L.I. International Film Fest comes to Bellmore

Local movie-goers looking for a different experience than your typical summer blockbuster need look no further than their own backyard. The Long Island International Film Expo, hosted by the Long Island Film/TV Foundation, will return to the Bellmore Movies this week. The 13th annual expo will kick off with a preview night on Thursday, July 8, and an informal wine and cheese reception on Friday, July 9, at 5 p.m. for all ticket holders.

The festival will feature more than 150 films, from shorts to features; local directors to foreign ones will be featured. Leslye Abbey, a Bellmore native and documentary filmmaker, will once again be showing at the festival. Abbey's film, "Rosey at One Hundred," tells the story of Rose Kamer, a Russian immigrant who's seen a century of changes. The documentary will be shown on Saturday, July 10, at 2 p.m.

The festival will conclude with a party and awards ceremony on Sunday, July 18. There will be a buffet, musical act and Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling, as well as the presentation of awards.

Long Island International Film Expo

•July 8 through July 18 at Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore.

•Gold pass $60; day pass $20; film blocks $9, seniors $7.

Award ceremony tickets are $50, $40 for Gold Pass holders.

For information regarding the Long Island International Film Expo and the Long Island Film/TV Foundation, call (516) 572-0012. Schedules are available at www.LongIslandFilm.com.