The Long Island Cinema Festival is a curated, personal event dedicated to showcasing films of all lengths and genres while fostering meaningful connections between filmmakers, audiences, and creatives. Taking place across multiple venues throughout Long Island, the Festival welcomes both local and international voices — this is Long Island coming together to celebrate film, from stories made right here to work from across the globe.

We built LICF around a simple idea: festivals should be as much about experience and connection as exhibition. Rather than programming for volume, we curate with intention — giving films real attention, real audiences, and real conversation. Screenings are complemented by filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, networking events, and social gatherings designed to encourage conversation and collaboration.

The Long Island Cinema Festival is helping to foster a community built one filmmaker, one audience member, one conversation at a time. That's what makes LICF a boutique festival: not exclusivity, but intention. A place where every voice gets real room to be heard.

After a successful inaugural season across multiple venues, the Long Island Cinema Festival returns for Season 2 in Spring 2027, and we're only growing. Season 1 selections included Whale 52 — the animated short produced by two-time Academy Award nominee Bill Plympton, honored with the Crystal Bear at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival — and Raging Midlife, the indie comedy featuring Paula Abdul and Eddie Griffin.

The Festival accepts films of all lengths and genres, including narrative features, documentaries, short films, microshorts, music videos, student films, international films, and episodic or serialized content such as pilots or standalone episodes. There are no budget limits and no premiere requirements.

The Long Island Cinema Festival is a curated event with a limited number of public screenings. While not all selected works may be publicly screened, all official selections receive full recognition as part of the Festival.

LICF isn't trying to be the biggest festival — we're trying to be the one filmmakers remember. That means a program where every selection, every screening matters, and a schedule built around actual time with the people who made these films, not just a screening slot.

In addition to film submissions, the Festival features a Breakthrough Screenwriting Competition dedicated to unproduced written works. This competition recognizes originality, voice, and craft in screenwriting and is evaluated separately from produced films.

The Long Island Cinema Festival also features a Legacy category, created to honor exceptional films completed outside the Festival's standard eligibility window. Legacy selections celebrate outstanding storytelling and craftsmanship from past years and are evaluated separately from current-year submissions. Legacy selections may be included in curated screenings at the Festival's discretion.

Programming decisions, venue assignments, and final screening schedules are curated at the Festival's discretion.

Awards & Prizes

The Long Island Cinema Festival recognizes excellence in storytelling, performance, creative vision, and craftsmanship across film and screenwriting.

All awards are determined through a fair and transparent evaluation process conducted by the Festival's programming team and jury members.

Each year, award categories are shaped by the films selected and the strength of the submissions received.

Recognition Areas

The Festival may present awards in categories including, but not limited to:

Feature Film
Short Film
MicroShort
Music Video
Screenwriting (Produced & Unproduced)
Directing
Acting
Cinematography
Documentary
Genre Recognition
Legacy Recognition

The Marquee is awarded annually to one outstanding selection determined by a combination of audience and jury feedback.

Additional awards or distinctions may be introduced based on the strength and diversity of the films selected each year.

All award decisions are final.

Important Notices

Awards are recognition-based. No cash prizes are offered.

The Festival does not pay screening fees, and does not cover travel, accommodations, or any expenses incurred by filmmakers or their representatives.

Festival dates, venue locations, screening schedules, and award categories are subject to change at the sole discretion of the Festival based on submissions received and programming needs.

