The New York Long Island Film Festival (NYLIFF) Festival Directors Gerry Ferretti and Katie Schrader showcased 114 films at the Moose Lodge #1421, and the South Shore Theatre Experience, both located in Lindenhurst, over the five-day festival.
George Buzzeo from GB Productions, and his associates from Staging Horizons and Avancy, again stepped up NYLIFF’s audio and visual components with state-of-the-art programming equipment, rear-projection capability and a professional movie theatre-sized screen. NYLIFF Judges Paul Laudicano and Deborah Cascio-Plezia helped behind the scenes with filmmaker Q and A, and NYLIFF Official Photographer Ed Shin returned for his seventh year behind the camera, photographing all the filmmakers and attendees on the red carpet.
After its successful introduction at last year’s festival, NYLIFF brought back the filmmaker workshop “Shoot The Scene!” Ferretti’s brainchild, the workshop brings NYLIFF alumni together for a tightly planned, two-hour time period during the festival to set cameras, coordinate light and sound, direct, and shoot a scene based on a popular movie in front of a live audience of filmmakers. The NYLIFF alumni team then has 24 hours to edit the scene and then present the final cut during the festival awards ceremony.
This year’s team was headed by Director Brian Pollock, who reimagined the famous “coffee shop scene” from the movie Heat as a film noir, with the assistance of Rob Graydon & Mike La Gatutta on camera, E.J. Acosta on sound, and actors Anthony Robert Grasso and Ferretti himself. It was a great opportunity for filmmakers to watch, ask questions, and learn!
NYLIFF also continued this year to provide an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their hard work and creativity.
“NYLIFF is committed to continuing to provide a means for filmmakers to show films, and connect with their peers, and other people in the business,” Ferretti said. “Making connections with industry professionals is vital.”
To that end, NYLIFF was thrilled to welcome back legendary actor, writer and director Dan Lauria, star of the hit television show, The Wonder Years, to the festival, as well as well-respected and award-winning director and producer Frank M. Calo. They each spent time watching films, speaking to the filmmakers, and passing on their years of experience and knowledge to everyone in attendance.
Additionally, NYLIFF hosted a Director’s Panel, which brought experienced filmmakers front and center to answer questions from their peers. These award-winning local filmmakers — Maria Filippone, John Marean, Debra Markowitz and George Massimillo — discussed a variety of topics, including streaming options, distribution, and diversity in filmmaking. Also joining the discussion was native Long Islander Beth Laufer, who talked about her 40+ year journeyman’s career as a working SAG and AFTRA actress and producer.
Finally, NYLIFF closed out the festival with its second annual Sunday Awards Brunch. The event had an “Academy Awards feel,” and following a delicious, full-buffet brunch, awards were announced, and winners had the opportunity to say a few words and share their gratitude to everyone who helped them achieve their goals.
Numerous feature films received and shared top awards, including That Creep From the Bar Last Night, Max, First Draft, Trapped Inside My Sin, The Last Houseboat, Ward D, Forever One, A Man With A Bag, Baby Fever, and Dream!. The latter is a musical film from Thailand — the first made there in over 50 years! — that made its U.S. debut at NYLIFF. Actor Ralph Bracco (L’Onore Palermo to NY, Traffic Stop) was blown away by the film, remarking, “This is what cinema was in the ’50s, ’60s!”
In addition to the feature films, dozens of short films, ranging from just over two minutes to just under 40 minutes, were also recognized. With something for everyone, from a tale of an Uber driver running out of a charge, a visit from extra-terrestrials, the trials of romantic relationships, choosing a gravesite, running a diner, or writing the perfect script; as Frank M. Calo stated, “NYLIFF 2025 was filled with great programming!”
A surprise, historic moment occurred during the ceremony when Dan Lauria, who grew up in Lindenhurst, won Best Actor for his role in the dramatic short 47. As he humbly told the crowd, this turned out to be his first-ever nomination, let alone win, for any of the acting he has done in film!
Rounding out the awards was the SPIRIT OF NYLIFF award, this year presented to filmmaker Sebastian Digirolomo for his short Writer in Desire. The annual SPIRIT OF NYLIFF award was created by Ferretti to recognize a film that basically “had no right to come out as good as it did.” In other words, this award is presented to a film that is often made with limited resources, no budget, and a tiny or non-existent crew, and yet somehow leaves a lasting impression, touches the heart, and delivers in a way that encapsulates what filmmaking and storytelling are all about.
NYLIFF, which debuted in 2019 as a two-day festival, and in 2020 was the ONLY film festival to welcome filmmakers and screen live films during the Covid-19 pandemic, has grown to become one of the premier festivals in New York State. Filmmakers and their families, friends, casts, and crews continue to travel from across the nation — even other countries — to attend this event.
With support from the Village of Lindenhurst, and a growing list of sponsors and celebrities, Gerry and Katie have even bigger plans for 2026, including screenplay readings, more filmmaker workshops & discussions, industry professionals, and additional screening locations to showcase more films.
Filmmaker Patrick Pizzolorusso (Battle of LA) summed up his NYLIFF 2025 experience, stating, “The festival is incredibly open and welcoming to everyone. They’ve created an amazing place that encourages meeting other filmmakers and showcasing truly talented work. And it’s not just screenings; the workshops were incredibly informative. And the awards brunch felt like breakfast with family.”
Submissions for NYLIFF 2026 are now open. Next year’s festival will run from October 21-25, 2026. To submit your feature or short film, screenplay, television pilot, music video or trailer, visit filmfreeway.com/NYLIFF or NYLIFF.com.
