The 2024 Lighthouse International Film Festival (LIFF) takes place June 5-9, on beautiful Long Beach Island. In addition to watching films, festival goers can rub shoulders with producers and directors, attend filmmaker panels, master classes, and party into the night at special events. The festival will screen more than 110 documentary, narrative, short, horror, thriller, and surf films.
Choose from an All Access Pass for entry to any film or party, a Films Only Pass for all film screenings, or individual tickets for less commitment.
Screenings take place at the LBI Foundation of the Arts & Sciences (120 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach Township); LBI Historical Museum (129 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven); Regal Manahawkin (733 New Jersey 72, Stafford Township); and Surf City Firehouse (713 N. Long Beach Blvd., Surf City).
Wednesday, June 5
6:00pm – Once Again (for the very first time) (LBI Historical Museum). Poetry, hip hop and dance blend in this energetic film by Boaz Yakin (Fresh, Remember The Titans), A surreal exploration of the need to reinvent oneself, creatively and romantically, over and over again throughout our lives. The story is told through the lens of a legendary street dancer and a young spoken word poet trying to decide if they are going to give their relationship one last chance. East Coast Premiere; Attending: director Boaz Yakin
8:30pm – Surf Shorts Block #1 (LBI Historical Museum). Screenings of Dust; The Search; IPAR; Chasing the Unicorn. Click here for more info.
Thursday, June 6
2:00pm – Episodics Block #1 (LBI Historical Museum). Screenings of Barney & Herb; Chanshi. Click here for more info.
2:30pm – Doubles (LBI Foundation). Trinidadian-Canadian filmmaker Ian Harnarine tells a story of a dissatisfied young man from a small town in Trinidad & Tobago who runs a street food stand with his mother selling Doubles. A series of disappointments urge him to leave and visit his estranged father, a successful chef in Toronto. Upon arrival, things look pretty dire for all, but at least they smell and taste good. Talent Attending: Director Ian Harnarine
2:45pm – Shorts Block #1 (Documentaries) (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of Caballo de Espuma / Foam Horse; Dictionary of Emotions in a Time of War; More Than Brothers; Sangre Violenta / Sangre Violeta; The Invisible Monster. Click here for more info.
3:30pm – Episodics Block #2 (LBI Historical Museum). Screenings of Hot Angry Mom; Bloopers; Vibrations: Dharma Punks. Click here for more info.
4:45pm – The Faraway Nearby (LBI Foundation). The dramatic retelling of the tragic life of pioneer physicist Joseph Weber, whose pursuit of gravitational waves takes him on a dizzying journey, from the height of acclaim to the depths of despair as he breaks the cardinal rule of science and clings to his ideas, even though his results can’t be duplicated. Physicists, artists, and other creatives explore the emotional side of discovery and question whether the risk is worth the journey. Talent Attending: Director Paula Froehle
5:15pm – Shorts Block #2 (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of Bad Asian; Flush; Gary Jr.; Mermaid, Bitch; Nocturne; The Key. Click here for more info.
