Long Beach International Film Festival Returns for Third Year

The third annual Long Beach International Film Festival (LBIFF) will return to Molloy College’s Madison Theatre from July 30 through August 4 and promises six days of film premieres, features and documentaries.

Films are slated to screen approximately every two hours and over 50 films from around the globe are expected to be presented. This year, the festival will offer an old-school drive-in movie screening of Grease, complete with roller-skating carhop girls handing out popcorn, a free red carpet “Concert on the Beach,” and the annual “Shorts on the Beach” film series. There will also be feature film screenings and Q&A sessions hosted by the films’ actors and directors.  

“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,” Long Beach City Manager Jack Schnirman said. “The festival has already become a wonderful city tradition and thousands of residents and visitors look forward to attending.”

Presale tickets cost upwards of $175 for a six-day all-access pass. Last year, the festival was supported by local celebrities like Billy Crystal, Joan Jett, Dee Snider, Burt Young and UFC Champion Chris Weidman.

“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,” said Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano. “Whether it be our beaches, mansions, suburban areas, and, of course, Gold Coast Studios and Grumman Studios.”

Wednesday, July 30

Opening Night Ceremony, Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 7:30 p.m.

• “Wisdom to Know the Difference” directed by Long Island-native Daniel Baldwin

• Q&A with Baldwin and others

Thursday, July 31

Old School Throwback Thursday Drive-in Movie, screening Grease, Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, 6 p.m.

Friday, August 1

Red Carpet Opens, Allegria Hotel Beachfront, 5 p.m.

VIP Filmmakers Beach Tent/Red Carpet Experience, Long Beach Boardwalk, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Free Concert Series, Allegria Hotel Beachfront, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Shorts on the Beach Film Series, Allegria Hotel Beachfront, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Saturday, August 2

Rolling Films/Q&A from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

• “Side by Side” directed by Christopher Kenneally
• Q&A with Kenneally and others

Sunday, August 3,

Rolling Films/Q&A from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Monday, August 4

Closing Night Awards Ceremony, Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 7:30 p.m.

• featuring comedy by Chris Monty

For tickets and schedule information, visit longbeachfilm.com or follow LBIFF’s Twitter and Instagram pages.