Our main location for all film screenings, Directors Audition Panel, and the Closing Night Awards Ceremony:
Bellmore Movies & Showplace
222 Pettit Ave, Bellmore, NY 11710
All Panels (except the Directors Audition Panel), Filmmaker Meetups, and Opening Night Party will take place in the Filmmakers Lounge
230 Pettit Ave, Bellmore, NY 11710
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 • 12:00PM – 3:00PM
LOCATION
Bellmore Movies And Showplace – 222 Pettit Ave, Bellmore NY
Reader
Julia Winer is a New York based actor with training from Hunter College (23’) and Take 2 Actor’s Studio, as well as a number of other reputable institutions. She fell in love with acting in high school and has stuck with the craft ever since. Some of her film credits include Daphne in Brimstone, Augustina in Tried by Fire, Chrissy in Wait List: A Love-ish Story, and Eden in REAL.
Brian Russell grew up in Connecticut, and then worked in business, business, business for what felt like forever. In 2009 he accidentally started shooting and editing video. Along the way, he became a multi-award winning director and cinematographer. Russell has worked with the likes of Edwards Burns, Zoe Kravitz, Arianna Huffington, and has even profiled the entire cast of Saturday Night Live. He was the cinematographer of the Tribeca Film Festival selection The Counterfeiter, which was later broadcast on ESPN. In recent years, his writing and directing has garnered dozens of film festival awards. Russell’s recent films include SilverSizzle, Not the Same Clarence and Past Prologue. In addition to his narrative filmmaking, Russell is also a sought after writer and director for Fortune 500 companies and non-profit fundraising.
Weston Porter is a director, writer, and producer from Las Vegas, Nevada. He began his artistic journey at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, where he studied acting and musical theatre. After graduating, he initially pursued a Business Administration degree at the University of San Francisco but quickly found his passion for filmmaking, creating his first short film ‘Alice’ on a “zero dollar” budget and using his friends as actors. The film was a Top 16 finalist at the national Campus Movie Fest. This ultimately led him to the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts where he directed and produced several student short films. During his time at the university, Weston also worked with Los Angeles-based art gallery MAMA, helping to curate physical and video exhibitions with renowned artists, actors, and musicians including Jena Malone, Lana del Rey, Ren Hang, Daniel Johnston, James Georgopoulos, Amanda Charchian and many more. After graduating with a B.A. in Cinematic Arts Critical Studies, he spent a year working on various independent projects with his former classmates. The following year, he returned to USC to pursue his MFA in Film Production, where he served as director, producer, and cinematographer on numerous projects. He recently graduated Magna Cum Laude and served as the sole producer for the USC thesis film ‘Vuelve’. Weston recently completed his debut professional short film ‘Line of Fire’ starring Academy Award nominee Cathy Moriarty and Independent Spirit Award nominee Sidney Flanigan. He is currently working to develop his first feature.
Jennifer Enskat is an Actor, Director and Award-Winning Producer and Editor. Beginning her career at the ripe age of four, Jen has worked for decades as an actor in film, TV, theatre, radio and television commercials from Los Angeles to New York, working with directors like Stephen Chbosky, Kevin Smith and Adrian Lyne. Having dabbled in production classes while studying theatre at Northwestern University, Jen eventually turned to the production side, adding the roles of director, producer and editor to her repertoire, working in short film, documentaries, commercials and webseries, winning film festival awards for Female Filmmaker of the Year (Austin Revolution), Best Editor (at LIIFE), and many “Best of” awards for documentary film, horror/suspense film and comedy web series plus nominations for Best Director and was a Finalist in the Accolade Global Film Competition Humanitarian of the Year Award for The Bride Price, her documentary about forced marriage.
Lukas Hassel is an actor, writer and filmmaker living in New York City. Born and raised in Denmark, he studied acting in The Samuel Beckett Theatre School, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. He recurred on The Blacklist, NBC as Elias VanDyke in seasons 8 and 9 as well as in Blue Bloods, Elementary, Law and Order and more, and feature films like The Black Room, Slapface, The 7th Secret and Art of the Dead. As a writer, he has won the ScreenCraft and CineStory Fellowships and many more writing competitions with his screenplays across genres like horror, sci-fi, drama and psychological thriller. As a director, Lukas created the award winning short films, the sci-fi “Into the Dark” about to be developed into a feature length, and psychological horror, “The Son, the Father…”, each of which screened in hundreds of film festivals around the world.
He just wrapped filming on his feature screenplay, the psychological thriller, House of Abraham, starring opposite Natasha Henstridge and Lin Shaye.
Debra Markowitz created and served as the Director of the Nassau County Film Commission for 33 years. She also serves as President of the Long Island Film-TV Foundation, Long Island’s most established and largest not-for-profit which runs the LIIFE, the Long Island International Film Expo.
Debra is a novelist (the Karmic Wind Trilogy: Naked in the Rain, Sarah and Caleb and Karmic Wind), award winning screenwriter and director of shorts, features and TV pilots, film consultant, casting director and teaches director to actor workshops. Debra was a judge for potential incoming drama students at the LaGuardia Arts High School (The FAME school) for several years.
