Westerns ride into town as LIIFE opens for week of film
LIIFE
The Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) will hold its 16th annual installment at the historic Bellmore Movies from Wednesday, July 17 through Thursday, July 25. Showing 146 films from around the world, LIIFE will showcase movies from 18 countries, with 36 of the films having Long Island ties and 35 more hailing from New York in general.
For the first time since the festival moved to the Bellmore Movies from Malverne, traditional American westerns – with horses, tumbleweed n’ dusty cowboys – with get billing.
“These are good films,” remarked Debra Markowitz, director of the film festival.
“Dawn of Conviction’ is a gorgeous film,” she continued. “But we also picked them not so much for their western setting, but because they tell a good tale, they are quality films, they are entertaining and they may also provide a message of social or political import.”
In “Dawn of Conviction,” for example, The London Gang, a group of bandits in the 1880s, wreaks havoc throughout Dakota Territory – and within the gang itself.
In the movie, co-directors and co-writers Dennis Donovan, Matther Petterson, Patrick Hendrickson and Robert Camisa pose the question about relationships: What is it that keeps people together and what is it that pulls people apart?
“Dawn of Conviction” will have its world premier as a feature film on Thursday, July 18, during the 5 p.m. block.
No typical western
“Skeleton Canyon” isn’t the typical cowboy western. A retired marshal on the hunt for his dead son replaces a gun-slinging sheriff riding horses through town. Outlaws from the marshal’s past are inevitable in Kenneth Oefelein’s short film.
“Skeleton Canyons” New York Premier takes place on Friday, July 19, during the 2:30 p.m. block.
Treasure-chaser Weston Giroux sets out for a second time to find an elusive, legendary relic in Jake Lloyd’s ‘Skull Rosary of Frao’ Ranggoh.” As Mr. Giroux, this “past-his-prime adventurer,” and his less-than-experienced sidekick get closer to the relic – and the truth about what happened during the first attempt of finding the relic is revealed.
“Skull Rosary of Frao’ Ranggoh” has its New York Premier on Tuesday, July 23, during the noon block.
Supports independent film
“Nassau County has always been a supporter of independent and studio films, and it’s our pleasure to bring this type of entertainment and cultural opportunity to our constituents,” remarked Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano.
“LIIFE also provides 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 state-approved movie studios which qualify for the much sought after 30% tax credit.”
“What makes LIIFE such an important film festival,” said Merokian Debra Markowitz, Nassau County Film Office director, “is not only that we bring rare short and feature-length independent films to the public, but that LIIFE has fostered a growing film community.”
She said that filmmakers from around the world apply and return year after year to meet old friends and finding new contacts to work with. From local to foreign filmmaker, casting director to actor, producer to director and so on, many lasting connections are made every year, she continued.
“What’s different is that we actually have three westerns at this year’s LIIFE,” said Ms. Markowitz. “We also have a horror block on Saturday, July 20, at 9:15 p.m. That’s becoming a yearly standard.”
The festival begins with a traditional film festival warm-up today, July 17, and kicks into high gear on Friday, July 19, with the opening night feature, “Wet Behind the Ears,” by past LIIFE winner Sloan Copeland.
Stars appear at late Friday opening
The late-Friday block is anchored by Fred Carpenter’s “Send No Flowers,” starring Sean Young, Tony LoBianco, Robert Clohessy and Gianni Russo. Ms. Young, Mr. Lo Bianco and Jackie Martling have confirmed they will attend that screening.
Besides the USA, this year’s films come from France, Belgium, Israel, the Netherlands, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Poland, Serbia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Africa and Canada.
LIIFE also has panels on scriptwriting, film distribution and financing, a filmmakers’ breakfast panel and an opening night reception.
The closing night party and awards ceremony celebration complete with a buffet, celebrities, winners clips and filmmakers from all over the world will be held on Thursday, July 25.
This year’s honorees include William Sadler (“Iron Man 3”) and Ally Sheedy (“Breakfast Club”). Presenters include Federico Castellucio (“The Sopranos”) and Robert Clohessy (“Blue Bloods”) with more signing on daily.
Celebrities appear schedule permitting, and the line-up could change before the festivities.
For information on the 16th Annual Long Island International Film Expo, go to www.longislandfilm.com or e-mail debfilm@aol.com. Or call 571-3168.
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