April 12, 2026

The inaugural Long Island Cinema Festival kicks off Monday, April 13, at The Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center in Patchogue, running April 13–18 across six South Shore and central Suffolk venues. Founded by three local filmmakers, the festival spotlights independent shorts, features, documentaries, and screenplays — with a Marquee Night on Thursday, April 17, at South Bay Cinema in West Babylon.
This is the first year for the Long Island Cinema Festival, built from the ground up by three local filmmakers: George Massimillo, TJ Kiss, and Keith Rugen. Their goal was straightforward — create a real independent film festival rooted in Long Island communities, with screenings spread across towns rather than locked into one multiplex.
One standout feature is the "Legacy" category — films from three to five years back that shaped a filmmaker's development but never got wide exposure. The multi-venue format also sets it apart: screenings at a brewery or restaurant create a different atmosphere than a traditional cinema.
Thursday, April 17, is Marquee Night at South Bay Cinema in West Babylon — the flagship event of the festival week. Details on what screens that night are being announced at longislandcinemafestival.com.
Tickets and the full schedule are available at longislandcinemafestival.com. The Plaza Cinema box office opens one hour before the first show each day. Phone: (631) 438-0083.