Several of Debra’s films have screened at Academy Award Qualifying Film Festivals: Chosen (Director/Producer) screened at LA Shorts, The Last Taxi Driver (Writer/Director/Producer) screened at the HollyShorts Monthly Screening Series, Shoot Me Nicely (Casting Director/Producer) screened at HollyShorts and Won Best TV Pilot, was a Winner of the Diamond Award at LA Shorts, and My Cross to Bear (Producer/Casting Director) screened at Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival. Debra’s screenplay, Just Look Into My Eyes, was a semifinalist in both Flickers and HollyShorts and has won several other screenplay competitions. The screenplay of The Only Woman in the World won Best Screenplay at several international Film Festivals. Her feature screenplay, Wait List: A Love-ish Story, was a semifinalist at the Big Apple Film Festival. Debra is filming the 10 episode LGBTQIA+ limited series, Couple of Guys, is developing feature film, Yule Tides, and is in post production on feature film, Wait List: A Love-ish Story, and continues to write. Her work can be found at www.IntentionFilmsandMedia.com
Rob is an award winning filmmaker whose work ranges from documentaries to puppet films to horror. Rob directed the Clive Barker documentary “Abarat – The Artist’s Passion’ for Fangoria. He’s worked with such artists as Rob Zombie, KNB Studios and the late Stan Winston for Fangoria as well. His vampire horror short Harmony is currently streaming on TubiTV. Recently he has directed several segments for Sesame Street which has been a life long dream. He is also Co-Host of the horror podcast Stabby Road.
Scott W. Perry was born and raised on Long Island, where he still lives. At an early age, Scott developed a love for film. He particularly had a fondness for the horror genre by living in the town of Amityville. In 2000, Scott focused his energies on screenwriting and studied intensely. In 2005, Perry launched his production company Slick Devil Entertainment and began making short films etched in the horror genre. After a string of successes and coverage in Fangoria magazine amongst many film publications around the world, Perry launched the hit web series “In Fear Of” in 2012, gaining recognition in producing 20 episodes, and writing and directing 8 himself. In 2015 and 2016, Perry was nominated for Best Short Film at the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards (considered the Oscars of independent horror) for the In Fear Of episode “Glossophobia,” which he co-directed with genre icon Debbie Rochon, and the macabre drama “Once, When I Was Dead,” starring Tiffany Shepis. Perry has amassed over 15 film festival awards from 25 nominations over his career as a writer, producer, and director.
In 2023, Perry’s latest film “Follower” has been a huge festival success, winning 5 awards. Perry is currently in development on his first feature film “D.O.T.,” a finalist in the 2024 Long Island International Film Expo Screenplay Competition.
Writer / Director Elias Plagianos’ film and television projects have won Best Director, Best Writer, Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best TV Pilot, and Best Actor awards for his cast at over 75 International Film Festivals including over 10 of MovieMaker Magazine’s list of Top 25/50 Festivals, and four Academy Award qualifying festivals.
Recently Elias’ detective drama “Hudson Falls”, had its International Premiere at the prestigious CANNESERIES where it was named a festival favorite. It is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.
In 2023, Elias won BEST DIRECTOR at SeriesFest, for “Hit Man: Secrets of Lies”– which he is currently developing as a series with a studio to be announced this summer. It is based on the novel “Hit Man” by best selling author and Grand Master of Mystery Lawrence Block.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 • 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Our Annual Opening Day Press Conference – Filmmakers are encouraged to attend and be part of the festivities.
She made her acting debut acting opposite Robert DeNiro in Martin Scorcese’s Raging Bull.
That performance earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, and the British Academy Film Award.
She worked with such greats as Sidney Lumet, Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramos, and James Mangold.
Her film appearances included Neighbors, Kindergarten Cop, Soapdish, Casper, Cop Land, Analyze That and PattiCake$ as well as numerous television shows including City of a Hill, This is Us, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, and so many more.
She has appeared in many independent films including Shari Umansky’s film Chosen, directed by our own Debra Markowitz, and this year’s, Line of Fire, directed by Weston Porter.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 • 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Join us for our opening day party! A two-hour networking event, immediately following the press conference, where filmmakers can begin picking up their passes with opening remarks by our festival director, an interview station, hors d’oeuvres, and our beer & wine bar.
Thursday, July 11 • 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Live Table Read of the Winning Feature Length Screenplay – Screenplay TBA
LOCATION
Filmmakers Lounge – 228 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710
Written by Mikel J. Wisler
Diana Porter is an award-winning actor and filmmaker whose work has been featured at festivals worldwide, including Fantasia, Scares That Care, Sci-Fi London, and The Long Island Film Expo. While she continues to work as an actor, her dystopian thriller, Subscribed, has also established her as a talented director. On Instagram and at festival panels, she shares lessons learned from a decade of submitting to and attending festivals, helping independent filmmakers avoid mistakes and maximize their film festival experiences.
