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.
About LIGHTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
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.
Director
Wilhelm Kuhn
Managing Director
Christine Rooney
Artistic Director
Amir Bogen
Founder/Deputy Executive Director
Charlie Prince
Senior Programmer
Natalie Caricato
Directors of Shorts Programming
Chip Parham
Carolina Gimenez
Shorts Programmers
Aaron Carnahan
Larry Fried
Anu Narayan
Director of Episodic Programming
Jesse R. Tendler
Director of Darkhouse Programming
Joanna Bruno
Darkhouse Programmers
Ryan Guiterman
Luke Miller
Director of Surf Films Programming
Jasmine Dorothy Haefner
High School Student Films Programmer
Jesse R. Tendler
Film Society Director
Natalie Caricato
Treasurer
Bernice Schoket
Venue Managers
Sandy Bargiel
Trish Bianco
Phyllis Carile
Barbara Duff
Andrew Flack
Brendan & Debbie Floyd
Nancy Hammer
Anne & RussJohnson
Barbara Karen
Mary Lyons-Kim
Lisa Lombardi
Dan Marcus
Karen & Raphael Martinez
Sharon McKenna
Maggie O'Neill
Amanda Pullinger
Launa Ruoff
Janet Rosoff
Becky Tarditi
Mary Ellen Twomey
Lisa Willoughby
Screeners
Elayne Aion
Michele Batignani
Nicole Caricato
Sharon Dailey
Lisa Lombardi
Marc Sternberger
Mike Tramutola
Amy Williams
Maggie O'Neill
Sponsorship Director
Charlotte Prince
Technical Director
Karl Mehrer
Sound/Lights
Stirling Audio Services
Radio
WBNJ 91.9 FM
WJRZ 100.1 FM
Photography
Fred Bercari
Matt Brawn
Sean Connelly
Lisa Dolan
Betty Forkin
Pat Marino
Steve Moran
Dayna Otto
Peter Russo
Ed Shin
Jesse R. Tendler
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
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
Gabriella Mazero
Public Relations
Diana Drumm
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
Code Nimbuzz, Inc
Write By the Beach
Abbessi Akhamie
Shea Davies
Judi Krantz
Sola Faeshun
2025 Poster Creation & Design
Michele Guerriero-Shore Design
Printers
Coastal Sign & Design
Evergreen Printing Company
Commercial
Oakleaf Media
Interns
Zachary Ciappa
Siobhan O’Hea
Jillian Kane
Richard Engebretsen
Mary Kate Palmisano
Joseph Cabornero
Cathryn Bogart
Grace Puskas
Naniyah McClain
Kara McKennedy
John McTigue
Sam Rentos
Daniel Oltman
Ryan Bruzzese
Advisory Board
Jason Alexander
Suzan Bymel
Michael Jackman
Tyler Nilson
Howard A. Rodman
Michael Schwartz
Nina Tassler