MASTERCLASS WITH JASON ALEXANDER
*****Still accepting submissions*****
Eight actors will be selected by Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) to participate in a special one-of-a-kind five-day workshop (6/7-11) leading up to the festival. Applicants are required to submit taped auditions (monologue from a PLAY), and upload their resume and headshot
THE LIGHTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Lighthouse International Film Festival on Long Beach Island, New Jersey is not only a world-class film festival, but also a unique cultural beach-centric experience like no other. LIFF was recognized twice by MovieMaker magazine as one of "The 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" (2018, 2020).
The 18th edition of the festival will take place on June 10-14, 2026. In addition to extraordinary screenings of hot new films from Sundance, SXSW, Toronto, Berlin, Cannes, Venice, etc., LIFF also offers engaging panels, masterclasses, and networking events. Elevating the festival experience, LBI's epic beach and bayside catered parties make for a weekend of fun, uniting filmmakers from the United States and around the world.
Located in close proximity to NYC and Philadelphia, LIFF is an ideal destination for both filmmakers and film lovers alike.
Filmmakers who have attended the festival over the years include Academy Award winners Julia Reichert, Steve Bognar, Kim Magnusson, Cynthia Wade and Guy Nattiv; Oscar nominees Nisha Pahuja, Tomer Shushan, Jean de Meuron, Joan Stein Schimke, Kim A. Snyder, Kahane Cooperman and Raphaela Neihausen; critically acclaimed filmmakers Niels Arden Oplev, Elegance Bratton, Ondi Timoner, Nanfu Wang, Kelly O'Sullivan, Ellie Fiombi, Jack Sholder, Keith Maitland, Sonia Kennebeck, and Lynne Sachs; entertainment executives Meredith Kaulfers, Dan O'Meara, Nina Tassler and Kyle Greenberg; producers Chester Algernal Gordon, Lee Broda, and Jonathan Duffy; programmers Thom Powers, Meira Blaustein, and Dan Sullivan; international critics Nathalie Chifflet, Daniel D'Addario and Abbey White.
SUBMISSIONS AND COMPETITIONS
LIFF accepts submissions of narrative features, documentaries, shorts, genres films (Darkhouse), TV/web series projects, surf films, and high school student films.
Selected films compete in one of six categories: narrative features, documentary features, narrative shorts, documentary shorts, Darkhouse features and shorts, TV/web series pilots, and high school shorts. Award winners are decided by the festival jury.
TWO CASH AWARDS INCLUDE:
The Honey Levine & Ed Sinatra Audience Choice Award ($1,000 prize) for narrative and documentary features.
The Florence Tone & Randall Vanderveen Award ($1,500) for best narrative short.
The Jennifer Snyder Bryceland Award ($2,000 prize) for exceptional environmental/social issue documentaries.
LIFF ACCEPTS SUBMISSIONS IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
- Narrative Features
- Documentary Features
- Narrative Shorts (up to 20 minutes)
- Documentary Shorts (up to 20 minutes)
- Narrative Long Short (20-50 minutes)
- Documentary Long Short (20-50 minutes)
- TV and Web Series Pilots (up to 45 minutes)
- Darkhouse Genre Films (Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy Features & Shorts)
- Surf Films (Features and Shorts)
- New Jersey High School Student Short Films
OUR VISION
LIFF, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to showcasing diverse, dynamic storytelling with a focus on unique voices. It combines a carefully curated lineup of films, screened at the highest standards (DCP or 422 ProRes), with the intimacy of local screening venues.
Every year, the festival offers jury awards in numerous categories. Jurors for these awards represent some of the most talented leaders in the industry, including the likes of Oscar-winning filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar ("American Factory"), Guy Nattiv ("Skin"), Kim Magnusson ("I'm Not a Robot") and Cynthia Wade ("Freeheld"); Oscar nominees Tomer Shushan, Jean de Meuron, Joan Stein Schimke, Kahane Cooperman and Raphaela Neihausen; critically acclaimed filmmakers Elegance Bratton, Ondi Timoner, Jack Sholder, Charlotte Regan ("Scrapper"), Kelly O'Sullivan ("Ghostlight"), Keith Maitland ("Tower"), Sonia Kennebeck, and Lynne Sachs; producers Meredith Kaulfers, Dan O'Meara, Chester Algernal Gordon ("The Inspection"), Lee Broda ("Tesla"), and Jonathan Duffy ("Sorry To Bother You"); programmers Thom Powers (TIFF), Meira Blaustein (Woodstock FF), and Dan Sullivan (Lincoln Center); international journalists and critics Nathalie Chifflet, Daniel D'Addario and Abbey White; as well as film scholars and industry executives.
The Jennifer Snyder Bryceland Filmmaker Award
This special prize recognizes documentary filmmakers whose projects embody the generous, thoughtful, and positive energy demonstrated by beloved Long Beach Island resident Jennifer Snyder Bryceland in all aspects of her life. The $2,000 award is given to a filmmaker whose feature-length documentary displays artistic excellence, incorporates environmental and social themes (local, regional, or global), and inspires optimism in audiences. The award is sponsored by Peppur Chambers & Matthew Soraci, and The Lagralane Group (Jason Delane Lee & Yvonne Huff Lee).
The Honey Levine and Ed Sinatra Audience Choice Award
LIFF offers an award for narrative and documentary features on the festival's program that are eligible for audience voting. The festival wishes to commemorate the legacy of Honey Levine and Ed Sinatra, cinephiles and local patrons of the arts. The winning film will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
The Florence Tone and & Randall Vanderveen Filmmaker Award
This special prize recognizes excellent, unique storytelling in short form. LIFF long-time supporters Florence Tone and & Randall "Pete" Vanderveen offer an award for best narrative short film. The winner will be selected from the LIFF narrative shorts lineup and will receive a $1,500 cash prize (this award is disconnected from the shorts jury awards).