Stacey Van Gorder has appeared on the hit shows Sinking Spring, Gossip Girl, The Deuce, and has produced the independent television series HUDSON FALLS (Richard Kind, Jessica Hecht), which was an official selection for the 2021 Cannes International Series and SeriesFest television festivals. She returned to SeriesFest in 2023 with the pilot HITMAN. Stacey brings her years of experience as an actor and producer to the Long Island International Expo
Ryan DeNicola was born and raised on Long Island, New York. A dedicated athlete for the better part of his life. He has turned over to a new page in his story, by diving into the world of the arts. He has been studying with Chris Cardona of the Actors Workshop for two years now. He has appeared in several short films, and was fortunate enough to receive a small role in the series “Couple of Guys” created by Debra Markowitz. This led to Ryan receiving a second small role in another Debra Markowitz feature, “Wait List: A Love-ish Story.” He continues to study hard and is very grateful to be back at this years event with the independent film community of Long Island!
Janet Miranda is a seasoned, multi lingual, union actress with over 25 years of experience, beginning her career at age 4. She trained at New York City’s 78th Street Theater Lab and she also honed her craft through Method techniques with mentors like Sondra Lee, Chaz Palminteri and Keith David. Miranda has appeared in several commercials, over 50 TV episodes, 25 films, and several off broadway shows including shows “Automatic Superstar” Off-Broadway as a dancer and “Yanagai Yanagai” at LaMama Theater in NYC. Conservational in Spanish and Russian, Miranda brings a multicultural perspective to her roles. She also excels as a TV and Media host, known for her work on “News in Entertainment” and “Motivations TV”. Miranda recently hosted a red carpet event for the African American Women in Cinema Film Festival Awards. She is a proud Her upcoming projects include roles in the films “Noel Noel” and “Mother Knows Best,” currently in post-production.
Bec Fordyce is an Australian actress, filmmaker and makeup artist. She is a dual citizen of both Australia and the United States.
John Marean, co-owner of Intention Films and Media, graduated with his MFA in Technical Design and Production from the Yale School of Drama. He started his career as the Technical Director of the Hudson Guild Theater, then became Production Manager of Playwrights’ Horizons/Scenic Central and built sets for Nickelodeon, as well as many other Broadway, off-Broadway, television and feature film productions. John has taught almost every subject invented by the NYCDOE since 1991 and had been the technical director at the LaGuardia Arts school (the FAME school) and continues to teach production at Five Towns College. In 2006, John became the Technical Director of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation which he held until 2022, though he still contributes to the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE).
John’s acting career began at Binghamton University as a member of The Valley Players inhabiting such lead roles as Harold Hill in The Music Man, Paul Bratter in Barefoot in the Park, and RP McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He played Sergeant Trotter in Mousetrap, McCorquodale, a defrocked, syphilitic priest in Funeral Games, Mordred in Camelot, and Francis Flute in Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. John’s work in independent film includes roles such as Carl the chop shop owner in The Night Never Sleeps, Dr. Carpenter, a substance abuse counselor, in Jesse, biker Weasel in The Big-Shot Caller, the tattoo shop owner in STUFF, the OK delivery guy in Couple of Guys and as the leads of John Henry and the Tax Collector in Living Like Kings. John plays both Hitler’s Brain and a Scottish priest in the animated series, Ditmars. John was part of the Medieval reenactor group, MSR, and is proficient in fencing and live steel fighting.
Sarah Schoofs is a New York based actor that tends to find the dark corners in film. After wrapping up a successful festival run with the short film ‘Cameo’, she can also be seen in features Theresa & Allison, Meme, Valentine Bluffs, Ayla & Gut.
Website: https://sarahschoofsactor.com
FRIDAY, JULY 12 • 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
LOCATION
Filmmakers Lounge – 228 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710
Selected by Chambers USA every year since 2005, The Best Lawyers in America for 2019 and 2020, and by Super Lawyers since 2008 as one of the top Entertainment Lawyers in NYC, Jacobson built his unique practice by focusing on his two passions: music and film.
In the music area, he represented the estates of George & Ira Gershwin, Elvis Presley and Duke Ellington and important songwriters such as Jimmy Webb, Shakira, James Brown and Holland-Dozier-Holland. He represented the digital jukebox industry in its negotiations for performing rights, as well as the Cheer and Spirit industry regarding its use of music. He handles sophisticated music publishing and recording transactions, as well as negotiations to license the use of music by non-traditional music users.
Jacobson also handles all legal aspects of filmed entertainment for a variety of films. He worked on “Conviction” with Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell, “Texasville,” with Jeff Bridges and Cybil Shepard and “All’s Fair” with George Segal and Sally Kellerman, “Back in The Day,” with Alec Baldwin and Anabella Sciorria,” Born to Lead: The Sal Aneuse Story,” “Inversion,” and others. He is or has served as Executive Producer for “Nitrous!,” “Leaves of the Tree” and “Hostage.”
He is the Founding Chairman of the NYS Bar Association Section on Entertainment Arts & Sports Law, testified before Congress and WIPO regarding the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and was Adjunct Professor of Entertainment Law at Fordham University Law School, CUNY Law School and The New School. He speaks regularly at bar association and other events about issues related to his practice. He has received many awards relating to his abilities as an attorney. He is licensed to practice law in New York, California, and Florida.
