Long Island International Film Expo

22nd annual Film Expo kicks off in Bellmore

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July 12 kicks off the 22nd Long Island International Film Expo at the Bellmore Movies. The expo will showcase over 180 films that range from short films to full length features. The expo, which features local and international talent, showcases new and experienced filmmakers whose films were shot mostly in Nassau County.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran kicked-off the event on July 11, saying that “there is a lot going on film-wise in Nassau County.” Nassau County’s most known filming locations are both the Goldcoast and Gremman studios in Bethpage where production companies film major blockbusters like “Salt” and “The Avengers”. But both films and television shows are constantly filming all over the county. "Last year ‘John Wick,’ TV shows like ‘Orange is the New Black’, ‘Billions’, [and] ‘Homeland’ are filmed here and have been filmed here,” Curran said.

Having films and television shows filmed in Nassau heightens the popularity of the county, but it also plays a crucial financial role. “In Long Island as a whole, about $400 million of economic activity is generated by the film industry,” Curran said.


The film expo, which will be held at the Bellmore Movies from July 12 through July 18, will feature an array of films that are made by a diverse group of filmmakers. The films range from short films as long as one minute to 90-minute feature films. Genres span feature narratives, documentaries, webisodes, animation, music videos, and trailers. The expo will also feature a ‘Young Filmmakers Showcase’ that will feature films made by local talent as young as 15 as well as informative panels that pertain to the film industry.

Over the last two decades, LIIFE has evolved to one of the premiere regional locations for local, national, and international filmmakers to debut their pieces. Actor Larry Romano, who is attending LIIFE for the third time, said, “I’m really excited to see some really cool movies. It’s nice to see people who are really enthusiastic about being creative with film and TV and seeing it done here in New York.”

Tickets can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com/o/long-island-filmtv-foundation-6572649727.