6:00pm – Things Will Be Different (LBI Historical Museum). In order to escape the police after a robbery, two estranged siblings lay low in a mysterious farmhouse that transports them through time, hiding them from consequences and punishment. There they reckon with a cryptic force that pushes their familial bonds to unnatural breaking points. East Coast Premiere
7:00pm – OPENING NIGHT FILM: Los Frikis (LBI Foundation). The latest film by Lighthouse alumni Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson (The Peanut Butter Falcon, LIFF 2019) is a coming-of-age story set in early 90’s Cuba where a group of punk rockers in search of freedom, move to a rural sanatarium to escape the oppression of the Special Period. During their time in this isolated government-run treatment home for people with AIDS, they play music together, create new friendships and even fall in love and have sex for the first time. With the support of Academy Award winning producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), directors Schwartz and Nilson created a bittersweet fairytale, which is fun, energetic and exotic, yet down to earth and grim, featuring an original score from Academy Award winner Steven Price (Gravity) and impressive performances of a cast of newcomers, led by actress Adria Arjona (Endor, Hit Man). Talent Attending: Directors Michael Schwartz & Tyler Nilson
7:45pm – The Strangers’ Case (Surf City Firehouse). When tragedy strikes a Syrian family fleeing from ravaged Aleppo as refugees, it starts a chain reaction of events changing the lives of others in four different countries. With an impressive international cast that includes French star Omar Sy, Yasmin Al Masri from Lebanon, Yahya Mahayni from Syria and Constantine Markoulakis from Greece, and Palestinian brothers Saleh Bakri and Ziad Bakri, American filmmaker and activist Brandt Andersen crafted a powerful political thriller about displacement, crime, death and survival at all cost. US Premiere. Attending talent: Director Brandt Andersen
8:15pm – DID I? (LBI Historical Museum). Genevieve attempts to navigate her life with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), but begins to see flashbacks of memories she had no part in creating. Nervous of how dangerous she may be, she descends into psychological hallucinations as she approaches the origin of her trauma. Northeast Premiere. Talent Attending, Director: Sarah Tice, Producer: Zachary Beckler
Friday, June 7
11:00am – Mediha (LBI Foundation). This is a story of courage and survival from the Yazidi genocide and its aftermath, as shown through the personal lens of one of its survivors, Mediha, a teenage Yazidi girl. Her story begins to unfold in a refugee camp, where she is reunited with two of her younger brothers, Ghazwan and Adnan, after kidnapping and enslavement by ISIS. Mediha and her brothers must now attempt to rebuild their lives, but with the whereabouts of their father, mother, and baby brother unknown. Faced with local and international complexities, which still continue to affect rescue and accountability efforts eight years after the genocide, the siblings turn to a network of Yazidi rescuers in the search of their missing family members. The story highlights the ongoing and enduring impact of ISIS atrocities on the Yazidi community, but also sheds an important light on the many universal challenges faced by all refugees, worldwide. From LIFF alumni, director Hasan Oswald (Higher Love) and producer Jason Loftus (Eternal Spring), and executive producer, Emma Thompson. Mediha herself will be attending the screening. Attending Talent: Director Hasan Oswald and subject Mediha.
11:00am – Electric Fields (LBI Historical Museum). A poetic science fiction fantasy in black and white that highlights a cosmic, energetic, and electric bond between human beings, physics, and science. As people go through life with forgotten dreams, lightbulbs suddenly and unexpectedly turn on and logic turns upside down, making them realize that the rules of the world are inexplicably shifting, opening up new paths. US Premiere
11:00am – Dreams Have No Scent (Surf City Firehouse). Iranian journalist, scholar, and filmmaker Solmaz Gholami presents a five-episode mosaic portraying the beloved homeland she escaped in 2016. Through unique bits and pieces, archival footage, social media videos, and her own materials, the unrelenting dissident takes on the theocratic Iranian regime and its oppressive paramilitary force, the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), while hailing the courageous masses who push back against social oppression in the spirit of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. Through a deep, emotionally-charged narrative and vivid imagery of fearless efforts to instigate positive change, this film underscores how a pervasive voice can catalyze hope for transformation. World Premiere. Attending Talent: Solmaz Gholami
12:45pm – PANEL DISCUSSION: IS LBI READY FOR PRIME TIME? (LBI Historical Museum). Join NJ Motion Picture & TV Commissioner Elizabeth Parchment, Director of Marketing/Chief Diversity Officer, to discover how you and your business, and community can become Film Ready! New Jersey’s motion picture and television industry has been exploding. This masterclass will detail the many advantages to hosting film production, and the preparations needed to effectively deal with filmmakers and film crews. We’ll also discuss how recent incentives, and the Film Ready Program are making it possible for Hollywood as well as New Jersey film productions to thrive in New Jersey and the tremendous economic vitality these film productions can bring to your town and residents. Open to the Public, Free Admission
1:15pm – Searching For Satoshi: The Mysterious Disappearance of The Bitcoin Creator (Regal Manahawkin). 26 months after creating Bitcoin, mysterious billionaire Satoshi Nakamoto vanished. His worth has reached as high as $70 Billion, yet none of his coins have ever traded hands. Why did Satoshi disappear? Was he killed? Did he commit suicide? Or, did he just walk away on principle? This investigative documentary goes on a worldwide journey to piece together the most compelling case yet for who Satoshi was, and why he disappeared. US Premiere. Attending Talent: Director Paul Kemp
1:15pm – Shorts Block #3 (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of Decision; Distancias/Distances; Eldorado; I’m Not a Robot; Razze Pure/Pure Breeds. Click here for more info.
