Kicking off the eighth annual Long Beach International Film Festival

Four-day festival will include tasting event at Kennedy Plaza, free beach concert and ‘Chefs & Shorts’

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The 8th annual Long Beach International Film Festival is set for July 31 to Aug. 3 and will include film premieres and red carpet events, food tastings, a free beach concert and more.

The festival's lineup includes an international slate of more than 50 films, including feature-length narratives, documentaries, short and animated films.

Presented by SVS Fine Jewelry Featuring Forevermark, the  event's opening night was set for Wednesday with a screening of the film “Astronaut” starring Richard Dreyfus at the Regal Lynbrook 13 Theater at 5 p.m. The four-day festival will also include a free concert on the beach, a tasting event at Kennedy Plaza, the popular “Chefs & Shorts” at the Allegria Hotel and a casino night.

Organizers kicked off the festival at a news conference at the Allegria on July 25, where they were joined by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and county officials, filmmakers, musicians and chefs.


Wednesday’s opening night screening will be followed by the Taste on the Plaza red carpet event at Kennedy Plaza in Long Beach, where 30 restaurants will showcase a variety of food, wine, beer, and spirits with live music celebrating filmmakers and artists. Tickets are $75 and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Long Beach Soup Kitchen.

This year’s LBIFF official selections include entries ranging from documentaries such as “Andy Irons: Kissed by God” to features like “Rory’s Way.”

Films will screen at the Regal Lynbrook 13 Theater as well as the Long Beach Public Library, and will compete for a series of Jury, Festival Honors and Audience Awards.

“The films are the backbone of the festival,” said festival co-founder Craig Weintraub. “From enjoying food and wine, listening to live music, or watching international films, the Long Beach International Film Festival is an event that has just about everything.”

On Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m., the “Chefs & Shorts” event offers festival-goers a unique dining experience, pairing gastronomy and short films at the Allegria Hotel. Guests will be offered a five-course meal with wine pairings, each course inspired by a short film.

“It sells out every year,” Weintraub said. “It is the one that people look forward to the most. Chefs and Shorts, to me, is the ultimate combination of all the elements of our festival.”

On Aug. 2 at 6 p.m., the free “Concert on the Beach” will feature the Riff Reggae band Aqua Cherry from Port Jefferson, as well as Long Island singer Sammi Rae and Long Beach native DJ CHEF, who simultaneously cooks and deejays.

“Each year, the festival draws more and more local musical talent and I’m excited to showcase these rising stars in front of film makers and producers from all over the world,” said Rick Eberle, LBIFF’s live music director.

For more information and tickets, visit www.longbeachfilm.com.

•Opening Night & Taste on the Plaza, Wed., July 31: Celebrate Opening Night of the Eighth Annual Long Beach International Film Festival. The opening night’s film, “Astronaut,” will screen at the Regal Lynbrook 13 Theater at 5 p.m., immediately followed by Taste on the Plaza. This red-carpet event will feature interview opportunities accompanied by the “Tastes” of over 30 restaurants, wines, beers and spirits on Kennedy Plaza with live musical performances celebrating filmmakers and artists. The event will take place at Long Beach Kennedy Plaza, 1 W. Chester St.. Tickets start at $75.

•Chefs & Shorts, Thursday, Aug. 1: Enjoy free films all day at the Long Beach Public Library from 12 to 6 p.m., followed by renowned foodie event, Chefs & Shorts, at 6:30 p.m. Back by popular demand, the Long Beach International Film Festival is partnering with Devour! to present a unique dining experience, pairing gastronomy and short films at the chic beach-front Allegria Hotel. Guests will enjoy a five-course meal with wine pairings, each course inspired by a short film. Chefs & Shorts will be hosted in the Allegria Hotel ballroom, 80 W. Broadway. Tickets start at $150.