Long Island productions to be featured at upcoming expo
For the 21st year, the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) will be showcasing a variety of shorts, films, features, documentaries and more from July 13 to 19 at the Bellmore Movies. The more than 100 works come from 14 countries, with 27 of the films hailing from Long Island.
The high volume of locally based projects is due in part to the work of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation. Its initiative is to give filmmakers advice and assistance when looking to shoot on Long Island, as it enhances the “cultural and economic vitality” of the region.
Among the organization’s main goals are the promotion of Long Island as a location for a film to be shot, assistance in the process of obtaining the proper permits for shooting, organization of special screening events and promotion of the Long Island film industry through fundraising and special events.
The expo this month will serve to not only showcase the films being presented, but also to award those who have made an impact on Long Island filmmaking during a ceremony, give panels on a variety of topics related to the production of a feature film or short and provide networking opportunities.
The expo is always attended by a large number of professionals in the arts industries. Hosting that finale awards ceremony will be 30 Rock’s Kevin Brown, who will also be honored with a Friend of the Foundation award. Chris Roach, from Kevin Can Wait, will be recognized as this year’s Rising Star honoree. More celebrity honorees and presenters are expected to be announced as the event draws near.
This expo is set to feature 23 world premiere films, two U.S. premieres, 33 New York premieres and 56 Long Island premieres. All of the films are in the running for a variety of awards, including Best Director, Best Story and Best Feature Film.
There will also be a number of student films—from the Long Island High School of the Arts and Not Yet Legal Films club—that are showcased, but are not in competition with each other.
Viewers can buy tickets on www.eventbrite.com for the different events. Some are free, while others have a cost ranging from $5 to $25. The All Access Pass, which goes for $65, affords those who want to take in everything that the expo has to offer the chance to do so. The Closing Night Award Ceremony, however, comes at an additional cost even to those with the All Access Pass.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.longislandfilm.com.
