New York Long Island Film Festival screens 113 films in Lindenhurst
The eighth annual event added a competitive twist to its workshop and awarded the film Path of The Caterpillar as overall winner.
By Amira Patel ·
The New York Long Island Film Festival screened 113 films and 17 screenplays over five days in Lindenhurst. The eighth annual event took place at Moose Lodge #1421 and the South Shore Theatre Experience. Festival directors Gerry Ferretti and Katie Schrader hosted filmmakers from the United States and abroad for the October and November 2026 gathering.
Organizers expanded the festival schedule to give attendees more time to view the entries. They introduced an affordable all-day pass to encourage visitors to stay longer and see more films beyond their initial blocks. Ferretti said the festival remains committed to providing a space for filmmakers to connect with peers and industry professionals.
The event featured a return of the "Shoot the Scene" workshop with a new competitive element. NYLIFF alumni worked in three-hour blocks to set up cameras, lighting, and sound to film a scene from a popular movie in front of a live audience. This year, the festival added a "Director's Challenge" that required an off-campus team to shoot the same scene with a different setting and theme.
Frank Calo led the in-house team, reimagining a scene from Marriage Story in a bar. His crew included Nick D'Agosta, Allie Pope, Mike La Gatutta, and Vern Gravdal. Marlyn Bandiero led the off-campus team, which depicted a home robbery. Both teams had 48 hours to edit their footage before presenting the final cuts at the awards ceremony.
The festival welcomed back actor Dan Lauria, known for The Wonder Years, and director Frank M. Calo. They joined Ferretti for a discussion with the audience about streaming options, distribution, and directing techniques. Filmmaker and producer Ilter Aykac also led a panel on obtaining film financing and producing.
The festival concluded with its third annual Sunday Awards Brunch. Winners included feature films such as The Dumbletons, What's Next For Jayden, and Best Man. The overall winner among the screenplays was Path of The Caterpillar. Dozens of short films and more than 25 screenplays received recognition.
Jose Sarango received the Spirit of NYLIFF award for his film It Came From Beneath. The award recognizes projects made with limited resources or small crews that deliver a lasting impression. John Ross Cocozza, director of The Inheritance, told attendees that the festival offered the most enjoyable experience among dozens of events he has attended.
Source: Long Island Press
