Despite challenges, these short films were in the spotlight in Long Beach's International Film Festival’s final night

The Long Beach International Film Festival has celebrated cinematic arts each year since its inception in 2012. Organized by the nonprofit Long Beach Film Institute, the event is dedicated to the art of storytelling through the medium of film.

The festival gathers artists from around the world, boosting Long Beach’s cultural scene with its showcase of cinematic creativity. There were a few surprises this year, however, fueled by some controversy over the event’s sponsorship, and inclement weather.

Equinor, the company hoping to build the energy project Empire Wind off the coast of Long Beach, was the original headline sponsor of last weekend’s festival. The Norwegian energy giant had originally committed to spending $35,000, and its name was listed on festival promotional material and social media posts.

But Long Beach residents left numerous comments on the city’s Facebook page, voicing their opposition to the company’s involvement. The City Council agreed, though not specifically about Equinor’s sponsorship. It sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul on July 17, stating that members were “fully in support of the necessary and urgently needed transition to renewable energy” and ready to engage with an “offshore wind developer that proposes a reasonable project.” But not Equinor.

Just hours before the festival’s opening night on July 26, it was announced that Equinor was no longer a sponsor, and the event took place without any more issues.

Except for the bad weather.

Originally scheduled for July 26-29, the festival was extended by a day due to rain on Saturday. Despite the setback, more than 60 films were screened on the National Boulevard beach, behind the Allegria Hotel. The diverse lineup included full-length features, documentaries and an assortment of short films.

Herb Stratford, the event’s director and film programmer, explained the festival’s mission by saying that its goal is to “connect audiences with food and film through our events. We present films that may not otherwise be seen in the Long Beach area.”

The festival provided a platform for local filmmakers, previews of upcoming films, and culinary experiences in which film viewings were accompanied by food and wine tastings.

Last Sunday, the event concluded with Shorts on the Beach, showcasing short films from around the world. Open to the public free of charge, the event attracted a large turnout of film enthusiasts. According to Stratford, it offered a unique experience, featuring six short films on an outdoor screen just after sunset. It proved to be a fun and fitting conclusion to the festival. “A screening of films for free under the stars on the beach is the perfect summer night,” he said.

In anticipation, spectators arrived at the beach armed with blankets and chairs. This year’s shorts included “It’s a Dog,” “Sharps,” “Photo Op,” “The Art of Crossing,” “We Have Notes” and “Castello Cavalcanti,” and each was punctuated by laughter and applause. Attendees clearly enjoyed themselves, and there was a feel of community and mutual appreciation of the moviemakers’ art.

For his part, Stratford delighted in seeing so many smiling faces and hearing so much laughter. “The film program for Shorts on the Beach this year was light-hearted and funny,” he said, “and I think we could all use a few laughs right now.”

Elizabeth Shar, a Long Beach resident, attended this last night of the festival, and spoke about her love of short films. “I love the process of the short film,” she said. “The scripts are clearly original. The actors are indie-focused. And shorts are just a wonderful medium, because they’re a very flexible medium.”

In addition to her enjoyment of the festival, Shar noted the beauty of a full moon overhead. Having observed the bustling beach activity earlier in the day, she said she felt as if Long Beach’s vibrant energy was beautifully encapsulated in the festival, which ended on a high note and added to a special annual tradition.