You only need to apply to ONE category per film. If accepted, you will receive a survey to complete that will place your film into additional categories for free. You will also have the option of submitting for technical and acting categories once accepted (there is a small fee for those). Long Island Filmmakers, please submit in one of the Long Island Categories!
Check out our new Horror Category!!
For the film festival competition of the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE)!:
Expect a blast for this 23rd installment of the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE)!!!!!
Quality independent films of any genre will be considered.
We also have a Trailer, Music Video, Script Writing and Webisode/TV/New Media component to the festival.
We will only accept submission as online screeners.
If accepted, you must provide digital submission in:
Format:
We prefer MOV or H.264 format, 16x9 resolution. No slates, bars/tone etc.
The file name should reflect the actual name of the film.
We also ask that you send a DVD or BluRay emergency back-up copy.
The Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) is one of the larger regional film festivals in existence.
The festival includes panels, parties, and networking opportunities. One festival pass given per film entitles you and a guest to all other film blocks (providing the screening is not sold out). Many extras.
LIIFE does not return back-up DVDs/BluRays (if your film is accepted)
If your film wins on closing night, but you are not there to accept your trophy, you can pay for shipping or you will be sent an electronic certificate instead. If your film is eligible for a cash prize, you need to be there on closing night to accept it, or you will forfeit it.
LIIFE Alumni (Directors/Producers/Writers) please email LongIslandFilmExpo@gmail.com for a discount code. Proof of past film acceptance will be needed to receive the discount code, so please let us know the name of your previous film and when it was screened.
Students, there is no code needed: prices reflect the student discount. If accepted you will need to provide Student ID to compete in the Student Categories!
The Long Island International Film Expo will not be issuing any Fee Waivers!
Film categories (categories may change from year to year without notice):
Best Foreign Film
Best Director
Best Story
Best First Film
Best Animation
Best Long Island Film
Best Horror Film
Audience Choice Award
Jury Award
Best Documentary
Best Student Film
Best Short
Best Feature
Best Webisode/TV/New Media project
Other categories can be added or deleted.
Though our pricing is reflected by the length of your project (in most cases), we reserve the right to only have one winner per category depending on scores of the submissions (ex. we may have a Feature foreign film AND a Short foreign film, or might just have a Best Foreign Film regardless of length etc)
Once accepted to LIIFE, the filmmaker may apply for technical category competitions, but that is not a requirement, merely an option. Those technical and special categories will be an extra fee - again, there are MANY awards to win that are included in your entry with NO extra charge.
Script/Screenwriting competition portion of the Long Island International Film Expo:
Long Island International Film Expo 2021
Scriptwriting Contest
The Long Island International Film Expo offers a scriptwriting contest to go along with their short and feature-length independent film competitions.
LIIFE is looking for great storytelling. As a result, the contest will be structured in two parts: Writers are asked to submit a short treatment of a feature-length screenplay they have already written. A group of finalists will be selected, and those writers will be invited to submit their whole screenplays.
For the first round, writers should submit a treatment that is in 12-point type, does not exceed 650 words, and does not exceed one page. Please do not submit a treatment unless you have already written the screenplay.
To be eligible, the script cannot have been optioned, nor can the writer and/or the screenplay be represented by a manager or agent. Final scripts must also be between 90 - 120 pages.
The treatments will be read by a team of industry professionals (screenwriters, directors, producers, etc). The top ten (or less, depending on scores) treatments will make it to the final round and will be invited to submit their complete screenplays. Those finalist screenplays will then be read by production company Snapper Films, who will then choose the winning submission and (depending on scores) two runner-ups.
There will be other prizes tbd.
If a filmmaker/scriptwriter wins and is not available to accept their award, an electronic award certificate will be sent.
Cash prizes (if available) will only be awarded to those in attendance during the closing night ceremony.
Once a film or script is submitted and accepted to the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE), the LIIFE reserves the right to present the film in any format it deems necessary during the 2021 Festival. Back-up DVDs and BluRays will not be returned. While all entries are treated with care, the Long Island International Film Expo/Long Island Film/TV Foundation/authorized venues/The Nassau County Film Commission, The Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks, the County of Nassau, and the Nassau County Planning Commission and their agents and volunteers are not responsible for loss or damage to prints or tapes. Films are scheduled at the discretion of the Long Island International Film Expo. All fees are nonrefundable. The filmmaker and/or the writer has obtained all necessary rights clearances for the above-mentioned film and/or script, and for any and all elements of the film/script submitted and releases the County of Nassau, Nassau County Film Commission, The Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks, The Nassau County Planning Commission, the County of Nassau, The Long Island Film/TV Foundation and any participating venues and agents and volunteers from any responsibility in conjunction therewith. The Long Island International Film Expo is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.
A film may not be withdrawn by the filmmaker once it is formally accepted and scheduled.
If a film is not sent in the proper format, LIIFE and its agents reserve the right to download the film from FilmFreeway or another source and use that version for screening.
If films and/or surveys are not received by the date required, and in the format specified, LIIFE has the right to remove your film from the festival line-up.
Your film must not be distributed, streaming or otherwise, or available (other than festival screenings) to the public prior to screening at LIIFE or it may be removed from the festival line-up. It does not have to be a festival premier.
The Long Island Film/TV Foundation has the right to reject any films or withdraw any acceptance letter issued to any film, at any time prior to the commencement of that year’s festival, in the foundation's absolute discretion.