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It’s red carpet time once again in Bellmore. Movie lovers will want to flock to the historic Bellmore Movies where the 15th installment of the Long Island International Film Expo is attracting enthusiastic audiences from around the region. Leave those 3D summer blockbusters to the kids and check out the latest output from an international group of filmmakers which runs through July 19.

The festival, now a summer fixture on Long Island, has evolved into a leading showcase for independent filmmakers, representing all genres of movie making from around the world. Its international appeal has a distinctly Long Island flavor: 37 of the 142 films being screened this year were produced by filmmakers from Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

And that is indicative of the health of the local film industry, according to Debra Markowitz, Director of Nassau County’s Film Office. Markowitz is also executive director of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation, which presents the Long Island International Film Expo.  

“There’s a lot going on here,” Markowitz said. “The industry continues to grow. We are incredibly busy, with feature films and TV being filmed here. Even commercials are making a comeback. It’s a good thing for everyone.”

The output of much of this filmmaking activity finds its way to the Long Island International Film Expo. “We are very excited to be at 15,” Markowitz said. “We have a core of dedicated people who do this year after year for the love of film and who want to bring films to the public.”

As always, the slate of films includes short and feature length, documentary and foreign selections. Also this year – for only the second time in the festival’s history – a block of children’s movies will be shown, on Wednesday, July 18. “We wanted to include the kids this year,” said Markowitz, “and we had a great feature submitted to us, ‘Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life,’ starring Mira Sorvino and Joe Pantoliano.” It is being shown with an animated film and some short films, and a movie trailer, for the budding film buff. “Not all independent films are kid-friendly, but “Jeremy Fink” is a really good kids film and something for everyone in the family to enjoy,” said Markowitz.

The festival kicks into high gear July 13, when all the feature films shown that day will be from Long Island. Documentaries of note include “Kinderblock 66: Return to Buchenwald,” “Hard Times: Lost on Long Island,” “My Really Cool Legs,” “Knocking on the Devil’s Door,” “#whilewewatch,” and “Blood, Sweat and Gears.” “Hard Times,” which was produced in conjunction with HBO Documentaries and was a 2011 Official Selection of the Hamptons International Film Festival, chronicles stories of Long Islanders who have been affected by the Great Recession and its devastating impact on the American Dream. “It’s sad but optimistic and an important film to show,” said Markowitz.

“Kinderblock 66” – shown in Sunday’s film block – is the powerful story of four men who, as young boys, were imprisoned by the Nazis in the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp and who, 65 years later, return to commemorate the 65th anniversary of their liberation. The film tells of the effort undertaken by the camp’s Communist-led underground to protect and save Jewish children who were arriving there towards the end of the Holocaust.

“It’s phenomenal,” said Markowitz. “This amazingly impressive film gives a really different take on a Holocaust movie.”

The festival continues to be about more than just screening movies. Aspiring filmmakers – and those film buffs who are interested in the process of filmmaking – have an opportunity to interact with industry insiders. The schedule includes panels on scriptwriting, film distribution and financing, and a filmmakers’ breakfast.

And, as always, at this audience-friendly event, everyone is invited to the Closing Night Party and Awards Ceremony, on Thursday, July 19, when the winners are honored. This year’s presenters include Robbie Rosen (of American Idol fame), Melissa Archer (“One Life To Live”), Robert Clohessy, and comedian Sal Richards. The ceremony takes place inside the Bellmore Movies. It’s an opportunity to see and meet these creative filmmakers who may be stopping here on their way to an Academy Award nomination one day.

Leave those 3D summer blockbusters to the kids and check out the latest output from an international group of filmmakers which runs through July 19.

The festival, now a summer fixture on Long Island, has evolved into a leading showcase for independent filmmakers, representing all genres of movie making from around the world. Its international appeal has a distinctly Long Island flavor: 37 of the 142 films being screened this year were produced by filmmakers from Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

And that is indicative of the health of the local film industry, according to Debra Markowitz, Director of Nassau County’s Film Office. Markowitz is also executive director of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation, which presents the Long Island International Film Expo.  

“There’s a lot going on here,” Markowitz said. “The industry continues to grow. We are incredibly busy, with feature films and TV being filmed here. Even commercials are making a comeback. It’s a good thing for everyone.”

The output of much of this filmmaking activity finds its way to the Long Island International Film Expo. “We are very excited to be at 15,” Markowitz said. “We have a core of dedicated people who do this year after year for the love of film and who want to bring films to the public.”

As always, the slate of films includes short and feature length, documentary and foreign selections. Also this year – for only the second time in the festival’s history – a block of children’s movies will be shown, on Wednesday, July 18. “We wanted to include the kids this year,” said Markowitz, “and we had a great feature submitted to us, ‘Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life,’ starring Mira Sorvino and Joe Pantoliano.” It is being shown with an animated film and some short films, and a movie trailer, for the budding film buff. “Not all independent films are kid-friendly, but “Jeremy Fink” is a really good kids film and something for everyone in the family to enjoy,” said Markowitz.

The festival kicks into high gear July 13, when all the feature films shown that day will be from Long Island. Documentaries of note include “Kinderblock 66: Return to Buchenwald,” “Hard Times: Lost on Long Island,” “My Really Cool Legs,” “Knocking on the Devil’s Door,” “#whilewewatch,” and “Blood, Sweat and Gears.” “Hard Times,” which was produced in conjunction with HBO Documentaries and was a 2011 Official Selection of the Hamptons International Film Festival, chronicles stories of Long Islanders who have been affected by the Great Recession and its devastating impact on the American Dream. “It’s sad but optimistic and an important film to show,” said Markowitz.

“Kinderblock 66” – shown in Sunday’s film block – is the powerful story of four men who, as young boys, were imprisoned by the Nazis in the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp and who, 65 years later, return to commemorate the 65th anniversary of their liberation. The film tells of the effort undertaken by the camp’s Communist-led underground to protect and save Jewish children who were arriving there towards the end of the Holocaust.

“It’s phenomenal,” said Markowitz. “This amazingly impressive film gives a really different take on a Holocaust movie.”

The festival continues to be about more than just screening movies. Aspiring filmmakers – and those film buffs who are interested in the process of filmmaking – have an opportunity to interact with industry insiders. The schedule includes panels on scriptwriting, film distribution and financing, and a filmmakers’ breakfast.

And, as always, at this audience-friendly event, everyone is invited to the Closing Night Party and Awards Ceremony, on Thursday, July 19, when the winners are honored. This year’s presenters include Robbie Rosen (of American Idol fame), Melissa Archer (“One Life To Live”), Robert Clohessy, and comedian Sal Richards. The ceremony takes place inside the Bellmore Movies. It’s an opportunity to see and meet these creative filmmakers who may be stopping here on their way to an Academy Award nomination one day.