Only celebrities can snag some swag

Nick Nolte had to check into his hotel suite to get his. Brittany Murphy had to visit the VIP boutique to get hers. What about Will Ferrell? Well, if he ever shows up, he’ll get his too.

It’s swag, and it’s everywhere at this year’s Newport Beach Film Festival. If someone thinks you’re famous, or better yet, really hip, there’s a basketful of freebies coming your way.

For the 36 celebrities booked into the Island Hotel, that means a $5,000 gift basket loaded with a one-year membership to the Sports Club L.A., the new Oakley Thump 2 sunglasses with built-in MP3 player, high-priced dinner vouchers and free clothes from companies like RVCA and Vans.

The gift baskets are left in the celebrities’ suites. Retailers hope the stars will wear the high-end gear during a photo shoot ? or maybe even while being chased by the paparazzi.

“It’s much more valuable to have a celebrity wearing your clothes than anything an advertisement could pay for,” festival organizer Jordan Kaye said. “Brands are always trying to figure out ways to get their stuff seen.”

Kaye said many of the gift-bag contributions came from companies that had already agreed to sponsor the festival. Absolut, the event’s beverage sponsor, is including a bottle of its premium Level Vodka in the bags.

Female celebrities are in for a special treat this year: About a dozen are invited to the Edwards Island Theater to pick up free clothes at the Talulah G gift suite.

The small Fashion Island boutique has teamed up with several of its clothing lines and plans to give out free gear in the hope that it might show up in US Weekly.

Brands like Knit Wit, Matty M and Victorian Blooms have donated clothes to the VIP boutique in hopes of getting an item to Carmen Electra or Hilary Duff, who may appear for the festival.

“If anything else, it’s a way to get them shopping back in your store,” manager Jenny Livits said. “We treat them just like they’re at our store. Only it’s free. Everyone loves free stuff.”

Of course, not just any item can make it into the gift bags. Kaye said the film fest often rejects offers from lower-tier restaurants and clothing companies.

“We have to carefully weigh our options and see if it fits our brand,” he said.dpt.24-bizcover-CPhotoInfoIU1Q8CDS20060424iy5k3cncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Jenny Livits of Talulah G Boutique, which contributes to gift bags for VIP guests at the Newport Beach Film Fest.