Rules & Terms

● The Long Island Cinema Festival accepts submissions via FilmFreeway only.
● There are no budget limits and no premiere requirements.
● Films of all lengths and genres are eligible for submission.
● Submission categories are intended to organize entries for review and programming purposes. Award categories and recognitions are determined separately and may be presented at the Festival's discretion based on the number and quality of submissions received.
● Specific genre breakdowns and award categories may be adjusted, combined, or withheld at the Festival's discretion based on the number and quality of submissions received.
● The Festival is a curated event with a limited number of public screenings. Not all selected works are guaranteed a public screening. Selection as an official selection constitutes full recognition by the Festival regardless of screening status.
● Episodic and serialized submissions, including pilots or standalone episodes, are evaluated based on the submitted episode only and may be programmed within short film blocks or curated screenings at the Festival's discretion.
● Music video submissions must be original works with a runtime of 10 minutes or under. Animated music videos are eligible. The submitter confirms they hold rights to all music used in the submission.
● For produced films, screenplay awards are evaluated based on the storytelling as presented in the finished film. Scripts are not reviewed as part of produced film submissions.
● The Breakthrough Screenwriting Competition is dedicated to unproduced work and is evaluated separately from produced films. Submissions are evaluated based on the written screenplay itself.
● The Legacy category is open to films completed prior to the Festival's standard eligibility window and is intended to recognize exceptional work from past years. Legacy selections are evaluated separately from current-year submissions and may be programmed at the Festival's discretion.
● Standard festival submissions must have been completed within the two years preceding the Festival year. Films completed outside this window should be submitted to the Legacy category.
● Final screening schedules, programming decisions, venue assignments, and award determinations are made at the sole discretion of the Festival.
● By submitting, filmmakers grant the Festival permission to use submitted materials, including stills, clips, titles, and descriptions, for promotional and marketing purposes related to the Festival.
● By submitting a film, the submitter confirms they have the legal authority to submit the work and authorize its exhibition at the Festival if selected for screening.
● The Festival does not claim ownership of submitted works.
● Submission fees are non-refundable.
● The Festival reserves the right to make changes to the schedule, venues, and programming as necessary.

FAQ

Why is LICF a curated festival instead of screening everything submitted?
We believe in intention. Well-placed films create a better experience for everyone — filmmakers get real audience attention and real conversation, not just a slot in a crowded lineup. Curation isn't a limitation, it's the point: intentional restraint that elevates experience, connection, and value.

Will my film screen if selected?
The Festival is curated, and while not all selected works are guaranteed a public screening, all official selections receive full recognition.

How are screenplay awards judged for produced films?
Produced screenplay awards are evaluated based on storytelling as presented in the finished film; scripts are not reviewed.

How is the Breakthrough Screenwriting Competition judged?
Breakthrough Screenwriting submissions are unproduced works and are read and evaluated on the screenplay itself.

Can genre categories be combined or adjusted?
Yes. Genre breakdowns and awards may be adjusted based on the number and quality of submissions.

What is the Legacy category?
Legacy recognizes exceptional films completed prior to the Festival's standard eligibility window and is evaluated separately from current-year submissions.

What are the requirements for music video submissions?
Music video submissions must be original works with a runtime of 10 minutes or under. All music rights must be held by the submitter. Animated music videos are eligible.
9 Reviews
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Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Andy Pratt

    I was so happy to have "Too Perfect," my debut short film, accepted into the inaugural Long Island Cinema Festival! It hurt that I was unable to attend due to a conflict, because all of the pictures and reaction to the event look fabulous. The festival was in frequent communication and had a great social media presence. Many have commented that this didn't seem like a first annual event, since everything was set up so well. I agree with that sentiment. I hope to visit in upcoming years!

    April 2026
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  • Ryan Famulari

    As local Long Island filmmakers we found that the Long Island Cinema Festival was everything we had hoped it would be! A filmmaker-first festival that leaned into networking and community building. A great festival full of even greater people.

    April 2026
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  • Dawn Natalia

    TJ, George and Keith put on a wonderful festival with a lovely mix of venues and events, which encouraged filmmaker networking. I share the sentiment that it is hard to believe that this was their inaugural year. The festival culminated in an award ceremony at The Stone Goat with hors d’oeuvres that were next level. I was honored that LICF hosted the world premiere of our film “Night Chillers” and awarded us with the “Best Short Horror/Thriller” award even though I was the absolute worst horror trivia player in the room! I’m tempted to shoot another film just in the hopes of being invited back next year.

    April 2026
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  • Scott Glazer

    I was shocked to find out this was their inaugural year, with all of the makings of a festival that has been going for many years. Incredible fest, incredible people, I can't wait for next year!

    April 2026
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  • Edward Jordon

    A truly lovely inaugural year; a fest which deserves to run for years to come.

    April 2026
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