Earl Eaton began his insurance career in 1984 with Equitable Life in NYC. He established the Eaton Insurance Agency in 1996 with a specialty in insurance for the Photographers, Filmmakers, Production Companies, Talent Agencies and Advertising Agencies. Earl earned the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters Designation in 1998 and is Past President of the New York State Independent Agents Association for Suffolk County and Past President of the Long Island Chapter of the National Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters Society.
Michael Prywes is managing attorney of Prywes Greenberg, P.C., a New York law firm that serves artists and creative entrepreneurs. Michael is also the author of the bestselling practical guide “The Gasp: How to Seize That A-Ha! Moment and Turn It into a Winning Business.” His podcast “How I Broke Into” takes a deep dive into the big breaks of successful artists and businesspeople; guests have included Hal Elrod (“The Miracle Morning), Emmy-winner Reed Morano (“A Handmaid’s Tale”), ballet gold medalist Brooklyn Mack (The Washington Ballet), National Book Award finalist Taffy Brodesser-Akner (“Fleishman Is In Trouble”), and museum sculptor Rhoda Sherbell (MOMA, Cooperstown).
He is also a former media professional with a background in film, theatre, video, art, music, Internet, and law. A tech enthusiast since the age of 5, when he learned to program Basic on a TI-99/4A, Michael built the first globally crowdsourced audience voting entertainment site, CastOurMovie, which was featured in the Industry Standard, Time, Entertainment Weekly, and U.S. News and World Report.
On the legal side of the entertainment industry, Michael has served as Law Clerk for New Video Group/Docurama (now Cinedigm), distributor of the A&E/History, Scholastic, and Major League Baseball labels, and has worked for ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Performers). Michael has been involved in the drafting of agreements and negotiations with the companies guiding the future of media and technology convergence: Amazon Unbox, Apple iTunes, Netflix, etc.
Michael’s creative career began before attending Northwestern University, when he attended the Long Island High School for the Arts (then known as The Cultural Arts Center of Long Island) as a visual artist. His 4×5 acrylic on canvas “20th Century Icon” was featured in the Sabbeth Art Gallery and a juried competition before he graduated high school. Michael’s creative endeavors continued to expand while he attended Northwestern University as a Performance Studies major. Michael became a theater critic for the Daily Northwestern and Art + Performance Magazine, and later Art Editor of Northwestern’s oldest journal of the humanities, Helicon. His short story, “Teddy Bear” was published in Helicon, and his short story “Semicolon” was a finalist in the Robert Van Sant Writing Competition. As producer and writer of “7th Grade Blues,” the largest scale independent 16mm film production on campus in 1995, Michael honed his resource development, marketing, and business skills for a wider audience. In 1996, Michael earned the Elie Wiesel National Award for Jewish Arts and Culture after launching the still-thriving Jewish Theatre Ensemble, which has co-produced a project with Chicago’s famed Steppenwolf Theater Company, as well as Northwestern University’s legendary Dolphin Show.
Michael considers himself a lifelong learner and teacher, and a mentor to his clients. He is currently an adjunct professor of law at Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, where he teaches entertainment law to law students. At Five Towns College, Michael served for 2 and a half years as Chair of the Film & Television program, and he taught media law, producing, and writing to undergraduate arts students. He also has taught intellectual property law and negotiation at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus to MFA candidates. Additionally, he has taught writing and film at St. John’s University and CUNY Queens College and has been a guest speaker at a number of schools including UCLA and NYU.
Michael was one of 12 students selected for Northwestern University’s “Creative Writing for the Media Program,” the program that also included Hollywood veterans Seth Meyers (“Late Night”), Janae Bakken (“Scrubs”), and Breen Frazier (“Criminal Minds”). He also graduated from UCLA’s Professional Screenwriting Program. Michael received his JD from the Hofstra University School of Law, where he attended on a Full Merit Scholarship, and was selected as a Dean’s Scholar.
Michael was elected in 2017 (and twice re-elected) to serve as one of seven trustees of the Half Hollow Hills Central School District Board of Education, one of the largest districts on Long Island and ranked #1 in Suffolk County.
FRIDAY, JULY 12 • 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
LOCATION
Filmmakers Lounge – 228 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710
Preferred Shooting Mode: Digital
Camera Displayed: Canon c70
Where you are based/shooting primarily: NYC/CT Based
Eddie Lebron Jr is an 3x Emmy Award winning editor, cinematographer, and director currently working in the Manhattan tri-state area with over 12 years active in the industry. A graduate of The School of Visual Arts with a BFA in Film and Video, he has worked for clients such as Jergen, BET, Viacom, PBS and NBC, amongst others. Eddie’s work both behind the camera and in post production has been seen at festivals such as Tribeca Festival, CineQuest, and right here in Long Island through LIIFE.
Preferred Shooting Format: Digital, Video
Camera Model to be displayed: Sony FX9
Where you are based/shooting primarily: NYC (Northeast Region)
David is Assignment Desk/ Go To Crews Staffed NYC DP. As a native to Brooklyn. He is well-rounded in shooting interviews, shorts and broadcast sports / news stories . He enjoys bring other people’s stories to reality as well. His 7 years in the industry has shaped his shooting to make everything he shoots broadcast quality no matter the audience.
