Long Island Bold Film Festival: A New Platform for Inclusive Storytelling

The Long Island Bold Film Festival (LIBFF) launches its inaugural year with a mission to amplify underrepresented voices in film and ensure greater inclusivity in storytelling. Founded on the belief that diverse representation—both in front of and behind the camera—is essential to the future of the entertainment industry, LIBFF requires that every project submitted include at least one person of color in a major creative role.

Held in Bellmore, New York, LIBFF will feature film screenings, industry panels, keynote conversations, and networking opportunities designed to connect filmmakers with industry professionals and like-minded creatives.

To mark its debut, LIBFF will welcome A-list keynote speakers, including directors, actors, producers, and executives, who will share their experiences and insights. Filmmakers will have the opportunity to participate in discussions, workshops, and mentorship sessions that provide valuable guidance on navigating the industry. We have NOTEABLE speakers and industry executives that will be part of our program.

Bringing Hollywood and major film business to Long Island like no other festival has, LIBFF is creating an unprecedented space for bold storytelling, industry connections, and career-defining opportunities. As it makes its entrance into the festival landscape, LIBFF aims to establish a lasting platform for diverse voices and new talent to thrive.

The first-ever Long Island Bold Film Festival will take place October 9–12, 2025, in Bellmore, New York. For more information, visit www.LIBFF.com.

Awards & Prizes

JURY AWARDS:
Best Feature Film (45 minutes or longer)
Best Short Film (20 minutes or shorter)
Best Horror Short (>20)
Best Horror Feature (45<)
Best Family Film (Short or Feature)
Bold Local Filmmaker Award
Best Cinematography (Automatically entered with any submission)
Best Director (Automatically entered with any submission)
Best Spec Screenplay

A commemorative trophy accompanied by a cash prize (amount may be adjusted) will be given to each winner of the following categories

Best Feature Film (45 minutes or longer) $1000
Best Short Film (20 minutes or shorter) $TBA
Best Horror Short (>20) $TBA
Best Horror Feature (45<) $TBA
Best Family Film (Short or Feature) $TBA
Best Documentary (Short or Feature) $TBA
Bold Local Filmmaker Award $TBA
Best Spec Screenplay $500

Rules & Terms

LONG ISLAND BOLD FILM FESTIVAL – RULES & TERMS

The Long Island Bold Film Festival (LIBFF) is dedicated to celebrating bold, diverse, and innovative storytelling. Our mission is to amplify underrepresented voices by ensuring inclusivity both in front of and behind the camera. We welcome filmmakers of all backgrounds while prioritizing unity and representation in every project submitted.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To complete your submission, please ensure you provide the following materials:
1. Film synopsis
2. High-resolution photo still from the film
3. Director & Writer bios
4. Any key cast bios (optional)

Payment of the submission fee online is required at the time of submission.

GENERAL RULES

1. Eligibility & Representation
- Each submitted film must feature at least one person of color in a major above-the-line or below-the-line role (Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actor, etc.).
- Our goal is not division, but inclusion—we encourage diverse collaborations that reflect real-world representation.

2. Film Categories & Length Requirement
- Feature Film – 45 minutes or longer
- Short Film – 20 minutes or shorter
- Horror Short – 20 minutes or shorter
- Horror Feature – 45 minutes or longer
- Family Film – Open to both shorts (>20min) and features (
- Documentary Feature - 45 mins or longer
- Documentary short - 20 mins or shorter
- Bold Local Filmmaker Award – Recognizing exceptional work by a filmmaker based in Long Island

3. Submission Guidelines
- Films must be original works owned or fully cleared by the submitting filmmaker.
- Works-in-progress will be accepted and judged as such but must be a completed project to be screened at the festival.
- Films in a language other than English must include English subtitles.

4. Screening & Format
- Official selections will be screened in Bellmore, NY, during the festival dates (October 9th–12th, 2025).
- Selected films must provide a high-quality screening file in the requested format.

5. Rights & Permissions
- By submitting, you confirm that you have full rights to the film, including all music, images, and intellectual property.
- LIBFF reserves the right to use film stills, trailers, and excerpts for promotional purposes.

6. Judging & Awards
- Winners will be determined by an official jury panel comprised of industry professionals.
- All decisions by the jury and festival programmers are final.

7. Festival Attendance
- Attendance is not required but strongly encouraged! We value engagement, networking, and building community among filmmakers.

By submitting to LIBFF, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to these rules. We look forward to bold, powerful, and united storytelling!