Long Island Youth Film Festival heads to the Cinema Arts Centre
Inaugural Festival to Showcase Talented Young Filmmakers
The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington has announced that it will host the inaugural Long Island Youth Film Festival (LIYFF) from Sept. 20 to 22. This weekend-long event will celebrate the creativity and vision of Long Island’s most promising young filmmakers, with screenings of outstanding documentaries and narrative films, as well as exclusive receptions and educational panels.
Friday, September 20 – The festival kicks off with an inspiring lineup of documentary shorts, highlighting powerful stories crafted by young filmmakers from across the island. Following the screenings, attendees are invited to a Festival Opening Night Reception, offering an opportunity to meet the filmmakers and mingle with other cinema enthusiasts.
Saturday, September 21 – The narrative shorts take center stage, showcasing a diverse collection of stories brought to life by the talented youth of Long Island. The day will culminate in an Awards Ceremony, where the best films will be recognized, followed by a celebratory reception.
Sunday, September 22 – The festival concludes with a day dedicated to feature films outside of competition. In addition to these captivating screenings, attendees can participate in educational panels led by industry professionals and community leaders, designed to provide insights into the filmmaking process and inspire the next generation of filmmakers.
Organized by the Cinema Arts Centre’s Youth Advisory Board, the LIYFF aims to foster a community of young creatives by providing a platform for filmmakers aged 25 and under to showcase their work and connect with peers and industry professionals.
“After the overwhelming feedback the Youth Advisory Board has received in response to smaller film competitions we’ve hosted, it became clear that young filmmakers in our community are in desperate need of a program like the Long Island Youth Film Festival,” said Charlotte Brennan, Festival Coordinator. “The success we’ve found through these events is a testament to the drive, passion, and creativity of LI’s filmmakers. We’re so proud and excited to provide them with a larger platform to showcase their talent and connect with each other.”
The festival received an impressive number of submissions from young filmmakers all across Long Island, ensuring that this event will be a captivating showcase of local talent and a major highlight in the island’s cultural calendar.
“We were blown away by the submissions we received. The amount of talent in our Long Island community of young filmmakers is incredible,” said Ted Cavooris, the Festival Director. “We’re so excited to have the opportunity to screen the wonderful films that are being made by a new generation of creators.”
The Cinema Arts Centre is committed to supporting young filmmakers and film lovers by hosting a variety of youth-oriented programming. Thanks to the efforts of the Youth Advisory Board, initiatives like the LIYFF provide valuable opportunities for young creatives to share their work and connect with the broader film community.
CAC Co-Director Dylan Skolnick said, “The Cinema Arts Centre is so excited to present original films by young, local filmmakers. We’re thrilled to host the Long Island Youth Film Festival, not only to serve up-and-coming artists on Long Island, but also to make these films a part of the continuing conversation with our whole community.”
Festival Day Passes are $60, $50 members and students.
Individual Day Tickets are $25, $20 members and students.
You can purchase tickets or find more information about this and other events on the Cinema Arts Centre website: www.cinemaartscentre.org
The Long Island Youth Film Festival (LIYFF) provides an opportunity for young filmmakers from Long Island, NY to share their work through public screenings and promotion through a weekend-long film festival! Submit your films to have a chance to be featured at Long Island’s premier arthouse cinema and be awarded a variety of prizes for your filmmaking achievements! An initiative of the Cinema Arts Centre’s Youth Advisory Board, the LIYFF aims to showcase local filmmakers ages 25 and under from the greater Long Island area and foster a community of young creatives. LIYFF is currently seeking film submissions from youth (ages 25 and under) residing in or creating films on Long Island, New York (Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings Counties) in the following categories: Documentary Short, Documentary Feature, Narrative Short, and Narrative Feature. For more information, please visit filmfreeway.com/liyouthfilmfestival
About Cinema Arts Centre:
The Cinema Arts Centre (CAC) is Long Island’s premiere, year-round, independent and international film showcase and its leading 501(c)3 not-for-profit community cinema. Located on Long Island’s North Shore, just an hour from Manhattan, the CAC is unique in scope and programming, with three state-of-the-art theaters, including a main theater holding nearly 300 seats. Founded by Vic Skolnick, Charlotte Sky and Dylan Skolnick in 1973, the CAC has over 10,000 members and serves approximately 150,000 individuals each year. For more information, please visit https://cinemaartscentre.org
