Following in the vein of what has been done in New Haven, we are showing documentaries that engage and enlighten, but also fiction films that enhance the understanding of subjects of import using the additional tools within the fictional storytelling format.
A student competition is open to students in the Northeast United States, giving them the opportunity for their films to be seen, discussed and celebrated in a public setting.
This festival will be held within New Haven County.
Lighthouse Lens Film Festival (2025)
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Lighthouse Lens Film Festival seeks to build a sense of community among filmmakers from the greater New Haven area, around Connecticut, and the world. Due to it is the first time since the early 20th century that New Haven does not have a public cinema, we strongly feel that there is a need to have people be able to see and discuss films (often with filmmakers) that are not the Hollywood blockbusters but reward the viewer with knowledge and insight, with subjects that add to the allure of film as an art form, while entertaining and enlightening the viewer.
Many area filmmakers work as independents, some teach at local universities, while others rely on various kinds of day jobs. We look forward to screening work that has been or will be shown at prominent International Film Festivals, but we also show work being made by local filmmakers whose work has not found the kind of recognition it deserves. We also look to faculty and students in the city’s schools and nearby universities to bring us new filmmakers.
OUR ORIGINS
Lighthouse Lens Film Festival (LLFF) comes via some of the members of the now-shuttered NHdocs. With guidance from that festival, we continue on in a similar fashion but with the addition of fiction films, retaining the firm belief that knowledge is power, and film an avenue to obtain that knowledge.
THE ORGANIZERS
Tony Sudol (Executive Director/Lead Programmer/Technical Adviser) has been involved in film & video production, projection of various formats of film, film archiving, and been involved in numerous film festivals. He is an advocate for the art form called film.
Katherine Kowalczyk (Director) has been making art for over 30 years, including photography, installations and paintings. She has been organizing screenings for over 15 years.
Lighthouse Lens Film Festival
LLFF: Lighthouse Lens Film Festival has been created to carry on the spirit of what NHdocs brought to the New Haven area: bringing filmmakers and cinephiles together. Especially with the loss of a movie cinema in New Haven, we intend to bring the best of what many do not get the opportunity to see and experience in a theatrical setting with not only documentaries but also fiction films; shorts and features. The goal of LLFF is to bring people together to promote synergy amongst viewers and artists, to spotlight subjects worthy of discussion, and to share knowledge for a better understanding of the world around us. Though a focus on the local and northeastern community, LLFF has future intentions to showcase not only local films but films of international importance that bring the world more into focus for the viewers.