Six theaters have big role in film festival

You’ll need a car to make it around the Newport Beach Film Festival, which encompasses six theaters spread over two cities. Here’s the rundown on the 2013 venues:

Edwards Big Newport 6

ADDRESS: 300 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach

YEAR FOUNDED: 1969

NUMBER OF SEATS: More than 2,600 combined

ARCHITECTURAL HIGHLIGHT: The largest movie screen on the West Coast, according to the theater’s website.

HISTORICAL FACT: “Crash,” which went on to pull an upset for the Best Picture Oscar, opened the festival at this theater in 2005.

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Lido Theatre

ADDRESS: 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach

YEAR FOUNDED: 1938

NUMBER OF SEATS: 622

ARCHITECTURAL HIGHLIGHT: The genuine old-fashioned movie experience: a marquee, box office and balcony.

HISTORICAL FACT: Bette Davis, whose “Jezebel” was the first film shown at the theater, had a hand in designing the women’s room.

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Triangle Square Cinemas

ADDRESS: 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa

YEAR FOUNDED: Not available; taken over by Starlight Cinemas in 2010

NUMBER OF SEATS: More than 1,400

ARCHITECTURAL HIGHLIGHT: Its placement at the hub of three major thoroughfares — Harbor Boulevard, Newport Boulevard and the end of the 55 Freeway.

HISTORICAL FACT: The theater, the first Costa Mesa location to take part in the festival, joined in 2011 because of remodeling at the Island Cinema 7.

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Port Theater

ADDRESS: 2905 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach

YEAR FOUNDED: 1949

NUMBER OF SEATS: 140

ARCHITECTURAL HIGHLIGHT: The old-fashioned “Port” sign whose blue letters jut out over the sidewalk on Coast Highway.

HISTORICAL FACT: When the theater screened the circus classic “The Greatest Show on Earth” in the 1950s, it brought a live elephant on stage.

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Island Cinema 7

ADDRESS: 999 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach

YEAR FOUNDED: 1989

NUMBER OF SEATS: More than 700 combined

ARCHITECTURAL HIGHLIGHT: The adjacent Island Cinema Cafe, whose menu features artisan sandwiches, hand-scooped ice cream and more.

HISTORICAL FACT: Actor Matthew McConaughey visited the theater in 2008 to promote his movie “Surfer, Dude.” Said a 15-year-old female fan: “I touched his stomach. It was the best moment in my life.”

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The Studio at Sage Hill

ADDRESS: 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Beach

YEAR FOUNDED: 2009

NUMBER OF SEATS: 262

ARCHITECTURAL HIGHLIGHT: One of the first high school theaters in America to install a high-tech Meyer Sound Constellation Acoustic System.

HISTORICAL FACT: The theater, adjacent to the campus gymnasium, was carved out of a hillside.