Lights, Camera, Creativity: Five Towns College hosts The Long Island Media Arts Show
By Grace Bonamico
As posted on the college’s website, “With roots dating back to the 1970s in the Office of the New York State Summer School for the Arts, LIMAS was created to identify and nurture artistically talented students. Over the years, it moved between several locations, all while staying true to its mission of inspiring and empowering young artists. In 1985, LIMAS found its permanent home at Five Towns College.”
With over 30 high schools participating in 2026, including Long Island School for the Arts, Syosset, East Islip, Massapequa, Commack, Wyandanch, Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Brentwood, and Patchogue-Medford, the event will showcase the work and talent of the Next Generation through film screenings, art exhibitions, and hands-on experiences.
“The Long Island Media Arts Show is more than a conference; it’s an immersive, real-world experience designed for high school students who are serious about creative careers. From the moment they arrive, they’re stepping into an environment that mirrors major industry events […] where they can learn directly from working professionals, explore cutting-edge tools, and see how ideas move from concept to production,” said FTC Professor and LIMAS Director Sharon Ryba-Pertz.
The juried process includes over 300 student art submissions across photography, film, 2D art, and game design, with the first three categories judged. Game design, new to the show this year, will be featured in an interactive Game Hub, where attendees can play and explore student-created work.
The day’s programming will be kicked off by keynote speaker Romeo Tirone ASC, DGA, an Emmy-nominated veteran director and cinematographer, and a new FTC professor, whose credits span decades in film and television. Students will gather in the Performing Arts Center for the welcome address, during which Tirone will present, along with remarks from College President Dr. David Cohen and others. Tirone is also presenting a Master Class on Professional Camera Operation, during which students will shoot a music video.
“I am honored to be the Keynote Speaker at the Long Island Media Arts Show,” Tirone said. “I am very excited to share my experience in film and television, and I hope to inspire students to find their passion and pursue a career in the ever-changing world of media arts.”
Throughout the day, students will have the opportunity to attend sessions, ranging from creative coding and podcasting to illustration and social media. FTC Mass Comm will present a special “High School TV Takeover” in Studio 400, where students will have the chance to step into a live production environment.
For FTC students in the behind-the-scenes roles, the event is just as meaningful to them as it is to visiting students. FTC Mass Comm students will test their skills and produce live television shows that spotlight the full conference experience.
“It’s nice that I get to play a big role in putting together this (television) event, and I’m looking forward to this opportunity,” said Mass Comm student Jesse Gaynor, one of the TV directors for the day.
LIMAS TV Schedule: Watch here on the FTC Record Online.
8:20 AM: Sound Check News AM Update
9:30 AM: LIMAS Welcome & Keynote Address
11:55 AM: High School TV Takeover
1:00 PM: Sound Check News PM Update
The FTC Sound Stream will also broadcast live from 8 AM to 2 PM. Listeners can expect LIMAS Conference updates, interviews with students, and a little music. Listen here.
Plus, FTC Record Online Reporters will have behind-the-scenes coverage and photos from conference sessions happening throughout the Dix Hills campus. Follow on social media @FTCMassComm.
