The Lighthouse International Film Festival celebrates its 10th year in 2018 and is proud to champion cinema in its own unique style, blending the best in modern storytelling with the laid-back beach culture of Long Beach Island, NJ. Internationally recognized, the festival has cultivated a devoted following of filmmakers, industry professionals and local cinephiles and brings them together in a singular setting designed to squarely put the emphasis on the films and filmmakers.

LIFF blends the prestige of a carefully curated lineup of films with the intimacy of local arthouse screenings – screenings feature extended Q&As, while industry breakfasts and filmmaker access to all film screenings and events encourages networking and relationships-building. Purposefully taking a step away from some of the high-intensity, tension-frought aspects of market festivals, LIFF wants filmmakers to meet their audience, engage in dialogue about their film, expand its reach, and most of all, to focus on enjoying their LIFF screening and experience.

LIFF is also proud to announce that for the first time, it will open submissions for its Write By The Beach program, a writers’ retreat for female screenwriters and filmmakers. Taking advantage of the inspiration provided by the scenic backdrop of LBI, nestled in between ocean and bay, Write By The Beach offers selected screenwriters the opportunity to spend a week in a beach house in the week leading up to and encompassing the 2018 Festival, with no obligation except to foster their creativity on whatever project they are currently working. Submissions are open to any female writer with at least one credit as primary screenwriter on a produced short or feature film, with priority in selection given to those writers currently working on feature-length screenplays. LIFF may require additional information in making its selections, such as – but not limited to – writing samples, film or equivalent writing credits and a brief synopsis of the current writing project to be focused on during the residency.

Whether at a screening, a panel discussion, a meeting over ice cream at the beach or just catching some waves at one of LBI’s terrific surfing spots, LIFF wants filmmakers and attendees to celebrate the myriad ways in which storytelling is exploding.

The Lighthouse International Film Festival is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to showcasing diverse, dynamic storytelling, with a focus on unique voices.

Awards & Prizes

Every year, the festival offers jury awards to films in four different categories. Jurors for these awards represent some of the most talented leaders in the industry, recently including the likes of Oscar nominees Jean de Meuron and Raphaela Neihausen, programmers Thom Powers (TIFF), Goran Topalovic (NY Asian FF) and Amir Bogen (Jerusalem FF); industry executives Adley Gartenstein, Andrew Mer, Liselle Feingold and Steve Scibelli and casting directors Allison Twardziak, Kate Geller and Rebecca Yarsin. All official selections of LIFF, excluding Headlining Films, are eligible for Audience Awards.

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES

ENTRY REGULATIONS

Completion Date:
- Entries must have been completed on or after January 1, 2017.

Language:
- Foreign language films must be with English subtitles.

SUBMISSION REGULATIONS

Formats:
- Entries must be submitted via an online platform, with a working screener.

Notification:
- Films selected for screening will be notified on or around April 30, 2018.

REQUIRED SUBMISSION MATERIALS
- Entry Fee paid
- A working screener. (We welcome works in progress, however trailers, reels, or anything other than a screener for the film will not be considered).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

- The filmmaker has read and understood the rules and regulations and to the best of their knowledge, all statements are true. The filmmaker is duly authorized to submit this film to the Lighthouse International Film Festival.

- LIFF reserves the right to disqualify any submission without refund of submission fees.

- Films must not have publicly screened in the greater Central New Jersey area prior to the festival (NYC and Philadelphia are not included in this area.) While world premieres are not requirements for LIFF, this information is taken into consideration when making final programming decisions.

- All accepted films may be screened more than once, and are scheduled at the discretion of the Lighthouse International Film Festival staff.

- Films produced or financed by a major motion picture studio are eligible for festival screenings but are not eligible for competitive awards. Films that have acquired distribution are eligible for festival screenings and awards at the discretion of the LIFF staff.

- Upon submission, the filmmaker consents to allowing their screener material to be shared in its entirety with appropriate LIFF staff, including programming staff, volunteer screeners, and other appropriate members of staff; shared with press outlets in efforts to secure press for the film; with final jury members; and with select individuals representing community partners who may be interested in supporting the film’s screening or taking part in a panel or q&a associated with the film.

-The festival is hereby also granted the right to utilize image(s) and/or biographical information of the filmmakers for promotional purposes. The festival reserves the right to fill in any information not supplied by the filmmaker from whatever source available and will not be responsible if incorrect information is entered.

- It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to secure authorization for any copyrighted material that may be used in the film. The filmmaker shall indemnify and hold harmless Lighthouse International Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

- LIFF does not pay screening fees, guarantee travel or distribution for filmmakers.

- By submitting, the filmmaker expressly acknowledges and agrees to these terms in consideration for LIFF's consideration of their film, and they agree that they shall be bound by the terms of this agreement.
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Michael Faulkner

    With well programmed high quality films, painstaking organization and great hospitality, Lighthouse is a festival that values both film and filmmaker with a professional presentation and personal touch. Highly recommended!

    June 2018
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  • Nora Jaenicke

    Fantastic festiva, high quality films and excellent communication! I highly recommend this...

    June 2018
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  • Stacey Maltin

    This is hands down one of the best festivals I've attended as a filmmaker. The whole team at Lighthouse is so enthusiastic about film and filmmakers and the hospitality and welcome extended to attending filmmakers is really special. The programming itself was also amazing and I felt really honored to screen with the other shorts in my block. Thanks for an awesome time and hope to come back!

    June 2018
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  • Rose Schimm

    I had a wonderful time at LIFF. The organizers and volunteers were so great and treated the filmmakers like part of the family. The festival had an impressive selection of films and events. I would definitely go again!

    June 2018
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  • Natalie Johnson

    From the moment our short film was accepted to LIFF, we felt the organizers' genuine warmth and excitement to have our film there. Communication was clear and timely and came directly from Chip Parham and Eric Johnson, the shorts programmer and Executive Director themselves. Both turned out to be lovely individuals who truly care about the films and filmmakers. The event was like a mini Sundance on the beach with enthusiastic and friendly volunteers and happy local crowds for the screenings. There were parties every night and breakfasts with filmmaker panels every day. It takes place right before the "Jersey Shore" gets packed so the towns are peaceful with easy access to good restaurants and fun activities. Highly recommended!

    June 2018
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