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OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The LIFF mission is to give independent filmmakers from around the world an opportunity for their voices to be heard and their stories to be told, allowing for diverse storytelling and giving audiences the opportunity to explore current issues while being educated, enlightened, engaged and always, entertained.

 

We believe film, as an art form, has the power to bridge cultures and illuminate the universality of the human experience, while fostering respect for our common humanity.

 

One of LIFF's core missions is to select cutting-edge, thought-provoking independent films that reflect the most impactful societal issues of the day. Our mission is driven by our belief in the value of inclusion, diversity and equity and unbridled creativity.

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About LIGHTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

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The Lighthouse International Film Festival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing new and innovative films and fostering the next generation of filmmakers

The festival offers five days of films, panels, Q&A's, networking, beachy parties and surfing and draws some of the industry's top film critics, producers and distributors.

This beachside festival also serves the community at large by presenting unique programs that inspire, engage and challenge via the art of film.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON LBI

Beautiful Long Beach Island is 18 miles of sand and six miles out to sea. So expect a holiday-like experience with outdoor parties, beach gatherings, boat rides and outdoor screenings. 

 

Each summer, Lighthouse International Film Festival brings to Long Beach Island a 5-day cinematic experience that includes cutting-edge independent films from the world's top film festivals, as well as fascinating discussions, panels and special location parties. 

 

The lineup includes feature films, shorts, episodics, narratives, documentaries, comedies, dramas, horror, surf films and more. There is something for everyone, from the sophisticated cinephile to the casual  movie goer.

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Executive Director
Christine Rooney

Artistic Director

Amir Bogen

Founder/Deputy Executive Director

Charlie Prince

Director of Production & Operations

Kearin Coonan

Industry Liaison

Will Kuhn

Senior Programmer

Natalie Caricato

Director of Shorts Programming
Chip Parham

Shorts Programmers

Yasmine Crawley

Fiona Kass

Director of Episodic Programming

Jesse R. Tendler

Episodic Programmer
Evgenia St. Zeller

Director of Darkhouse Programming

Joanna Bruno

Darkhouse Programmers

Ryan Guiterman

Luke Miller

Director of Surf Programming
Jasmine Dorothy Haefner

High School Student Films Programmers

Aaron Carnahan

Elif Skendin

Hali Traina

Film Society Director

Natalie Caricato

Treasurer

Bernice Schoket

Venue Managers
Sandy Bargiel

Trish Bianco

Phyllis Carile

Barbara Cassamina

Barbara Duff

Andrew Flack

Nancy Hammer

Anne Johnson

Russ Johnson

Barbara Karen

Mary Lyons-Kim

Lisa Lombardi

Dan Marcus

Karen Martinez

Sharon McKenna

Launa Ruoff

Janet Rosoff

Becky Tarditi

Mary Ellen Twomey

Lisa Willoughby

Screeners
Elayne Aion

Michele Batignani

Nicole Caricato

Sharon Dailey

Hope Gardiner

Catherine Holter

Lisa Lombardi

Marc Sternberger

Mike Tramutola

Amy Williams

Sponsorship Director

Charlotte Prince

Technical Director

Karl Mehrer

Sound/Lights
Stirling Audio Services

Radio

WBNJ 91.9 FM

WJRZ 100.1 FM

Photography

Creatively Yours, Dayna

Sean Connelly

Betty Forkin

Steve Moran

Ed Shin

On-Line Technical Director
Terry Yuen

Board of Directors

David Baram

Wendy Dibell

John Dieterich

Denise Grayson

Eric Johnson

Shirit Gal Kedar

Jerry Levine

John Miller

Charlie Prince

Christine Rooney

Damian Schaible

Terry Yuen

Volunteer Coordinators

Lisa Bennett

Donna Cancel

Special Events Coordinator
Laury Hamilton

Welcome Center Coordinator

Sharon Dailey

Photo/Media Content Manager

Alex Daly

Access Coordinator
Lisa Willoughby

Film Society Membership Coordinator

Diane McCabe

Legal Advisors

Damian Schaible

Adam Shpeen

Elizabeth Pott

Public Relations
Justin Solar

Administrative Coordinator

Hope Gardiner

Community Outreach Coordinator
Joan Bercari

Andrew Flack

Guest Coordinator

Michelle Batignani

Hospitality & Housing Coordinators

Barbara Karen

Miranda Ring

Carole Rogin

Marketing/Branding Director
Hot Buttered Media - Beth Mann

Website Design

Waymark Solutions

Write By the Beach

Abbessi Akhamie

Shea Davies

Judi Krantz

Sola Faeshun

2025 Poster Creation & Design
Nico Traut

Printers

Coastal Sign & Design

Evergreen Printing Company

Commercial

Oakleaf Media

Interns

Sadie Auciello

Savannah Anton

Sage Christensen

Zachary Ciappa

Sophia Dong

Patrick Irwin

Elysee Jacinto

Zenovia Jackson

Heidi Lamb

Sofie Lim

Sarah Meany

Siobhan O'Hea

Janiyah Ramos

Miranda Ring

Sabrina Shi

Mia Spallina

Shane Young Lopez

Staff And Special Thanks

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