Greer's OC

The 12th annual Newport Beach Film Festival kicked off last night with a sold-out show for the world premiere of “East Fifth Bliss” starring Michael C. Hall, Lucy Liu and Peter Fonda, and directed by Michael Knowles.

Check out Greer’s OC TV for red carpet interviews at Edwards Big Newport and make sure you buy tickets now to the stellar line-up of full-length features, shorts, documentaries and animation along with nightly special events, red carpet galas, post screening receptions, compelling conversations with filmmakers, industry seminars and retrospectives. To purchase tickets and for more information, go online at www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com.

Action Sports on the Big Screen!

With Orange County’s deep connection to the history of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, it’s no surprise that local filmgoers flock to the Action Sport Series Film Series each year at the Newport Beach Film Festival. It boasts 23 exciting documentaries about cutting-edge skateparks, dangerous mountains, the quest to find the perfect wave, and many more screening at Triangle Square and at Regency Lido Theatre.

The films celebrate athletes, visionaries, environmentalists, artists and designers who have contributed to the action sports culture. Here's a partial list of what's screening.

Saturday at 8 p.m. at Triangle Square check out the ultimate surfing competition, the Billabong 2010 XXL Global Big Wave Awards, followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Sam George, Paul Taubleib and athletes from the film. (Photo by Billabong XXL.) After the screening attend a showcase party at The Sports Club/LA - Orange County with entertainment, hosted bars by Absolut and Stella Artois and culinary samplings from top area restaurants.

1980 Main St in Irvine.

Saturday at 5:15 p.m. at Triangle Square and Thursda at 5 p.m. "Skateistan: Four Wheels and a Board in Kabul." The film follows Australian aid workers who founded the first skateboard school to uplift urban youth in war-torn Afghanistan.

Sunday at 1 p.m. at Triangle Square. "Downhill: The Bill Johnson Story" depicts Johnson’s journey from brazen Olympic champion to fallen hero, and his attempt to win back his family and his life.

Sunday at 2:15 p.m. at Triangle Square. "Castles in the Sky" documents surfing adventures around the world, including Dane Reynolds in Iceland, Rob Machado in Peru, Dave Rastovich in India, and Jordy Smith in Africa.

Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Triangle Square. "Surfing with the Enemy" chronicles modern-day surfers in restrictive Cuba searching for the country’s best waves.

For more information about the festival and tickets visit www.nbffACTION.com.

Triangle Square (1870 Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa) and at Regency Lido Theatre (3459 Via Lido Drive in Newport Beach).