Preferred Shooting Format: 16mm film, Arri Alexa, Sony
Camera Model to be displayed: Sony FX6 with Contax Zeiss glass
Where you are based/shooting primarily: Brooklyn based but shooting world wide
Aaron Cassara was interested in film from a young age and pursued the art form because of the collaborative nature. He graduated with honors from Columbia College. His first film after school, Barista, premiered at Sarasota.
He has been freelancing in TV, film and video for 13 years. His focus when not on set has been developing features. He has four scripts written and three in development.
Preferred Shooting Format: Film – 16mm, 8mm
Camera Model to be displayed: Aaton LTR, GSMO, R16, K3
Where you are based/shooting primarily: NY/Brooklyn based
Philip Kral is a New York based filmmaker, with a focus on celluloid based film formats and on-set sound recording. Philip grew up shooting super8 in the 90’s and has held a firm passion for film medium’s through the digital age. Following a recent resurgence in Super16 and 35mm filmmaking, he also provides consulting for up and coming filmmakers who want to learn more about the format. He has done camerawork on over 40 films, and provided on-set sound recording for over 20 short films since 2010.
Preferred Shooting Format: Black Magic 6K Pocket and RED Komodo X
Camera Model to be displayed: RED Komodo X
Where you are based/shooting primarily: NY/Long Island
John Marean, co-owner of Intention Films and Media, graduated with his MFA in Technical Design and Production from the Yale School of Drama. He started his career as the Technical Director of the Hudson Guild Theater, then became Production Manager of Playwrights’ Horizons/Scenic Central and built sets for Nickelodeon, as well as many other Broadway, off-Broadway, television and feature film productions. John has taught almost every subject invented by the NYCDOE since 1991 and had been the technical director at the LaGuardia Arts school (the FAME school) and continues to teach production at Five Towns College. In 2006, John became the Technical Director of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation which he held until 2022, though he still contributes to the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE).
John’s acting career began at Binghamton University as a member of The Valley Players inhabiting such lead roles as Harold Hill in The Music Man, Paul Bratter in Barefoot in the Park, and RP McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He played Sergeant Trotter in Mousetrap, McCorquodale, a defrocked, syphilitic priest in Funeral Games, Mordred in Camelot, and Francis Flute in Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. John’s work in independent film includes roles such as Carl the chop shop owner in The Night Never Sleeps, Dr. Carpenter, a substance abuse counselor, in Jesse, biker Weasel in The Big-Shot Caller, the tattoo shop owner in STUFF, the OK delivery guy in Couple of Guys and as the leads of John Henry and the Tax Collector in Living Like Kings. John plays both Hitler’s Brain and a Scottish priest in the animated series, Ditmars. John was part of the Medieval reenactor group, MSR, and is proficient in fencing and live steel fighting.
Preferred Shooting Format: Whatever is right for the project!
Camera: Sony FX9, with Blazar 85mm Anamorphic Lens
Based: Yonkers NY, but frequently travel
Hailing from the Lehigh Valley area in Pennsylvania and now based in New York, Derek is an accomplished cinematographer with a portfolio spanning narrative feature films, short films, music videos, and documentaries.
He has lensed documentary projects such as the Emmy nominated “The One and Only Dick Gregory” and the Oscar shortlisted “Angola Do You Hear Us”, music videos with artists such as Wiz Khalifa and Rick Ross, and promotional content for some of the biggest films and shows in the world such as Succession and Oppenheimer.
Derek’s experience has also led to his appointment as a judge in the cinematography category at the 2023 News and Documentary Emmy Awards.
Between projects, Derek enjoys playing ice hockey, as well as geeking out on all things aviation and space travel.
FRIDAY, JULY 12 • 8:00 PM
LOCATION
Filmmakers Lounge – 228 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710
Saturday, July 13 • 11:00 AM
LOCATION
Filmmakers Lounge – 228 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710
MODERATOR
Mitchell Bard is a media professor at Iona University in New Rochelle, N.Y. Mitchell has written, produced, and directed feature films, short films, and music videos. He has also worked in development and distribution.
Since 1991, Glenn has worked on some of the most successful movie and television projects in entertainment history. Glenn is credited as Producer, Director, Editor, or Visual Effects Producer on over 120 feature films and television shows spanning 35 years, earning two Emmy Awards as VFX Producer on Boardwalk Empire. He is the co-owner of the New York-based, award-winning visual effects studio, Brainstorm Digital. Glenn is currently pitching screenplays along with his novel, PLAYED: The Games of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, to studios worldwide.
Writer/Director/Producer
Brian Russell grew up in Connecticut, and then worked in business, business, business for what felt like forever. In 2009 he accidentally started shooting and editing video. Along the way, he became a multi-award winning director and cinematographer. Russell has worked with the likes of Edwards Burns, Zoe Kravitz, Arianna Huffington, and has even profiled the entire cast of Saturday Night Live. He was the cinematographer of the Tribeca Film Festival selection The Counterfeiter, which was later broadcast on ESPN. In recent years, his writing and directing has garnered dozens of film festival awards. Russell’s recent films include SilverSizzle, Not the Same Clarence and Past Prologue. In addition to his narrative filmmaking, Russell is also a sought after writer and director for Fortune 500 companies and non-profit fundraising.
