Long Beach International Film Festival Kicks Off Today

The 3rd Annual Long Beach Intl Film Festival will run today, July 30th through Monday, August 4th in various locations throughout Long Island. Come watch the latest and greatest hand-picked independent movie releases from around the world and take part in exclusive film and music events, Q & A panels with award winning filmmakers and directors and much more!

Celebrities Invited and expected to attend include: Joan Jett, Daniel Baldwin, Chris Monty (Mall Cop), Joey Kola (Rachel Ray), Michael Kenneth Williams (The Wire), Kevin Farley (Brother of Chris Farley of SNL), Richard Pryor Jr., Vikki Ziegler (Bravo), Raquel Castro (The Voice), Siobhan Magnus (American Idol) and others, including Billy Crystal, UFC Champ Chris Weidman, WBO Champ Chris Algieri and Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), are pending.

"The Long Beach International Film Festival continues to provide an opportunity for filmmakers to come and see the types of filming locations Nassau County has to offer whether it be our beaches, mansions, suburban areas and, of course, Gold Coast Studios and Grumman Studios, which are all New York State-approved movie studios which qualify for the much sought after 30% tax credit,", said Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano.

Do you have dreams of winning an Academy Award? Learn the tips, tricks and secrets of the trade at the #LBIFFNY invitation only filmmakers workshop hosted by the NYS Governors Film Office at Grumman Movie Studios, 500 Grumman Rd West in Bethpage, Long Island NY on Wednesday July 30th.

"The Long Beach International Film Festival has been incredibly popular in each of its first two years, and we are so excited for this year's expanded event. The Festival has already become a wonderful City tradition that thousands of residents and Visitors look forward to attending" said Jack Schnirman, Long Beach City Manager.

Among the highlights of the festival is the world premiere of "Wisdom to Know The Difference" which was directed by Massapequa, Long Island NY's own Daniel Baldwin and stars his brother William Baldwin, Lou Diamond Phillips and others. This exciting screening will take place at Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave. Rockville Centre, Long Island NY as part of our opening ceremonies on Wednesday July 30th and will feature an exclusive Q & A with Daniel Baldwin and his cast and crew after the film.

"Having the Madison Theater involved this year is a wonderful addition to the festival, and especially exciting due to the fact the Long Beach Theatre is still closed due to Hurricane Sandy", said Craig Weintraub, Co-Founder of the LBIFF.

Feeling nostalgic? Join them in Lido Beach, Long Island NY for their #TBT "Throwback Thursday Drive-In Movie Night" where they will be presenting the film classic "Grease" at Nickerson Beach, 880 Lido Blvd on Thursday July 31st. Gates open at 6pm.

Then, on Friday August 1st come party in the sand at the Allegria Hotel, 80 West Broadway in Long Beach, Long Island NY and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere provided by the Long Beach Boardwalk and the Atlantic Ocean.

Experience FREE short films and music Side By Side with celebrities and filmmakers on the red carpet during the "Shorts on the Beach" Film Series. Enjoy musical performances by Cass Dillon, Ben Metzger, Joe Horowitz, and Ruff Stuff as Jamaica Tourism creates a "Little Jamaica" on the beach for the festival goers.

Features, shorts, documentaries and more will also be screening at the beautiful, newly renovated Madison Theatre at Molloy College in Rockville Centre on Saturday August 2nd and Sunday August 3rd.

Additionally, their awards gala will also take place at Madison Theatre; where comedian Chris Monte (from Mall Cop 2 and other films) will perform selections from his Off-Broadway play, "Shut Up Sit Down and Eat", hosted by legendary long Island comedian Joey Kola, on Monday August 4th.

Ingrid Dodd, Co-Founder of the Long Beach International Film Festival remarked, "Long Island has always supported the television and motion picture industry. It is amazing to see these successful production studios bringing projects such as the new Spider Man movie to our area, becoming proof positive that Long Island is a go to destination for filmmakers. In fact, in support of this, we are awarding a free day of filming on the Grumman stage to our Festival winner for Best Picture. Film is alive and well on Long Island".

Last year's Festival had a great outpouring of support from local celebrities in film, music and sports including Scott Franklin, Billy Crystal, Joan Jett, Dee Snider, Burt Young and UFC Champion Chris Weidman - and more of the same is confirmed and expected for this time around. With a VIP All Access #LBIFFNY Pass, you'll be front and center for all the action!

Pricing runs from $15 for one screening to a VIP all access pass for $200 which includes Opening Night, Drive-In Movie, Shorts on the Beach Film Series, Free Concert Series, VIP Filmmakers Lounge, All films Saturday and Sunday, Filmmaker Q & A's and Closing Night. Screenings at Madison Theatre are not appropriate for children under 13.

For more info and tickets go to www.longbeachfilm.com, follow on Twitter @LBIFFNY, Instagram @LBIFFNY or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Longbeachinternationalfilmfestival.

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