Strong also recalls many veterans stating that the behavior of the actors as trained soldiers was very accurate. “We’ve been talking with Veterans Affairs because we came up with the idea of doing screenings at veterans’ hospitals in the future.”

The dynamic filmmaker is ready to get back to writing and directing. Next he’ll be directing the feature “No Rhyme No Reason,” which he describes as “a very unique story about a rapper who witnesses the murder of his prostitute mother at an early age, causing him to become a serial killer.” He continues to develop the script with the writers, and hopes to shoot it next year.

For now, Strong is thrilled about having been a part of LIIFE, which he feels has cast a positive light on Long Island. “Long Island has grown in the spotlight because of the festival,” he says. “There are so many people from all over the world that come to it. When I went out to L.A. people would say to me, ‘Isn’t that where Joey Buttafuoco is from?’” Strong shakes his head, chuckling. “I would wonder why they even remember Joey Buttafuoco! But I think a festival like this proves that we’re so much more, and that we’re capable of amazing things out here.”