Juanpedro David and Francisco Salazar are filmmakers who divide their time between New York where they grew up and Colombia. David holds an M.S. from Fordham University while Francisco holds an M.S. from the New School. Their first feature “Nowhere” (2020) went to over 20 Film Festivals including Outfest Fusion and Cinequest and was nominated for two Colombian Academy Awards. It also won Best First Film, Best in Show, and Best Feature at several festivals including the Chesapeake Film Festival, OMovies, and Woods Hole Film Festival. The film was acquired by TLA Releasing and Optimale. In 2019 they were selected for the first annual Latinx List from The Black List. Colibri is their second feature film.
Maria is a proud member of the PGA. She has served the arts community on Long Island, NY and in Los Angeles for over 20 years. Her multi-disciplinary expertise includes work as an award-winning writer, director, producer, and acting coach. She has served as an advocate, speaker, committee and board member for such organizations as Women In Media, The Millie D’Agostino Scholarship Fund, Breaking into Hollywood, Youth Biz Alliance, NYSTEA, EdTA, BOCES – Arts in Education, and Kids for Kids Productions. Maria produced Cappricielli Production’s first feature, Reach starring Garrett Clayton (Hairspray LIVE, Teen Beach Movies) and Joey Bragg (Liv and Maddie). Reach released in 10 of the top 20 major markets throughout the US, she negotiated a North American distribution deal with Entertainment Studio’s Freestyle Digital Media, and international sales deal. Reach went on to become an official selection at both the Dances With Films Festival and the Outshine LGBTQ Film Festival. The Westfield International Film Festival nominated Reach for best feature, best screenplay, and honored Maria as best female producer. Garrett Clayton was awarded best lead actor in a drama for his role in Reach at the CATE Film Festival in Santa Monica. Her documentary,Maria produced and negotiated sales and distribution for the high school comedy feature film DIVOS! starring Jason Busey, Nicole Sullivan and Marissa Jaret Winokur. A lover of music, Maria consistently creates award winning music and music videos including HURRICANE featuring Emmy award winning rapper Chris Redd (Saturday Night Live) and Emmy award winning hair and makeup artist, Mo Meinhart (Hulu’s Pam and Tommy). After producing the successful world premiere of the one act play, Pizza & Whine at the Hudson Guild Theatres in New York and Los Angeles, Maria adapted the two main characters, Jennifer and Natalyn to the screen in Marvista Entertainment holiday film, Four Cousins and a Christmas, now available on Hulu, Peacock, and Tubi. The film stars Teri Polo, Nicholas Turturro, Robert Davi, and Jared Sandler, making this feature Maria’s directorial debut. Maria secured a record label producing the soundtrack of the same name. She continues to create content, writing, directing and producing while aligning with other like minded content creators taking projects from development through sales. Maria enjoys the biz of show biz as much as the creative and relishes in buyer relationships with major digital streaming outlets to bring stories to audiences all over the world. Maria secured the worldwide and theatrical rights for Weekly World News Studios presents: The Zombie Wedding, starring Cheri Otero (Saturday Night Live), Micky Dolenz (The Monkees), and Vinny Pastore (The Sopranos). Last summer Maria produced the Lifetime TV MOW, My Life is On The Line in her hometown of Ronkonkoma, NY. She is excited to bring her 2nd directorial feature film home for it’s worldwide premiere at The Long Island International Film Expo: The Lady of the Lake, starring Seth Gilliam (The Walking Dead, Teen Wolf), Nia Sioux (Dance Moms, Imperfect High) and Emery Kelly (Alexa and Katie, Big Shots).
Sean King was born on July 19, 1975 in New York, USA as Sean Quincy King. He is known for his cinematography work on the award winning films “Night For Day” (2008), “The Night Never Sleeps” (2012), “Send No Flowers” (2013), and “Cigarette Soup” (2014). King has also worked as a Director on many commercials, documentaries, feature and television projects as well, such as “The Slack Pack” (1997-2004), “The Ghouligans!” (2005-2015), “Lost Suburbia” (2007), “This Mortal Coil” (2010), “Hunter’s Moon” (2015), “Like Me Deadly” (2020), and “Screamwalkers” (2024). King continues to Produce and Direct his own projects, and to work as a professional Cinematographer and Production Company.
Award-Winning Fiber Artist
Who Crochets Trees to Advocate for the Environment
Alicia Evans is an acclaimed fiber artist, renowned for her unique crocheted trees that serve as a powerful call to action for environmental preservation. Her captivating work is the centerpiece of the documentary *Threads of Nature: The Art and Legacy of Alicia Evans*.
Alicia reimagines trees through intricate crochet, weaving together artistry and advocacy to underscore their crucial role in our ecosystem. Her dedication to tree preservation earned her the prestigious SCR New York State Creative Individual Award in 2023 for her solo exhibition, *Forest of Healing Trees*. This extraordinary exhibition of 17 healing crocheted trees caught the eye of acclaimed filmmakers Kevin A. Lopez and Annmarie Ragucci, inspiring them to create a documentary that has since been showcased at Yale’s International Environmental Festival and other prominent film expos.