1:30pm – Undivide Us (LBI Foundation). America is at a crossroads where politicians, traditional media, and social media fan the flames of toxic partisanship that have led many Americans to question whether they can trust their fellow citizens. Undivide Us stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action. Through the intimate lens of six focus groups across three American cities, the film explores the twisted landscape of toxic polarization, revealing how it drives us to places fundamentally un-American places. Yet, within these divisions, the film uncovers the potential for healing conversation and the rediscovery of the value of local community, mutual respect, and democracy. Aiming to awaken the silenced majority that seeks solutions rather than strife, Undivide US is not just a documentary; it’s a timely and urgent plea to reclaim the nation’s soul through open discourse, civic engagement, and self-governance. Attending Talent: Director Kristi Kendall and Producer Carrie Conko
2:00pm – MASTER CLASS: DISCUSSION WITH FILMMAKER BOAZ YAKIN (LBI Historical Museum). Boaz Yakin is a screenwriter, director, and producer. His directorial debut, Fresh (1994), won the director’s prize at the Sundance Film Festival. He wrote and directed A Price Above Rubies starring Rene Zellweger and after, went on to direct, the major box office success and cultural icon for Disney, Remember the Titans (2000), starring Denzel Washington. He directed studio films such as Uptown Girls (starring Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning), Safe (starring Jason Statham), and Max (starring Belgian Malinois), while also continuing to work in the independent film space on several other projects. During this time he wrote and directed both dramas Death in Love (2009) and the critically acclaimed Aviva (2020) and produced Alma Har’el’s critically acclaimed documentary Bombay Beach (2011). On the studio feature side, Boaz has co-written and created the Now You See Me franchise, as well as executive-produced Hostel (2006) and Hostel: Part II (2007). Yakin also co-wrote the Netflix feature, The Harder They Fall (directed by Jeymes Samuel, starring Idris Elba, Regina King, and Lakeith Stanfield), and more recently, he co-wrote and executive produced Alma Har’el’s Lady in the Lake for Apple TV+. His latest independent feature Once Again (For the Very First Time) won the Audience Award at the 2024 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia and it will have its East Coast Premiere at the Lighthouse International Film Festival this June.
3:15pm – Shorts Block #4 (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of Agiter; Betty Bites Back; Hi! You Are Being Recorded; In Waves; Not Us; Runner; The Heart of Texas. Click here for more info.
3:30pm – Gap Father (LBI Foundation). In this complex, but very gratifying, original work by first-time director Ryousuke Honaka, Rika is a young, lonely Japanese teenager, without a father figure in his life. Nakamura is a kind man who works for a company that offers a unique service – – dads-for-rent. What starts as an awkward client-provider professional interaction on the verge of the surreal, slowly develops into a delicate connection between two lonely strangers struggling to come to terms with loss and trying to fill huge holes in their respective lives. As they get closer and more co-dependent, the surrogate becomes the real thing, creating a deep human bond, beyond familial lines. International Premiere
3:30pm – Darkhouse Shorts Block #1 (LBI Historical Museum). Screenings of Hans; Hide Your Crazy; Queen of the Night; STAY; Bordovasca/Pool Edge; Love Bites. Click here for more info.
3:30pm – Arriving In Five Minutes Period (Regal Manahawkin). Justice Kibbe is a Door Dash driver with lofty ambitions and a quick wit. He sets out on a road trip from New Jersey to the Cincinnati Zoo, accepting every available DoorDash order along the way, including ones for non-tippers. Beyond the backdrop of the deliveries is a young man struggling to make ends meet in an economy that is sparse with opportunities for his generation. What results is an exploration of his generational “situation,” his loneliness, and also his innate kindness, all overarched by a revealing look at how people treat each other in an increasingly digital world? New Jersey Premiere. Attending Talent: directors Trevor Lyon and Colby Smith, subject: Justice Kibbe
5:30pm – Episodics Block #3 (LBI Historical Museum). Screenings of A Broad Abread; Compound Fractures; Dissocia; Neo-Dome. Click here for more info.
