Curtain to Open in Bellmore for LI International Film Expo

The Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) launches into its 13th year this week at the Bellmore Movie Theater. Over 150 independent films of all genres will be shown from July 8-18.

There will be panels on scriptwriting, film distribution and new this year are panels in association with DnA (Directors n' Actors from NYC) and a NYWIFT (New York Women in Film and Television) panel on "Women in Film."

Director of the Nassau County Film Office Debra Markowitz organized and runs LIIFE.

"Every year we watch the Long Island International Film Expo grow, and see alumni of LIIFE come back with bigger and better projects," she said. "This year is a prime example."

Past LIIFE winner Rick Bieber from North Massapequa's film "The 5th Quarter" is the opening night film.

"When a festival has very good content and is well-promoted and important cultural event for the region...often times festivals help to define a town or city and become a cultural landmark LIIFE is on its way to doing that," Bieber said. "It's a unique, cultural experience and brings in interesting and talented people. It's a very important festival and hopefully one that becomes more supported by the community."

Last year's Best Feature winners, Dan and Jeanne Brennan from Port Washington return this year with "Maggie Marvel".

"What's great about LIIFE is that it's truly an independent film festival," said Dan Brennan. "From the $500 student film to the multimillion dollar big budget feature, they all get the same attention."

"It's really nice because you get to talk to a lot of other film makers and get feedback from the audience," said John Lazarro from Wantagh, who returns to the festival for the second time with his film "Hindsight." LIIFE is one of the best known film festivals on Long Island. It's an opportunity to see what independent filmmakers are capable of creating as opposed to professionals."

Steve Mena from Bellport, displays his film "Bereavement" in his third year at the Expo.

"It's always fun to be at the LIIFE," Mena said. "It helped me get my start with my first film. Independent festivals can give a small film notoriety and validation. It tells other people in the industry that this filmmaker is one to watch. It also can be the only time a filmmaker shows his film to an audience."

Michael Weithorn from Port Washington returns with his film "A Little Help" partially shot on Long Island.

"I love film festivals because, as a filmmaker, there is an opportunity to have the work viewed and assessed purely on its "artistic" merits, as opposed to from a commercial standpoint," he said. "The people who come to these festivals are film lovers and are seeking to see films that would not normally be made by big studios and shown at the multiplex."

Larry Strong from Hempstead will show his movie "Last Day of Summer."

"Most of the bigger festivals seem to ignore what the word independent means," Strong said. "If you look at the films they screen, most have major Hollywood actors in them and budgets well into the millions…Where are the 'Napoleon Dynamites' these days? Good, high quality films made on shoestring budgets with little-known yet talented actors. Without festivals like LIIFE, most aspiring filmmakers would not have a showcase for their work."

The star-filled Awards Ceremony will be on Sunday, July 18. Winners receive trophies and clips of the winning films will be shown.

"Closing night we're honoring Armand Assante with a Creative Achievement Award, and Jackie "the Jokeman" Martling will be doing comedy to kick off the night," added Markowitz. "Other actor/presenters we have this year include Brian O'Halloran (Clerks), Sharon Angela (The Sopranos), Robert Clohessy (Boardwalk Empire), Jill Nicollini (WPIX), Anthony Mangano (NYPD Blue) and others."

For more info, to get tickets and a schedule of 2010 LIIFE films and events check out www.LongIslandFilm.com.

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