Bellmore Movie Theater to Host LI International Film Expo This July

The Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) will be celebrating its 13th year from July 9 to 18 at the Bellmore Movie Theater.

LIIFE will screen about 150 short and feature-length independent films of all genres from all over the world. There will be panels and parties with networking opportunities for those in the film and television industries, and those wishing to hobnob with celebrities will have ample opportunity.

The star-studded Closing Party and Awards Ceremony will be held at the Bellmore Movie Theater on Sunday, July 18. There will be a buffet, musical act, comedian and awards ceremony where the winners receive their trophies and clips of the winning films will be shown. And what do you do when the festival is over? Attend the AfterLIIFE party in the Filmmakers Lounge, of course.

Past Long Island International Film Expos and parties have attracted celebrities such as Steve Guttenberg ("Police Academy"), Ralph Macchio ("The Karate Kid"), Steve Buscemi ("The Sopranos"), Cliff Robertson ("PT109"), Danny Aiello ("Moonstruck"), Billy Baldwin ("Backdraft"), Edie Falco ("The Sopranos"), Chuck Zito ("Oz"), Vinnie Vella ("The Sopranos"), Carol Alt ("Fashion Model"), Ilene Kristen ("One Life to Live"), Eileen Fulton "(As the World Turns"), Karen Allen ("Animal House"), Brian O'Halloran ("Clerks"), Steven Bauer ("Scareface"), John Shea ("Superman"), Robert Clohessey ("Across the Universe"), Paul Dano ("There Will Be Blood"), Nikki Blonsky ("Hairspray"), American Idol contestant Kevin Covais and many others.

The Q & A sessions after most of the movie blocks are one of the biggest draws of the festival. 

There are many ways to enjoy this year's Long Island International Film Expo.  Each film block costs $9, $7 for senior citizens and Filmmakers Connection members. A day pass is $20 and the Gold Pass is $60. The Gold Pass includes every film block in the festival and has other perks for the ticket holder as well. 

Senior citizens with appropriate identification will be able to take a friend in for free for any of the film blocks that are held from Monday through Friday and begin before 5 p.m. for a 2-for-1 special.

The schedule of films and events should be on the Web site mid-June.

For more information on the Long Island International Film Expo, visit their Web site or call 571-3168.