The inaugural Sayville International Film Festival is underway, bringing filmmakers from around the world to Long Island for a long weekend full of screenings, networking and celebration.

Nearly 90 films, including shorts, documentaries and feature-length projects, are being screened through Saturday at the Sayville Theatre. For filmmakers, festivals like this offer an opportunity to connect with audiences and showcase their work.

Founder Maria Capp said the festival was created to connect independent filmmakers with industry professionals while creating opportunities close to home.

"This festival could serve both educationally but also vocationally for the people that are here. So it's bridging my relationships from LA to here," Capp said.

The festival also highlights local talent, including Long Island filmmakers eager to share their work with hometown audiences.

"It's just a full circle moment because I've traveled and I've been far and all this. And so I've done a lot of work in other places, and it's just all started here," filmmaker Erik Wegner said.

“The Sayville International Film Festival is going to create a new hub for young people that, you know, are passionate, are hungry to make new films, and they want to show their art to the world," said filmmaker and actor Emery Kelly.

The festival will be screening films through Saturday night.