New York Long Island Film Festival features local lineup

The New York Long Island Film Festival returns for its fourth edition this year with a lineup of 85 mostly short films from local filmmakers.

The festival runs Oct. 20-22 at locations in Lindenhurst, including the South Shore Theatre Experience and the Moose Lodge.

Launched in 2019 by filmmaker-musician Gerry Ferretti and actor Katie Schrader, both of Lindenhurst, the festival serves as a showcase for lower-budget projects, with an emphasis on creativity over technical polish. It also makes an effort to give cast and crew a full festival experience with red carpets, photographers and interviews. Parties will be held at Lindenhurst's Sand City Brewing Co. and Belfast Gastropub.

Ferretti’s pilot episode of “The Fontanas,” a potential series, will premiere Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge. The locally filmed show follows three generations of Italian Americans living on Long Island.

Festival tickets are $10-$12, or $28.00 per day; an all-access pass is $75. To purchase tickets and for more information, go to filmfreeway.com/nyliff or call 631-974-3908.

By Rafer Guzmán

rafer.guzman@newsday.com@raferguzman