The Lighthouse International Film Festival: Review
The Lighthouse International Film Festival and the Importance of Indie Film
On June 10th & 11th, I was lucky enough to travel to Long Beach Island for the 8th Annual Lighthouse International Film Festival. The Lighthouse International Film Festival was founded by a collection of filmmakers, film critics and film industry professionals who share a passion for film and wanted to create an event aimed first and foremost at film enthusiasts. The 2016 festival presented feature films, shorts, documentaries and family films, as well as panel discussions with leading film industry professionals.
Some personal information about me…I actually have a degree in Film and Media Arts. In college, and after, I participated in many film competitions and festivals creating original shorts. I also worked on the student Film Festival at college. Keeping that in mind, I can tell you that this film festival reignited my passion for independent filmmaking.
We missed the opening night film, “Cameraperson”, but got there in time on Friday for the film, “Booger Red”. Curious by the name, we decided to check out the spotlight film directed by Berndt Mader. In the film, reporter Onur Turkel plays himself in this hybrid documentary/narrative film which follows him as he discovers the truth behind the largest purported child sex ring in Texas history. With many twists and turns, the style of the film keeps you engaged into the discovery of what Turkel uncovers. Fans of the Netflix documentary, “Making a Murderer”, will enjoy this film as it questions your concept of the American judicial system.
Our next film was the NJ premiere “Women Who Kill”, the winner of the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival for Best Screenplay. This dark comedy/horror film stars director and writer Ingrid Jungerman, who was at the film festival for a Q and A.
“Women Who Kill” tells the story of a popular podcaster whose focus is on women killers, who ends up falling in love with a mysterious woman…only to suspect that she may be a potential serial killer. The movie is both funny and tense, and was expertly written with wit about relationships and paranoia.
Friday night was great because we got to attend the after party at the Dutchman’s Brauhaus. The after party involved staff members of the film festival including Exec Director Eric Johnson, viewers who purchased an all access pass, and the filmmakers.
The filmmakers were all very approachable, and even though I did not get to see all the films, I did get to speak to filmmakers about their films. I spoke to David Kaltenbach who screened a documentary “Yesterday’s Fish, Today’s Challenges” about the challenges of fisherman both past and present in Long Beach Island.
The next morning we got to attend another unique event at Joe Pop’s Shore Bar in Ship Bottom, Breakfast with the Filmmakers. Renowned film critic Glenn Kenny moderated a panel with filmmakers who were in town for the Lighthouse International Film Festival.
On Saturday we saw 3 powerful documentaries all with important messages:
Tickled – Tickled tells the story of what happened when New Zealand journalist David Farrier stumbles upon a mysterious tickling competition online. As he delves deeper he comes up against fierce resistance, but that doesn’t stop him getting to the bottom of a dark story stranger than fiction. I was literally on the edge of my seat, and the end result of the film will surprise and frustrate you.
A Brilliant Genocide – A powerful, important film about the tragedy going on in Northern Uganda. The film and the Q & A brought me to tears. The documentary film reveals untold stories from the 20 year long war in Northern Uganda between Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan Government Under Current President Yoweri Museveni.
Chronicle of a Summer in Europe – The LIFF featured the world premiere of first time director’s Kristian Kiehling first person portrait of the greatest migrant crisis the world has ever known. The film shows the difficulties that refugees, government and humanitarian volunteers alike all face in wake of unprecedented events. Director Kristian Kiehling spent the summer of 2015 traveling the refugee route from Malta and the Mediterranean Sea to England, alongside those displaced by war, economic despair and he brings to the screen a story of humans hoping for a better life, as well as the innumerable frustrations they encounter and dangers they face. Featuring stunning images, vital reporting and incredibly important interviews with the migrants themselves, Kiehling documents a tremendously complex set of stories, sometimes at odds with what is being reported, but always human. A tremendously important film, skillfully put together in a manner, it is a story that will move and incite you to action.
The Lighthouse International Film Festival had eye opening independent films that you would not have a chance to see anywhere else. It is important to attend film festivals like this, who hand pick fantastic films from indie filmmakers who work hard on features and shorts that have important messages. Where else can you see a film and get a chance to talk to the filmmaker who made it? Where else can you see films so interesting that you talk about them with your family and friends for days? These films stick with you, and I would not have seen them without attending the film festival.
I will definitely be going back to the festival next year for all four days. The experience of going educated me on topics I did not know or think to explore before, the narrative films inspired me to get back into writing, and the overall experience of meeting passionate filmmakers and the people behind the festival was wonderful. I cannot recommend it enough.
Press Release on the LIFF 2016 Winners:
The Lighthouse International Film Festival is pleased to announce our winners from last night’s award ceremony. Our 8th was indeed our best and we continue to grow. See you next year at the Festival and check our Lighthouse International Film Society for films screening through out the year on L.B.I.!
That’s a wrap! We can’t thank the countless volunteers, staff, filmmakers, families, crew, and patrons that attended the Lighthouse International Film Festival this year enough for a highly successful year. It was a year to remember! Listed below are the winners of last night’s awards:
Grand Jury Award – Best Narrative Feature: Colby
Special Jury Award for Ensemble Performance: West Coast
Grand Jury Award – Best Documentary Feature: The Babushkas of Chernobyl
Special Jury Award for Documentary Feature – Please Remember Me
Audience Award – Narrative Feature: Empty Space
Audience Award – Documentary Feature: Until Proven Innocent
Audience Award – Spotlight Film: Harry and Snowman
Grand Jury Award – Best Narrative Short Film: The Duke: Based on The Memoir ‘I’m The Duke’ by J.P. Duke
Grand Jury Award -Best Documentary Short Film: Joe’s Violin Special
Jury Award For Cinematic Visual Concept: FlySpy
Audience Award – Short Film: Joe’s Violin
Grand Jury Award – Best HS Student Film: Perception - by Graham Burrell
Volunteer Award: Sharon Dailey and Pat Dengler
See you all next year at the movies by the sea!
