Lighthouse International Film Festival in Long Beach Island, NJ, is much more than just a film festival. It's a vibrant cultural event that combines it all: seeing quality films in dark screening rooms, enjoying sunny beaches outside, as well as panels, networking events, food, drinks, and parties. All of it throughout one long fun weekend between June 6-9.
After being somewhat of a hidden gem for a decade, Lighthouse International Film Festival was chosen as one of "The 25 Coolest Film Festival in The World" by MovieMaker Magazine. We invite you to join us in the 11th edition of LIFF and submit your narrative features, docs, shorts and TV/web episodic. The selected films will participate in the festival's competition. The winners will be decided by the festival jury.
Lighthouse International Film Festival accepts submissions in the following categories:
- US narrative features
- International narrative features
- US documentaries
- International documentaries
- US shorts - narrative and docs (up to 40 mintes)
- International shorts - narrative and docs
- TV and Web series (between 3-20 minutes an episode)
- High School shorts
- Surf films
* LIFF also accepts VR submission to be displayed out of competition.
Write By The Beach Program
Lighthouse International Film Festival is also open for 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, the selected female screenwriters and filmmakers will spend a week in a beach house in the week leading up the 2019 Festival. Submissions are open to any female writer with at least one credit as a 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.
The Lighthouse International Film Festival is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to showcasing diverse, dynamic storytelling, with a focus on unique voices and it 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 encourage networking and relationships-building. 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.
Every year, the festival offers jury awards to films in 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 acclaimed director Guy Nattiv ("Skin") and industry executives Adley Gartenstein, Andrew Mer, Liselle Feingold and Steve Scibelli. All official selections of LIFF, excluding Headlining Films, are eligible for Audience Awards.
The Jennifer Snyder Bryceland Filmmaker Award
This year, LIFF and Chicago Media Project will join together in offering The Jennifer Snyder Bryceland Filmmaker Award. A special prize that 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 $2,500 award is given to a filmmaker whose feature-length documentary displays artistic excellence, incorporates environmental themes (local, regional or global) and inspires optimism in audiences.
