Movie screenings by the beach sounds like a perfect combination, and with the Lighthouse Film Festival in Long Beach Island, locals can get a good taste of both.
Taking place June 4 to 8, the 17th-annual iteration of this creative event allows independent filmmakers from around the world the opportunity for their voices to be heard and their stories to be told. The festival offers five days of films, panels, Q&A’s, networking, “beachy” parties and even surfing. Screening-wise locals will be able to catch feature films, shorts, episodics, narratives, documentaries, comedies, dramas, horror, surf films and other viewing opportunities from all over the globe.
‘Americana‘ will serve as this year’s opening film, set to play on June 5 with writer-director Tony Tost in attendance. The film, starring Sydney Sweeney, Halsey and Paul Walter Hauser, is described as a “modern-day Western,” with its cast of characters fighting over the possession of a rare Native American artifact.
Other showings to look out for include ‘Omaha’ from director Cole Webley (Webley will be in attendance), ‘Slanted’ from director Amy Wang and ‘Fantasy Life’ from director Matt Shear (producer Emily McCann Lesser will be in attendance.)
‘Omaha’ stars John Magaro as a struggling father embarking on a road trip with his two children through the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, ‘Slanted’ (which also happens to be the winner of the SXSW Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature) is a speculative fictional narrative about a Chinese American teen who undergoes an experimental medical procedure to become Caucasian. ‘Fantasy Life’ features an all-star cast (comprised of Amanda Peet, Alessandro Nivola and Holland Taylor) and follows Sam Stein, who suffers a panic attack and stumbles into a job babysitting his psychiatrist’s three granddaughters—and begins to fall for their married mother.
‘Seinfeld’ actor Jason Alexander will also be in attendance this year as both a Keynote Speaker, and also, a director. Visitors can catch an intimate conversation with the actor discussing filmmaking and his career on Saturday, June 7, plus, a special 25th anniversary screening of his film ‘Just Looking’ with a Q&A to follow on Friday, June 6.
“I am honored and flattered that the Lighthouse International Film Festival has chosen to honor the glorious little film I made nearly 25 years ago,” says Alexander. “Most artists make things not for dreams of profit but out of passion and inspiration. I hope this film and this festival will inspire and nurture the passions of our next generation of storytellers and filmmakers.”
The 1999 film directed by Alexander follows sex-obsessed Lenny, who finishes 8th grade in the Bronx in 1955, and aims to see “the act of love” that summer at his aunt’s place in Queens. While there, he makes friends, meets a cute nurse Hedy, and learns a few things.
“As we enter our 17th year of the festival, we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome New Jersey legend Jason Alexander as our Keynote Speaker in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of his hilarious and moving film ‘Just Looking’,” adds Christine Rooney, LIFF Executive Director. “We know filmmakers and attendees alike will be thrilled to learn from his incredible experiences as a director, producer, writer and actor both on screen and on stage at his keynote presentation.”
Additional special events at the Lighthouse Film Festival include masterclasses with Oscar Nominated Producer Michael Jackman of ‘Conclave’ and Sam Lipman- Stern, Director and Executive Producer of HBO’s ‘Telemarketers.’ Times and locations can be found online.
Beach-lovers can also get their surfing fix in with ‘A Marble in the Jar’ from director Greg Browning. The world premiere of the film captures professional surfer Tatiana Weston-Webb’s journey to find meaning beyond medals and trophies, “through the conscious collection of life’s small victories.” At the screening, audiences can catch producer/cinematographer Scott Smith, producer/cinematographer John Detemple and subject Tatiana Weston-Webb in attendance.
The closing night film for this year will be ‘American Sweatshop’ from director Uta Briesewitz. The film, starring Lilli Reinhart, follows Daisy, who works within an industry of agencies that evaluate harmful and offensive pictures and videos uploaded to social media. One particularly violent video grabs hold of Daisy, luring her out of the office and away from the safety of her keyboard and into “a dangerous world as she obsessively seeks to hold someone accountable.”
Screenings will take place at the Surflight Theatre (201 Engleside Ave, Beach Haven, New Jersey), the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences (120 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, New Jersey) and the Surf City Firehouse (713 Long Beach Blvd, Surf City, New Jersey.)
The Festival will also feature some parties as well, where badge/pass holders and filmmakers can mingle and enjoy food and drinks around town. Music and dancing will be in full swing at Nardi’s Tavern (11801 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach) on June 4, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., an industry (invite only) event will take place on June 5, at The Gables Historic Inn & Restaurant (212 Centre St., Beach Haven), a soiree is set for June 6, at The Marlin Bar & Restaurant (2 S Bay Ave., Beach Haven) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., plus an all-day event will be in full swing at the Queen City Marina
(525 2nd St., Beach Haven) on June 6, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
A closing night party will cap it all off at Joe Pop’s Shore Bar and Restaurant (2002 Long Beach Blvd., Ship Bottom) on Sunday, June 8 from 5 to 7 p.m.
To find out more information on the 2025 Lighthouse Film Festival and to nab tickets and passes (various prices), visit lighthouseff.com
