Deer Park Movie Director George Massimillo to be Honored at Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame on July 26th
Award-winning independent comedy film, ‘It’s Love, Bro’ to screen as part of monthly local filmmaker series.
STONY BROOK, NY — The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) will host a screening of the award-winning comedy feature film, It’s Love, Bro, directed by Deer Park filmmaker George Massimillo on Saturday, July 26th at 1 p.m. at LIMEHOF’s museum, located at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook, NY. This event is part of the monthly LIMEHOF Local Filmmakers Series, which places the spotlight on Long Island-based movie directors and their films.
The event is free for members and included with a ticket for general admission. LIMEHOF is also offering special tickets at $10 each for the film and Q&A only. These film tickets are only available at the counter for purchase on the day of the event.
“It’s surreal being honored by the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame,” said Massimillo. “I still haven’t fully wrapped my head around how incredible it is. There are so many iconic entertainers celebrated here, and having It’s Love, Bro—a film made entirely on Long Island, with local talent—featured in that same space is a tremendous honor. As an indie filmmaker, I’m proud to be part of this growing creative community, and I can’t wait to be there on July 26th.”
The film series is sponsored by Rob Eberle of Magnetic Vine and G&R Events. A Q&A will follow the screening with Massimillo and others involved in the film, emceed by LIMEHOF Vice Chairman Tom Needham. Actors from the film including Laura Gilchrist, Travis Grant, Sean Powers, Gerry Ferretti, Theresa Cannistraci-Farrell, and Michael La Gattuta are expected to be in attendance.
“The LIMEHOF Local Filmmakers Series is a celebration of the incredible filmmaking talent emerging from our region,” said Needham. “Each month, we showcase the creativity, passion, and dedication of local filmmakers, providing them with a platform to share their work and connect with audiences who appreciate the power of storytelling. This series is an important part of our mission to support the arts and highlight Long Island’s impact on the entertainment industry.”
LIMEHOF welcomes nominations of local film directors and movies for consideration to feature in the series. For more information, contact LIMEHOF at info@limusichalloffame.org.
About the Film: It’s Love, Bro
When the pandemic shut down the early development of a larger-budgeted project, writer/ director George Massimillo, producers Michael La Gattuta and Rodney Simmons, and executive producer Keith Rugen chose to pivot. Rather than pause, they used the seed money to create a new, personal project— filmed fast, independently, and with heart. That project became It’s, Love, Bro. Shot on an ultra-low budget in under 20 days, the film stars Matt Ventre, Laura Gilchrist, Travis Grant, Sean Powers, Thaddeus Plezia, Vincent Ricciardi, Jordyn Lauria, Gerry Ferretti, Theresa Cannistraci-Farrell, and Frank Failla—a vibrant ensemble of Long Island talent. The story follows recently-engaged Jeri and freshly-dumped Bob, whose unexpected friendship at work starts to push emotional boundaries—especially when Jeri’s jealous MMA fighter fiancé starts to suspect something is going on. Balancing heart, chaos, and a whole lot of laughs, the film explores attraction, loyalty, and the blurry line between friendship and something more. It’s Love, Bro had a successful self-funded theatrical release, playing in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, and critics and audiences alike have praised it for its comedic performances, clever pacing, and indie spirit. The film has earned multiple awards, including Best Film, Best Comedy, Best Editing (Michael La Gattuta), Best Comedic Performances (Thaddeus Plezia & Frank Failla), with honors from the New York Long Island Film Festival (NYLIFF), The Montauk Film Festival, and the Atlantic City Cinefest, among others. The film is now streaming on Amazon, continuing to find new fans with its Long Island roots and universal humor.
About the Filmmaker: George Massimillo
George Massimillo is a writer/director, born and raised in Deer Park, Long Island. His first feature, Enjoy Yourself (2008), was a romantic comedy shot on a shoestring budget that earned recognition on the film festival circuit. After a hiatus, he returned in 2017 with There’s Always One, which earned recognition at over 20 film festivals worldwide. In 2024, he released Waning Poetic, a time-travel high school comedy that blends nostalgia and heart, further solidifying his signature style of character-driven, emotionally grounded humor. George’s films—all comedies—focus on authentic, relatable characters navigating life’s awkward, imperfect, and often hilarious moments. “The world can be messy,” he says. “Sometimes all you can do is laugh and keep going—that’s what I try to capture in my films.” To date, he has written and directed four feature films, all of which were shot entirely on Long Island with his longtime producing partner, Michael La Gattuta. He is currently in production on his fifth film, The Ex-Change, which continues his commitment to grounded storytelling, local filmmaking, and comedy with heart.