Bellmore Theater Brings the Movies to LIIFE

Now through Sunday, the Long Island International Film Expo has found a gracious host in the Bellmore Movies.

"This is our seventh year in Bellmore and we couldn't be happier," said Debbie Markowitz, director and coordinator of the expo, also referred to as LIIFE.

LIIFE started at the Malverne Cinemas 13 years ago. As it quickly gained notoriety and popularity amongst locals and industry insiders alike, it needed a bigger space.

"We simply outgrew Malverne," continued Markowitz. "The owners of Malverne also owned Bellmore, so they simply moved us. Bellmore has large, auditorium seating and a stage, with enables us to properly host industry panels and question and answer sessions, which really enhance the experience," Markowitz said. "And one of the big factors is the proximity to the Long Island Railroad, which makes it much easier for people to actually attend the festival."

Aside from logistics, the marriage between LIIFE and Bellmore Movies has helped to create opportunities and synergy between the Long Island filmmaking community and the film industry at large.

"Distribution (for independent films) is extremely tough these days," said Markowitz. "It's very hard for independent filmmakers to get their work even seen by industry people unless they've been vetted at a festival. LIIFE gives the Long Island filmmaker both a voice in the national scene and a means to get their work out there."

No one knows this better than John Lazzaro. John is a triple threat on the scene of this year's festival; he works for LIIFE, he works for Bellmore Movies and he also screened a film of his own at this year's festival.

"The turnout has been really great," said Lazzaro. "We're showing over 150 films from all over the world. It's quickly becoming one of the most well-known festivals on the East Coast."

Lazzaro's involvement in every aspect of this year's festival is anything but self-serving. His entry, "Hindsight," tackles one of the most pressing and dangerous issues confronting Long Island today – heroin addiction.

"Everyone was very helpful and cooperative," Lazzaro said about the making of "Hindsight." "At one point we spent time with some retired police detectives who took us around and really gave us an inside look. We also made it a point to spend time and creative energy with the Ciappa family of Massapequa, who lost their daughter to heroin addiction in a highly publicized case earlier this year."

This is perhaps LIIFE's biggest strength; it's ability to both shine a light on local artists and issues as well attracting international works and industry people from all over the world.

"The festival is growing all the time, and Bellmore Movies is a big part of that positive experience," said Markowitz. "We certainly intend to foster and grow the relationship and the festival for as long as possible."

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