5:45pm – Shorts Block #5 (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of Don’t Bring Empanadas; Introvert Club; Mirage; Never Getting Rid of Me, Bitch; Queen of Magic; The Bend. Click here for more info.
6:00pm – Widowbird (LBI Foundation). This unconventional film noir, which is more delicate than dark, subtly combines a kaleidoscope of styles, genres, and themes. In this artsy thriller, the Benyamini Brothers follow a grieving journalist (played by singer-songwriter Nellie McKay) on her journey from New York to snowy New Hampshire, where she is expected to interview a conservative Senator/presidential hopeful. Alarming information about the mysterious disappearance of a young woman and its possible connection to the Senator complicates her mission, as she aims to shed light on secrets that might destroy the Senator’s career and, quite possibly, rid her of the ghosts of her own past. World Premiere. Attending Talent: directors Yoni Benyamini, Miki Benyamini
6:00pm – Unlikely Allies (Regal Manahawkin). In 2003, a low-level cannabis case would end Weldon Angelos’ promising career in the Hip-Hop industry. But it would also give birth to a national movement to reform our country’s criminal justice system, uniting far-right conservatives like billionaire Charles Koch and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) with liberals such as Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ), Van Jones, and musicians Alicia Keys and Snoop Dogg. This unbelievable story of an aspiring Salt Lake City-based musician who united political rivals from his jail cell to launch a campaign for a rare joint cause is effectively documented on screen in a way that is entertaining, inspiring, and impactful. East Coast Premiere; Talent Attending: Director Anthony Pedone
8:00pm – Listen (LBI Historical Museum). A brilliant officer in the 8200 intelligence elite unit of the IDF, struggles to come to terms with the death of her beloved father in a terrorist attack. When Hamas takes an Israeli soldier hostage in Gaza and demands a prisoner swap that includes her dad’s killer, she is faced with a critical dilemma and comes up with a revenge-driven plot to settle the score. A thought provoking intense espionage thriller, that is as multilayered, morally ambivalent, and highly critical towards the military apparatus, as it is timely during these politically charged days in the wake of the Israel- Hamas war and the hostages crisis in Gaza. Talent Attending, Director: Omni Bezalel
8:15pm – All American (Surf City Firehouse). Energetic and soulful, this sports doc offers us an in-depth look into Women Wrestling through the lens of immigrant teenage girls. In the personal story of brave Arham, the daughter of Muslim Yemeni parents, who leaves behind her family’s conservative traditions to find her own path in America, we are exposed to the high school women’s wrestling league. Fighting on the mat and in real life, these teenage girls are dreaming of being winners and, more than that – of earning a sense of belonging and acceptance in society. Photographer Mark Andrew Altschul brings to the big screen an inspiring film about charming, unrelenting characters on a backdropof physical sports action. World Premiere. Talent Attending, Director: Mark Andrew Altchul
8:20pm – The Last Taxi Driver (Regal Manahawkin). Taxi drivers wander throughout the city at night, pick up passengers from all walks of life, and witness a host of bizarre scenarios, some of which happen only after dark. Martin Scorsese’s classic, “Taxi Driver,” serves as an inspiration for this peculiar tale of existential angst through the eyes of a fifty-year-old driver in Athens who is struggling to come to terms with his mundane repetitive everyday – and night – life. Prompted by the shocking suicide of a client in his cab and fueled by a one-night stand with a mysterious, attractive young woman, he goes on a wild ride that revitalizes him in his midlife crisis. The chain of events drags him down a rabbit hole of obsession, jealousy, and delusion, as he shifts into high gear, without any breaks. Will he crash? US Premiere
8:30pm – Thelma (LBI Foundation). This poignant action-comedy gives veteran actress and Oscar nominee June Squibb (Nebraska) her first leading role and serves as the final performance of trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree (Shaft). Squibb, who does most of her own stunts in the film, plays Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson (played by Fred Hechinger of The White Lotus). Accompanied by an aging friend (Roundtree) and his motorized scooter, Thelma sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles to reclaim what was taken from her. The film includes stars Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, and Malcolm McDowell.
