Arts & Entertainment
Long Island Rolls Out Red Carpet For Film Expo
Henry Stampfel, owner of Malverne Cinema and Bellmore Movies, talks about this year's Long Island international film expo.
Long Island is becoming the focal point of the Independent movie industry, as the 14th annual Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) kicks off on July 7.
More than 115 independent films from around the world will be showcased at this year's festival from July 7 to July 14 in Bellmore,
“Every year there are hundreds of movies submitted to be screened at the film festival and a committee watches all of them and decides which ones will be shown,” explained Henry Stampfel, owner of the Malverne Cinema and Bellmore Movies, and the treasurer of the LIIFE.
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The festival was originally called the Nassau Independent Cinema Expo and was held at the movie theater in Malverne, but was later renamed and moved to a bigger venue - Bellmore Movies, located at 222 Pettit Avenue near the Bellmore train station.
The festival has grown immensely over the years and typically draws celebrities to Long Island, including 2001 honoree Ralph Macchio, Edie Falco, Karen Allen, Steve Buscemi and many more.
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As If I Am Not There is the official opening night movie, which is a feature film that depicts the atrocities that happened in the Bosnian-Serbian War. Throughout the festival many documentaries, short films and feature films will be shown. Debra Markowitz, Nassau County Film Office Director, explained that there are more documentaries this yeae than in the past.
There is an opening party, closing party and award ceremony that celebrates and awards the filmmakers of the independent films featured at the festival.
This year the Long Island Film-TV Foundation will also award Ed Burns the Creative Achievement Award. Burns, a Long Island native, has written, directed and starred in movies and TV shows.
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano will also receive the Benefactor of the Arts Award for promoting film production in Nassau County.
There will also be an educational component to the festival including programs on script writing, film distribution and a filmmakers breakfast panel.
The Long Island International Film Expo starts on July 7th and goes through July 14th at the Bellmore Movies. For the schedule of screenings look at the documents to the right. To purchase tickets for screenings and events click here.
