It’s red carpet time once again in Bellmore. Movie lovers will want to flock to the historic Bellmore Movies where the 15th installment of the Long Island International Film Expo is attracting enthusiastic audiences from around the region. Leave those 3D summer blockbusters to the kids and check out the latest output from an international group of filmmakers which runs through July 19.

The festival, now a summer fixture on Long Island, has evolved into a leading showcase for independent filmmakers, representing all genres of movie making from around the world. Its international appeal has a distinctly Long Island flavor: 37 of the 142 films being screened this year were produced by filmmakers from Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

And that is indicative of the health of the local film industry, according to Debra Markowitz, Director of Nassau County’s Film Office. Markowitz is also executive director of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation, which presents the Long Island International Film Expo.  

“There’s a lot going on here,” Markowitz said. “The industry continues to grow. We are incredibly busy, with feature films and TV being filmed here. Even commercials are making a comeback. It’s a good thing for everyone.”

The output of much of this filmmaking activity finds its way to the Long Island International Film Expo. “We are very excited to be at 15,” Markowitz said. “We have a core of dedicated people who do this year after year for the love of film and who want to bring films to the public.”

As always, the slate of films includes short and feature length, documentary and foreign selections. Also this year – for only the second time in the festival’s history – a block of children’s movies will be shown, on Wednesday, July 18. “We wanted to include the kids this year,” said Markowitz, “and we had a great feature submitted to us, ‘Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life,’ starring Mira Sorvino and Joe Pantoliano.” It is being shown with an animated film and some short films, and a movie trailer, for the budding film buff. “Not all independent films are kid-friendly, but “Jeremy Fink” is a really good kids film and something for everyone in the family to enjoy,” said Markowitz.