Saturday, June 8
11:00am – Clenched Fist (LBI Foundation). In this unconventional coming-of-age drama, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Vivian Goffette (for his short film Postcard, 1999) tells the story of Lucien, a shy 11-year-old boy living with his mother and older brother in the Belgian countryside. As if growing up isn’t hard enough, a brief encounter with his disgraced father shakes his world. Against the advice of his loved ones, he is lured into reconnecting with his dad in prison and endures deceit and manipulation that threatens to crush his young, fragile soul. Can the naive Lucien (played by the angelic Yanis Frisch) overcome the toxic influence of his father and take his own path on the way to adulthood? His conflicted journey is portrayed in a brutally honest, compassionate way in this beautiful, gentle, and very realistic film. US Premiere. Attending Talent: director Vivian Goffette
11:00am – Shorts Block #6 (LBI Historical Museum). Screenings of Anomaly; Blimp; Framed; Merci, Poppy; Last Summer Day; SilverSizzle. Click here for more info.
11:00am – Via Sedna (Surf City Firehouse). Dreaming of an expedition that would be different from anything they had ever experienced before, an adventurous crew of eight female sailors and climbers plan to sail from France to Greenland to attempt a first ascent of a Big Wall. Under the helm of Captain Marta Guemes and expedition leader, Caro North, and after months of preparation, they finally were able to set sail from La Rochelle. But it soon became clear that Sedna, the Inuit goddess of the seas, would put the team to the test, forcing them to overcome the many obstacles that the rugged Atlantic and Arctic Oceans would throw at them. There is great beauty in the landscape and cinematography here, but the true beauty of this film, comes from the camaraderie and teamwork of the women, their perseverance, and their commitment to protecting their environment. US Premiere. Attending Talent: Directors Ramona Waldner and Alexander Brugger
11:15am – Yellow Bus (Regal Manahawkin). Set in Abu Dhabi, this hard-hitting drama tells the story of an Indian mother fighting for justice in the wake of a tragic event involving her daughter that took place on a school bus. As a migrant worker, she finds it incredibly difficult to accept the local bureaucracy and institutional culture that stands between her and the truth of what happened. She refuses to accept any monetary compensation or made-up explanations and insists on conducting her own investigation into this case of harrowing negligence and coverup. In this United Arab Emirates-produced project, American director Wendy Bednarz creates a film that is unexpectedly critical of Gulf society, as it touches deeply on a personal level.
1:30pm – A Buffalo Story (LBI Foundation). A Buffalo Story tells of the return of bison to the North American landscapes they once defined and outlines some of the important ecological and cultural impacts of that restoration. The mighty buffalo once roamed the Great Plains, but after many decades, due to deterioration of natural habitats and human impact, they have all but disappeared. Through the work of Jason Baldes, a Shoshone Tribal Member, we follow the efforts to restore the buffalo to the Wind River Reservation, home of the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribes. With stunning imagery, this film explores the restoration of the buffalo, not only as a natural and ancient inhabitant of this ecosystem but also as a traditional connection to the historical and spiritual life of the Native American tribes in the area. In this film, we see the possibility for redemption, not only for our spirit but also for our feeling of connection to wildlife and the natural world. East Coast Premiere
1:30pm – PANEL DISCUSSION: NAVIGATING CO-DIRECTING – THE ART OF COLLABORATION ON FILM SETS (LBI Historical Museum). Film sets are often seen as kingdoms with the director as the reigning monarch, leading the charge and shaping the cinematic vision. But what happens when two directors share the throne? Co-directing can offer unique opportunities for creative synergy, but it also brings its own set of challenges, from clashing visions to balancing personal dynamics with professional demands. How do co-directors navigate these complexities while maintaining a harmonious and productive set? Join us for a compelling discussion exploring the dynamics of co-directing, featuring Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson—the acclaimed duo behind The Peanut Butter Falcon (LIFF 2019) and the highly anticipated Los Frikis, which opens this year’s festival. Also, joining the panel are LIFF alumni Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, the team behind Saint Frances (LIFF 2019). Their latest, much anticipated feature Ghostlight is this year’s centerpiece film. The panelists will share insights into how they manage shared responsibilities, resolve conflicts, and keep the creative energy flowing, all while maintaining a strong partnership. This event promises to be an enlightening experience for filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts alike. Discover the secrets to successful collaboration, and gain valuable insights into the art of co-directing. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from two experienced co-directors who have navigated the highs and lows of filmmaking together.
