Andi Orendain Talks the Inaugural Long Beach Film Fest. - Interview
Director of Advancement and Community Partnerships, Andi Orendain gives insight into the inaugural Long Beach Film Festival running August 29 & 3o, 2026.
I chatted with Andi Orendain, Director of Advancement and Community Partnerships for the inaugural Long Beach Film Festival, it quickly became clear that this isn’t simply another film festival looking to fill theater seats. For Orendain, cinema is another avenue for building community, amplifying unheard voices and creating meaningful conversations that extend well beyond the closing credits.
That perspective comes naturally. Outside of her role with the festival, Orendain is a full-time volunteer and advocate serving some of Orange County’s most vulnerable homeless communities. Her work spans emergency family shelters, after-school programs for children experiencing homelessness, and community development initiatives that focus on delivering practical, long-term solutions. It’s a commitment that informs the festival’s broader vision—one where storytelling has the power to foster empathy, inspire action, and strengthen connections throughout the region.
Those ideals take center stage as the Long Beach Film Festival makes its debut August 29-30, 2026, with the Opening Night Party aboard the historic Queen Mary on Friday, August 28, 2026, which is celebrating its 90th birthday. Centered at the iconic Art Theatre Long Beach, also celebrating its 101st anniversary after a recent renovation, the two-day festival promises to turn the city into a vibrant destination for filmmakers and audiences alike under the festival’s guiding philosophy: “Big enough to move the world, small enough to feel connected.”
Produced in partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach and Visit Long Beach, the inaugural festival is designed as a filmmaker-led celebration of independent cinema while serving as a platform for local artists alongside an international lineup of feature films, documentaries, and short films. Organizers also hope the event will strengthen Long Beach’s cultural identity, support independent visual artists, and generate regional tourism through a weekend dedicated to creative storytelling.
One film that embodies those goals is “Rescued,” the feature debut from filmmaker DJ Hale. Shot throughout Long Beach, the heartfelt drama follows a man experiencing homelessness whose life changes after adopting a stray dog, while highlighting familiar landmarks including Rosie’s Dog Beach. For Orendain, whose advocacy work places her in daily contact with individuals and families facing homelessness, the film presents an honest and compassionate portrayal of a reality too often misunderstood. Hale will be in attendance for a Q&A following the 1:30 screening on Sunday, sharing the inspiration behind the film.
Festival attendees can choose from several ticket options, including a VIP Pass offering access to every screening, panel, party, special event, the Filmmaker Lounge, and the Queen Mary Opening Night celebration. An All-Festival Pass provides admission to every screening at the Art Theatre on August 29 and 30, while individual tickets will also be available for each film block, making the inaugural Long Beach Film Festival accessible to cinephiles, casual moviegoers, and supporters of independent filmmaking alike.
To purchase tickets for the inaugural Long Beach Film Festival visit: https://www.longbeachfilmfestival.org/tickets.
The Historic Art Theatre Long Beach is located at:
2025 E. 4th St.
Long Beach, CA 90814