“Square Breathing” is Writer/Director Kim Cummings first collaboration with Susannah Nolan, a long-time friend and writing colleague. Cummings’ feature, “In Montauk,” released in 2012, picked up seven awards including Best Director at Toronto Indie Film Fest and the Audience Award for Best Drama at the Woods Hole Film Festival. Richard Propes called “In Montauk” “one of 2012’s indie highlights.” Cummings’ shorts include “Ordinary,” a dance film collaboration with her daughter, Celine Bassman made during the pandemic, Kate Greer’s short, “That’s What She Told Me,” and “Flower Of A Girl,” an experimental film based on a poem by Rebecca Gopoian. Cummings’ first short film, “Weeki Wachee Girls” played in over 70 festivals around the world picking up three Best Of Awards and is available on Cummings’ YouTube Channel. Cummings has received grants from Queens Council on the Arts and the Long Island Film/TV Foundation and was a finalist for the WIF Foundation Post-Production grant. She has also served as a juror for Queens Council on the arts and a panelist on filmmaking panels and grants panels for various arts organizations. Distributed by FilmHub, “In Montauk” is available through several outlets including IndieFlix and AmazonPrime. Cummings is currently working on a new feature script.
Headshot photo credit: Ken Nanus
Saturday, July 13 • 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
LOCATION
Filmmakers Lounge – 228 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710
Mitchell Bard is a media professor at Iona University in New Rochelle, N.Y. Mitchell has written, produced, and directed feature films, short films, and music videos. He has also worked in development and distribution.
Screenwriter, published novelist, award winning director, editor and composer, Stevan is the quintessential auteur. His films Malevolence, Brutal Massacre: A Comedy, and Bereavement, which he wrote, produced, directed, edited, and composed the score for, have been distributed theatrically worldwide and received numerous festival awards. Bereavement, starring Alexandra Daddario (Percy Jackson, San Andreas) was chosen as the opening film for UK’s horror channel line up. His debut novel, Transience, has been published in many countries in several languages. His latest feature, Malevolence 3: Killer, completes his Malevolence trilogy. Stevan is Repped by Juliet Mushens, Caskie Mushens Agency (UK).
Loren-Paul Caplin is a writer and director, as well as an adjunct professor of screenwriting at Columbia University, The New School, Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema and Hofstra University. He is also a script consultant, providing writers with analysis and assistance with their work. Loren has written scripts for Hollywood studios and Independent producers, and he has had plays produced at well respected theaters. His poems have been published by publications like The Paris Review and Rolling Stone.
Saturday, July 13 • 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
LOCATION
Filmmakers Lounge – 228 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710
Debra Markowitz created and served as the Director of the Nassau County Film Commission for 33 years. She also serves as President of the Long Island Film-TV Foundation, Long Island’s most established and largest not-for-profit which runs the LIIFE, the Long Island International Film Expo.
Debra is a novelist (the Karmic Wind Trilogy: Naked in the Rain, Sarah and Caleb and Karmic Wind), award winning screenwriter and director of shorts, features and TV pilots, film consultant, casting director and teaches director to actor workshops. Debra was a judge for potential incoming drama students at the LaGuardia Arts High School (The FAME school) for several years.
Several of Debra’s films have screened at Academy Award Qualifying Film Festivals: Chosen (Director/Producer) screened at LA Shorts, The Last Taxi Driver (Writer/Director/Producer) screened at the HollyShorts Monthly Screening Series, Shoot Me Nicely (Casting Director/Producer) screened at HollyShorts and Won Best TV Pilot, was a Winner of the Diamond Award at LA Shorts, and My Cross to Bear (Producer/Casting Director) screened at Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival. Debra’s screenplay, Just Look Into My Eyes, was a semifinalist in both Flickers and HollyShorts and has won several other screenplay competitions. The screenplay of The Only Woman in the World won Best Screenplay at several international Film Festivals. Her feature screenplay, Wait List: A Love-ish Story, was a semifinalist at the Big Apple Film Festival. Debra is filming the 10 episode LGBTQIA+ limited series, Couple of Guys, is developing feature film, Yule Tides, and is in post production on feature film, Wait List: A Love-ish Story, and continues to write. Her work can be found at
First Contact Film Festival, First Night Morris
Queens, NY native Mark Boutros has worked in film and television production since 2000 when he wrote and produced the short documentary “Gerassi” about Fernando Gerassi, an artist and close personal friend of Jean-Paul Satre who gave up his art to fight against the forces of Franco in the Spanish Civil War. Since then his work has spanned genres from horror to romantic comedy. Most recently, he was the cinematographer for writer/director Patrick Devaney’s film Dad’s New Roommate, which is currently playing in festivals. Mark was the founder of the First Contact film festival in 2014 and is board member of First Night Morris who he is also the director of the First Night Morris Film Festival.
San Antonio Film Festival, Dreamweek San Antonio, San Antonio Black International Film Festival
Writer, director and producer, Cedric Thomas Smith, is a San Antonio native whose journey into film began in 2010 with a short film on LGBT domestic violence that he’d written, “Unimaginable”. While continuing to make social issue driven films over the years, Cedric is embarking on his 10th year as the Program Director for the San Antonio Film Festival,which is now in its 30th year. He has, also, curated programs for Dreamweek San Antonio and San Antonio Black International Film Festival as well as juror for multiple film festivals.