1:30pm – Plan B (Surf City Firehouse). When a one-night stand with her awkward neighbor leaves her pregnant, a young woman decides to quickly sleep with a successful businessman and tell him he’s the father of her unborn baby. Starring: Jamie Lee (Ted Lasso), Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) and Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie). Talent Attending: director Brandon Tamburri
1:40pm – Cast & Crew (Regal Manahawkin). A very realistic, smart indie comedy about how to, or maybe how not to, make a low-budget independent film. It is an optimistic, maybe naive, account of a scruffy film produced by a motley crew of true cinema lovers who come together to fulfill their biggest dream: make a feature film. They are amateurs but ambitious, have no budget but are resourceful, lack industry connections but have passion in their hearts. What happens behind the scenes takes center stage in hilarious ways. While team members scramble to achieve their common goal on screen, the real action is between takes. The film crew’s theoretical preparations and practical improvisations, their hopes and doubts, their deep friendships, and a serious case of filmmaker wannabe syndrome all come together on a wild film set without the benefit of professional direction, only to end up provoking the essential question: Why are we doing this? East Cost Premiere. Attending Talent: Director Jason Taylor
3:15pm – Darkhouse Shorts Block #2 (LBI Historical Museum). Screenings of Conversion of the Atheist; The Worm; Double Nickel; The Clogging; Screams of Lavender; Scame. Click here for more info.
3:45pm – Shorts Block #7 (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of Amarradas/Roped; Couple a Cards; Do Sheep Dream of Electric Androids; Every Other Kid; Six Miles at Sea; The Self-Described Narrative of the Marvelous Travels and Campaigns of Great, Great, Great Uncle Lt. Col. Barry V. Manchester. Click here for more info.
4:00pm – Do I Shock U Like Lightning (LBI Foundation). New Jersey’s own Kahlil Maskati’s directorial debut is a bittersweet, musically-infused dramedy that plays all the right tunes. It explores the connection between creation and romance, hope and despair, melody and lyrics, all through the intimate, unlikely love story of Wardy and Allie in LA. He plays the guitar in the park, and she joins in with her ukulele. Their collaboration brings them close together as friends, maybe lovers. The mutual search for personal and artistic harmony is short-lived, however, as Wardy prepares to move back to his hometown on the East Coast. Will the tunes and the memories they carry live on? World Premiere. Attending Talent: director Kahlil Maskati, actors: Omar Maskati, Malia Aiello, Malcolm Nicholas
4:15pm – Waterpark in the Winter (Regal Manahawkin). Presented in silent, black-and-white format, this bitter-sweet romantic drama follows an apathetic young man who has just about mentally checked out of his relationship with his girlfriend, who is handicapped by a foot injury. In an attempt to reignite the relationship, they go on vacation to a waterpark where the couple argues incessantly about even the most menial things. When a joyful young woman appears in the pool, the couple faces its toughest test yet. Waterpark in the Winter is an acerbic look at the fragility of modern human relationships and the self-awareness necessary to curb our most toxic impulses. World Premiere. Talent Attending: Director Alex Suszko & Actor Kiele Sterner
5:30pm – Tim Travers & The Time Traveler’s Paradox (LBI Historical Museum). A scientist creates a time machine and kills their younger self. So now a man who should not – cannot – exist, somehow does. That is the Paradox, and Paradoxes are impossible. Guest appearances by Joel McHale, Keith David and Danny Trejo. The short version of the film was screened at LIFF 2022. Talent Attending, Executive Producer: Ben Yennie, Actor: Samuel Dunning
6:15pm – Janet Planet (Regal Manahawkin). In rural Western Massachusetts, 11-year-old Lacy spends the summer of 1991 at home, enthralled by her own imagination and the attention of her mother, Janet. As the months pass, three visitors enter their orbit, all captivated by Janet and her spellbinding nature. In her solitary moments, Lacy inhabits an inner world so extraordinarily detailed that it begins to seep into the outside world. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker captures a child’s experience of time passing, and the ineffability of a daughter falling out of love with her mother, in this singularly sublime film debut.
6:15pm – Shorts Block #8 (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of ELLA ES UNA SENSACIÓN/SHE’S A SENSATION; Good Grief; Nisei; Sound & Colour; The MasterPiece; The Painter. Click here for more info.
