of “I’m Not a Hipster” and “Mariachi Gringo” on April 27; the music documentary “Sunset Strip” and the music comedy “The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best,” also on April 27; the Orange County premieres of the romantic comedies “Save the Date” and “Nesting” on April 28; “Should’ve Been Romeo,” starring Ed Asner, Kelly Osbourne and Natasha Henstridge (April 28); “The Love Guide,” starring indie queen Parker Posey (April 28); and more rarities from the Disney archives, presented by Don Hahn and David Bossert on May 2.

As in years past, the festival will feature a number of international “spotlight” films, highlighting new releases from China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Sweden, France, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Chile and Brazil.

READ MORE:  WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 13TH ANNUAL NBFF

Tickets for the 2012 festival go on sale Sunday. Single screenings are $12 general, $10 for seniors and students. The opening night film and gala will cost $125, while the closing night event is $60. For tickets and information, visit newportbeachfilmfest.com.

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