Sam Avery is an award winning filmmaker and educator based in central New York with a passion for visual storytelling. After earning his MFA in Media Arts Production, Sam joined the faculty of the State University of New York, College at Cortland in the department of Communication and Media Studies where he teaches classes in Advanced Film, Advanced Documentary, Studio Television Production and Screenwriting. Sam is also the Executive / Artistic Director of the Blackbird Film Festival, an international film and arts festival based in Cortland, NY that screens over 80 independent films each season from around the world.
With a career spanning over three decades, Sibyl has had significant experience in film, television, and stage production across both the US and Asia. Her collaborations with studios such as MyxTV, Regal Films, Star Cinema, Metro Style, and ABS-CBN; and clients such as Google, YouTube, Target, etc showcases her extensive industry involvement. As President of Sitting Cat Productions, Sibyl has led the release of numerous films such as the feature “SAM,” boasting Executive Producer Mel Brooks which stars Morgan Fairchild, Tom Pelphrey, and Bryan Batt, the U.S. production of Antoinette Jadaone’s “ALONE TOGETHER,” starring Philippine icon Liza Soberano and most recently, the feature “FOLLOW HER,” by award-winning director Sylvia Caminer and featuring Luke Cook, Mark Moses, and Dani Barker.
With a multifaceted career encompassing acting, producing, and directing, her roles extend beyond her creative pursuits, notably, as a valued Member of the Board for NY Women in Film & Television, serving as VP of Events. She’s also a member of the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA), the Producers Guild of America (PGA), and a founding member and former Co-Lead of the AAPI Working Group as part of its One Guild. She’s also a part of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) and Actor’s Equity (AEA), showcasing her talents in various film, television, and stage productions in New York City. Sibyl’s accomplishments have received accolades, including The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York, awarded at Carnegie Hall.
Currently, Sibyl is engaged in a documentary project that has garnered her the covered p.g.a. Mark and simultaneously, she’s at the helm of developing several features, and her own series. Sibyl serves as the Executive Director and Head of Programming of the SOHO Creative Lab (SCL) which presents the SOHO International Film Festival (SIFFNYC) in New York City, marking her 14th year in these pivotal role.
sittingcatproductions.com | sohofilmfest.com | imdb.me/sibylsantiago
Jay Kay is a retro swing music & horror fan, award winning filmmaker, nominated radio show host (Horror Happens Radio & Swingin from Coast2Coast), film festival programmer (HorrorHound/Highlands Horror Film Fest), producer, moderator, staff writer for HorrorHound Magazine, critic, educator for at-risk youth in Newark, NJ, global film festival traveler, and a former student of the Montclair State University’s Filmmaking Program. He has a total of six short films including “Not Your Business,” “No Good Deed,” “[Within the Frame],” “Don’t Eat at Dave’s,” “Death by Broadcasting,” & now the award-winning “Swing 46: The Last Swingin Supper Club” student short documentary. He is currently working on a larger documentary about the impact of the Retro Swing Renaissance, a new short script, & a book!
Saturday, July 13 • 8:00 PM
LOCATION
Filmmakers Lounge – 228 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710
Sunday, July 14 • 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Our Red Carpet will open before the Awards Ceremony, and Press stations will be set up in the lounge and outside (weather permitting) for Filmmaker Interviews.
Sunday, July 14 • 5:00 PM
AWARDS CEREMONY HOST
Kevin “Dotcom” Brown is a winner of the 15th annual “SCREEN ACTORS GUILD” award, for his portrayal of “Dotcom,” in N.B.C.’s “30 ROCK.” and He and his brother Andre created and produced “The Uptown Comedy Club” tv show on FOX five network, which ran for four seasons. His most recent accomplishments of returning to college and receiving his Bachelor’s and Masters Degree after a 40 yr hiatus is what has energized him for this next phase of both his acting and comedy career journeys. He has been a great friend to LIIFE for many years, and I’ve been lucky enough to cast him in numerous independent films, including two of my own.
She made her acting debut acting opposite Robert DeNiro in Martin Scorcese’s Raging Bull.
That performance earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, and the British Academy Film Award.
She worked with such greats as Sidney Lumet, Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramos, and James Mangold.
Her film appearances included Neighbors, Kindergarten Cop, Soapdish, Casper, Cop Land, Analyze That and PattiCake$ as well as numerous television shows including City of a Hill, This is Us, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, and so many more.
She has appeared in many independent films including Shari Umansky’s film Chosen, directed by our own Debra Markowitz, and this year’s, Line of Fire, directed by Weston Porter.
Stage: Sal earned an Artistic Director Achievement Award in L.A., as “Best Lead Actor” for the world premiere “David and Goliath in America”.
Film: Sal won the 2021 Best Supporting Actor Award from the Long Island Int.’l Film Expo. for the feature, “One Moment”, opp. Danny Aiello in his final screen performance.
Other credits: “Fog of War”, opp. John Cusack, “Gotti”, opp. John Travolta.
TV: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, “Law & Order: Organized Crime”, “The Americans” (recurring).
