Love Wins Film Festival returns to Sayville with House of Yes partnership

By AI, Created 4:00 PM UTC, May 19, 2026, /AGP/ – Love Wins International Film Festival returns June 6-9 to Sayville Theatre with more than 30 films, live performances and art programming focused on LGBTQ+ stories, mental health and social justice. The 11th edition also adds a May 29 Brooklyn kickoff with House of Yes and community events across Long Island.

Why it matters: - Love Wins International Film Festival is using its 11th year to expand a platform for LGBTQ+ storytelling, emerging artists and socially driven independent film. - The festival says this year’s slate is built around visibility, advocacy and community, with programming that reaches beyond screenings into live performance, art and networking. - Organizers expect to top last year’s attendance of more than 1,200 people from 15 countries.

What happened: - The Suffolk Music and Arts Festival, presented by Love Wins International Film Festival and Babylon Pride, returns to Sayville Theatre June 6-9, 2026. - The festival is adding a new partnership with Brooklyn venue House of Yes, including a discounted-ticket May 29 show. - The 2026 event includes food trucks, a Toy Story appearance by Woody, filmmaker panels, screenings, awards, networking events and visual art showcases. - Festival programming also includes a June 5 industry networking event at Fire Island Cherry Grove and a June 7 appearance in the Babylon Pride Parade.

The details: - More than 30 films from 12 countries are on the 2026 program. - The lineup spans LGBTQ+ identity, resilience, mental health, history and social commentary. - Featured titles include Trans Rising, HIM+, Paul Cuffe Is Me, A Clown Girl, While You Love Me and Glitterbaited. - Trans Rising is an award-winning documentary about Amsterdam’s transgender community, directed by John Rizzo. - HIM+ follows a gay man confronting HIV stigma after diagnosis, directed by Tyshawn “Creed” Smith. - Paul Cuffe Is Me is a music video that reimagines Paul Cuffee, a Wampanoag Native American and Black abolitionist, directed by Anita Allison. - A Clown Girl follows a woman whose love of clowning helps her bring joy to others, directed by Sokratis Alafouzos. - While You Love Me explores love between women and emotional honesty, directed by Sarah Allen and Zoë Lola. - Glitterbaited is a queer romantic farce inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac, produced by AJ Mattioli. - The festival will also run a visual arts competition and live talent showcase. - Selected performers will compete for a cash prize and meetings with Mara Santino of Luber Roklin Entertainment and Maggie Maes of MKM Talent Management. - The June 6 schedule starts with opening screenings at 10 a.m. and a talent competition at 11 a.m. EST. - Red carpet arrivals are set for 2 p.m., live performances for 3:30 p.m., screenings for 5 p.m. and the awards ceremony for 10 p.m. - The House of Yes kickoff is a “Dirty Circus” event on May 29 and May 30 at 2 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, with entrance at 408 Jefferson Street. - Sayville Theatre is at 103 Railroad Ave in Sayville, New York. - The festival is offering discounted round-trip ferry tickets through Sayville Ferry Service. - Sponsors and community partners include WBLI Radio, Le Fit, Monarch Nature, Cloud9 AVP, SEPA Mujer, Northwell Health and The Engage Organization. - The Engage Organization will be on site for voter registration and community engagement. - Press accreditation is available through Jade Umbrella PR. - More information and tickets are available on Film Freeway.

Between the lines: - The House of Yes collaboration signals a broader push to blend film with nightlife, dance and experiential art. - Pride for Youth is part of the festival’s community focus, tying the event to LGBTQ+ support services and mental health advocacy. - The selected films reflect a clear programming pattern: stigma, identity, history and queer joy sit at the center of the festival’s curatorial identity. - The addition of talent meetings suggests the festival is also trying to function as a career pipeline, not just a showcase.

What’s next: - The Brooklyn kickoff begins May 29. - Industry networking follows on June 5 in Fire Island Cherry Grove. - Screenings and live programming begin June 6 at Sayville Theatre. - The festival closes with the Babylon Pride Parade on June 7.