Entertainers flock to Nassau County for annual film expo

Entertainment industry professionals gathered at Bellmore Movies for the 27th annual Long Island International Film Expo on July 10, where over 120 independent films were shown to audiences between July 9 and 14.

LIIFE hosts local and foreign film screenings, informational panels, and Q&A sessions with prominent filmmakers and celebrities. This year, the expo featured 19 world premieres, five US premieres, 28 New York premieres and 50 Long Island premieres.

The expo has welcomed many famous entertainers over its history, including Steve Buscemi, John Amos, and Ilene Kirsten. This year, the expo featured ‘Blue Bloods’ actor Lukas Hassel, ‘Raging Bull’ actress Cathy Moriarty, and ‘30 Rock’ actor Kevin Brown, in addition to film producers and directors from across the industry.

Debra Markowitz, president of the Long Island Film and TV Foundation and a Merrick resident, highlighted the role LIIFE has in the global film community.

“We have filmmakers from all over the world come in and network for those several days,” Markowitz said. “We’ve got so much stuff going on here at the filmmakers’ expo, it’s the summer playground for filmmakers on Long Island, and we happily live up to that.”

The expo involves screenings of movies, screenwriting panels, and a live reading of a screenplay.

“It’s been great to put this together and see everybody come and really celebrate it,” Markowitz said. “They’re almost like our different film families all coming together. But if you’re interested in making a film, or interested in seeing films or even learning just how they’re made, this is the place to come.”

The film festival is a mutually beneficial partnership between the county and the creative community, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. Tourists can come to enjoy the festival, as well as patronize Nassau’s beaches and local businesses.

“It’s something that’s great because it’s a celebration of art and culture, and it gives film directors and film producers and actors and actresses the ability to showcase what might not be seen elsewhere,” Blakeman said.

“We’re looking forward to many, many years of success,” he added.

Maria Cappricielli is a producer based in Los Angeles, who came back to her hometown in Long Island for the film expo, where she debuted her documentary, “Lady of the Lake: The Legend of Lake Ronkonkoma.”

“I’ve been a fan of LIIFE, and I have come as an audience member, filmmaker emerging, attending the panels, participating in some of the workshops that they have over the years,” Cappricielli said.

This year, LIIFE featured 32 films by female directors. The expo provides a special opportunity for women to develop careers in filmmaking, Cappricielli said.   

“I think it’s really important as a female filmmaker to get out of one’s head — be authentic and ask questions, say hello to people, stay in touch and in the know,” Cappricielli said. “I kind of feel like a little bit of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. You don’t have to go too far, except your home in your own backyard to find what it is that you’re looking for.”

Jennifer Jiles is an actress, writer, producer, Emmy award winner and former Rockette. She found Nassau County to be a hotspot for creative filmmaking.

“I love Nassau County,” Jiles said. “There’s so many wonderful films every single year. That’s why I come back to the Long Island International Film Expo, because the quality of the films, the quality of the filmmakers. It’s really a place for filmmakers to showcase what they want.“

Sesame Street director Rob Graydon went to film school in the 80s, did stand up comedy for about 20 years, and then came back to film industry shortly after 9/11. Since then, he has been involved in directing, editing, post production, and digital effects, which eventually led him to LIIFE.

“About 10 years ago, I met Debra at a Long Island filmmakers meet and greet,” Graydon said. “When I moved here, I foolishly thought that there wouldn’t be any other filmmakers on Long Island, not realizing there’s a colossal community here.

“Her meet and greet was great, because I actually got to physically meet a whole bunch of different Long Island filmmakers, with many of whom are here right now,” he went on. “It opened an entire world for me.

“I think there’s a magic to shooting out here on Long Island because the community is so generous with each other,” Graydon added. “We all have the same goals, and that shows, really, the magic of being out here in this community.”

This year’s film expo has concluded, but there’s more in store. Long Island’s horror film festival, “Scared for you LIIFE,’ returns Oct. 21. For more information, visit LongIslandFilm.com.