LONG BEACH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 7TH Anniversary-A Great Success

The Long Beach International Film Festival (LBIFF) celebrated its 7th Anniversary from August 1 to 4, screening an international slate of more than 50 films, including feature-length narratives, documentaries, as well as short and animated movies suitable for all ages, on the beachfront at the glamorous Allergria Hotel in Long Beach, as well as at the newly renovated Regal Lynbrook 13 & RPX in Lynbrook, the Long Beach Public Library, and the Madison Theater at Molloy College.

A harmony of arts and culture, the unique beachfront film festival, presented by SVS Fine Jewelry Featuring Forevermark Diamond, offered much more entertainment in addition to film. On Friday, August 3, the festival featured Concerts on the Beach, a wide variety of local musical acts right on the beach at the Allegria Hotel, which was followed by LBIFF's wildly popular culinary event, Taste on the Beach, a collaboration of more than 40 of Long Island's premier restaurants, distilleries, wineries and more. On Thursday, August 2, for the second year in a row, LBIFF partnered with Devour! for a unique dinner experience pairing gastronomy and short films called Chefs and Shorts, where guests enjoyed a five-course, locally-sourced dinner and wine pairing, each inspired by one of the short films shown at the event.

The festival began on August 1 with an opening ceremony at the Regal Lynbrook 13 & RPX in Lynbrook with remarks by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Comptroller Jack Schnirman, New York State Senator Todd Kaminsky, Village of Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach, amongst other elected officials, renowned filmmakers, and supporting partners, including SVS Fine Jewelry Featuring Forevermark Diamond, which partnered with LBIFF to host the Diamond Dig at Taste on the Beach which raised $8,000 for Cohen Children's Medical Center and $2,000 for the Long Beach Soup Kitchen.

Many movie lovers attended all four days with an all-access pass and others stuck to single screenings as the festival presented the unique roster. The jurors for competition films brought a range of experience to the festival when deciding which films were best. Award winners include:

Best Picture: ROCKAWAY

Best Director: John J. Budion, ROCKAWAY

Special Mention: Monsoon

Best Documentary: The Push

Honorable Mention: Secret Ingredients

Best Short Animation: The Velvet Underground Played at My High School

Best Short Comedy: The Love

Best Short Documentary: Once Around is Never Enough

Best Short Drama: Don't Be a Hero

Short Special Mention: Hunter Gatherer

Best Foreign Short: Bohemia

Short Honorable Mention: Peaced Together

"Since 2012, we've celebrated the art of storytelling from artists around the world. It's been important to show films that entertain, but just as significant to tell the important stories - the ones that influence our thoughts. This year, we did that and more. Four days of films, live musical performances and the ever-growing Taste on the Beach were a smashing success as we saw record attendance. It has truly been humbling to watch our community adopt the festival the way they have. They are the reason we do it - and we're inspired to create an even better festival next year." said LBIFF Founder Craig Weintraub.

With the growth of the festival comes the expansion of offerings at Taste on the Beach. The following restaurants and drinks were recognized as best in their category for 2018:

BEST Cocktail: Paloma with Espolon Tequila

BEST Brew: Flying Belgian Brewery - Illegally Blonde Beer

BEST Sweet Food: Red Salt Room by David Burke at the Garden City Hotel - Butterscotch Panna Cotta, Curry Cocoa Gelee/Bananas Foster/Grains of Paradise

BEST Savory Food: Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas - Pork Ribs - Balsamic Barbecue Sauce

BEST Red: 2015 Roth Estate, Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon

BEST White/Rose: 2017 Chignin, Domaine Gonnet, Savoie, France

BEST Sparkling: Sassaia Gavi Sparkling

BEST Presentation: Red Salt by David Burke at the Garden City Hotel

The annual Festival is home to numerous opportunities to connect with enthusiastic new audiences, fellow filmmakers, film industry professionals, non-profit organizations and the media in the beautiful oceanside locale of Long Beach, New York. The LBIFF premiered in 2012 with just 50 submissions and showcased 12 films with free screenings on the beach. After Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012, the LBIFF had just finished its inaugural year and was threatened to collapse before ever fully taking off. Aided by a $25,000 grant from Nassau County, and participation from local celebrity stars like Daniel Baldwin and resilient festival organizers, the festival persevered and expanded each year. It was with the aid of the Village of Lynbrook that the 2018 films were screened at the Regal Lynbrook 13 & RPX, which opened its doors in June 2018. LBIFF acknowledges and thanks the many Festival Sponsors who demonstrate their commitment to aspiring filmmakers and expanding the local arts community through their financial support.

There are more funds to be raised for the Long Beach Film Institute & Cohen Children's Medical Center! Casino Night is coming this fall!

For more information visit http://www.longbeachfilm.com/.

Photo Credit: LenMarks Photography

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