7:30pm – Ghostlight (LBI Foundation). When melancholic construction worker finds himself drifting from his wife and daughter, he discovers community and purpose in a local theater’s production of Romeo and Juliet. As the drama onstage starts to mirror his own life, he and his family are forced to confront a personal loss. Lighthouse alumni, Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan (Saint Frances, LIFF 2019) return to LBI with their new film, which stars Keith Kupferer, Tara Mallen, Katherine Mallen Kupferer, and Dolly De Leon. Attending Talent: Directors: Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan
8:00pm – Alone Together. A woman trapped in a toxic relationship is locked down during the pandemic with her brutish boyfriend. With the hope of healing their relationship, they flee to a remote family cabin but soon find they are not alone. Talent Attending, Director: William Kresch, Producer: Eric Reitz
8:30pm – Surf Shorts Block #2 (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of Surf Sherpas; Camilla; Power of the Printed Shirt; Daida Back to the Ocean; The Spider Web. Click here for more info.
8:45pm – Lighthouse Awards Winners Screening #1
Sunday, June 9
10:00am – Robot Dreams (LBI Foundation). Dog lives in Manhattan and he’s tired of being alone. One day he decides to build himself a robot, a companion. Their friendship blossoms, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of ’80s NYC. One summer night, Dog, with great sadness, is forced to abandon Robot at the beach. Will they ever meet again?
10:00am – High School Student Short Films Competition (LBI Historical Museum). Screenings of Upon Return; As We Knew It; Our Decay; Please Call Me…; First Date; Gone; The Rain Song; The American Dream; Flashbacks; My Love. Click here for more info.
10:00am – Shorts Block #9 (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of Breakfast of Champions; Ciela; Dragonfly; Guy Meets Girl; Likewise, Olive; One Last Touch; Your Move. Click here for more info.
12:30pm – Double Feature: How The Waves Were Won / The Forgotten Coast (LBI Foundation). How The Waves Were Won; Director: Michael Furno // USA, 35 min. A showcase of ocean life-savers culture and competition, as told through the eyes of the Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol and their chase for a record-setting seventh straight championship. It’s a heart-pounding journey as the Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol strive for a record seventh consecutive Long Beach Island Lifeguard Championship – a grueling 2-day, 19-event tournament battling against both rival squads and the relentless sea. How the Waves Were Won chronicles the importance of our lifeguards, celebrates teamwork, competition, and the invaluable dedication of those who, “Risk a lot to save a lot.” World Premiere. Talent Attending: Director Michael Furno and the Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol Team
The Forgotten Coast; Directors: Chris Burkard & Brian Davis // USA, 31 min. An immersive expedition across 41 glacial rivers, connecting a 400 km series of exposed sandbars along Iceland’s southern coast, with a fat bike & inflatable raft.
12:30pm – Episodics Block #4 (LBI Historical Museum). Screenings of Cut To; For Years to Come; Imposter; Mid Iris; Pike. Click here for more info.
12:30pm – Shorts Block #10 – Documentaries (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of Beeps; Comedy on Rye: Katz’s First Comedy Show; Dumpster Archeology; Losing Nimo; The Fish Doctor. Click here for more info.
2:30pm – Dandelion (LBI Foundation). A struggling Cincinnati singer-songwriter in a downward spiral, takes a last-ditch-effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota where she meets Casey, a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago. The two join a nomadic group of struggling musicians, the kindred spirits make music together and strike up a whirlwind romance. The experience moves Dandelion from a narrow view of success to a deeper appreciation of her artistic journey, and the discovery of a voice that is authentically her own. The film features a powerhouse performance by KiKi Layne, the star of The Old Guard and If Beale Street Could Talk.
3:00pm – Shorts Block #11 (Surf City Firehouse). Screenings of Gone Before Your Eyes; Same As It Ever Was; The Better Man; The Woman From Hamburg; Tina; Toast; Trapped. Click here for more info.
3:15pm – Darkhouse Shorts Block #3 (LBI Historical Museum). Screenings of The Girl Who Cried; The Faun of Healwood, The Edge; Bugbrain; Caller 102: A Ballad of Cyberspace; Leaving Yellowstone. Click here for more info.
7:00pm – Lighthouse Awards Winners Screening #2 (LBI Foundation).
