BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

Volunteers sought for Newport film fest

With the Newport Beach Film Festival less than a month away, enthusiastic movie lovers have a chance to get involved in the excitement by registering as volunteers for the event, running April 19 through 29.

The festival, which will feature more than 350 international films, is seeking volunteers to work three- to four-hour morning or evening shifts in guest relations, merchandise sales, theater ushering, office reception and gala and special events staffing.

An orientation for returning volunteers is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday in the Newport Beach City Council Chambers at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach.

New volunteers must attend an orientation at 7 p.m. on April 2 in the Friend’s Meeting Room at the Newport Beach Public Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach, or at 10 a.m. April 7 in the Newport Beach City Council chambers.

Additional information is at www.newportbeachfilmfest.com . For questions, call (949) 253-2880, ext. 236, or e-mail volun [email protected] .

Center invites videos for ‘Rent’ contest

With about 50,400 minutes left until “Rent” comes to Segerstrom Hall, the Orange County Performing Arts Center invites amateur singers to enter the “I’ll Cover You” online video contest, running now through April 10.

Contestants are asked to create a short video, less than three minutes in length, of their favorite song from the Broadway musical and post it on www.youtube.com . Entries will be judged by the arts center and the public, and the winner will appear on stage with the cast for the opening night performance on April 25.

The top five videos will also be displayed on the center’s MySpace page and runners-up will receive free tickets and merchandise.

Participants must be 18 or older, and any videos containing offensive material will not be accepted. For more information, go to www.myspace.com/ocpac . E-mail questions to [email protected] .