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The 23rd Annual Long Island International Film Expo to Show Virtual and Drive-In Movies, September 30 - Oct 8

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 09/23/2020


(LONG ISLAND, NY) -- The Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) is the premiere filmmaker community on Long Island, and one of the most respected festivals of its kind in the world; showing almost 200 short and feature-length films in many different genres each year. Sponsored by the Long Island Film-TV Foundation (LIFTF), the County of Nassau, the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency and Gold Coast Studios, this year the 23rd Annual installment will be held from September 30th - October 8th, 2020 and will include two nights of drive-in movies on Friday October 2nd and Saturday October 3rd at 7:00pm and 10:00pm the at Samanea Mall (1504 Old Country Rd, Westbury NY).  This year, LIIFE’s films will also be shown virtually and will feature films from around the globe.

The Long Island International Film Expo will also be honoring Port Jefferson’s own Maurice DuBois, the Emmy award winning news anchor for WCBS-TV in NY, who will be awarded the LIIFE “Excellence in Newscasting” Award. Actress Katherine Narducci (The Irishman) will be honored with an “Excellence in Film and TV” Award and Director Jeremiah Kipp (Grave Discoveries) will be honored with a “Creative Achievement Award”.  The ceremony, including appearances by presenters like Kevin Brown (30 Rock) and Brian O’ Hallaran (Clerks) will be held virtually for participating filmmakers, sponsors, honorees and Gold Pass Holders during the virtual closing ceremony on Thursday October 8th at 7:30pm EST.

Perhaps, COVID-19 willing, the Festival will be able to present something special at their usual home for the past 22 years - the historic Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave, Bellmore, NY - as well! Check the website for updates.You can also learn more about specific showings/times and purchase tickets at: www.longislandfilm.com 

Festivals of the past have included such luminaries as the late Danny Aiello, Ed Asner, Blue Bloods’ Robert Clohessy and Abigail Hawk, Ralph Macchio, John Amos, Ally Sheedy, 30 Rock’s Kevin Brown, Cathy Moriarty, Steve Buscemi, Ed Burns, William Sadler, Ilene Kristen, and so many more.

LIIFE has become a must attend festival for serious filmmakers; with local and foreign film screenings, celebrity appearances, entertaining and informative panels, a star-studded awards ceremony, Q & A with filmmakers from the world over and networking galore. 




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at the Oakes Center, will host "An Evening with Dan and Laura" on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 8:00pm. The evening will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Vivid's feature film: A Relative Comedy. Director Laura Ekstrand and Composer Dan Crisci will talk about what went into making the company's first feature.
The Trenton Film Society presents Kid Flicks: Celebrating Black Stories

The Trenton Film Society presents Kid Flicks: Celebrating Black Stories

(TRENTON, NJ) -- On Saturday, July 18, 2026, the Trenton Film Society will present a special program for children 8+, in partnership with the renowned New York International Children's Film Festival. Celebrating Black Stories spotlights Black narratives that transcend national boundaries, culture, and language. With roots in history and tradition, these films share the joy, determination, resilience, and complexity of being young and Black while underscoring the vibrancy of Black storytelling.
45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will Take Place September 4th through October 4th

45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will Take Place September 4th through October 4th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The 45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place between September 4 - October 4, 2026. As they have been doing the last few years, the festival will be presented as a hybrid with select in-person screenings at Rutgers University and most of the films available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. The festival also be offering an Audio-Visual Concert featuring the bands Lawns and Hanging Coats as well as two FREE Filmmaking Workshops.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


FREE SUMMER MOVIE! Lilo & Stitch

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 @ 10:30am
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


FREE SUMMER MOVIE! Lilo & Stitch

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 @ 6:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


An Evening with Dan and Laura

Saturday, July 18, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Oakes Center
Summit, NJ


Free Summer Movie! Zootopia 2

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 @ 10:30am
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


Free Summer Movie! Zootopia 2

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 @ 6:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ



 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info