What They Are Saying
“Thank you for such an incredible experience at Queens World Film Festival. We were deeply honored for Stick Bug to be included I really appreciated all of the care you put into your film selection and curation process, the events leading up to the screenings itself, and the resources you provided. Your passion and care for what you do left me feeling incredibly inspired, refreshed and eager for more.”
Talia Frank-Stempel, Stick Bug (2025)
“I wish all festivals were like yours. Well run, full of joy, and you show respect towards the work that programmers do not always see. Even the projectionist emailed me directly to confirm that the film had been received and that it looked great! What? That is so rare.”
Carolina Posse, The Game Camera (2025)
“I wanted to express my gratitude to Queens World Film Festival for the force it is…There’s a tremendous amount of behind the scenes work that most of us aren’t aware of, but we do feel the impact, the respect and the commitment you give each filmmaker.”
– Steven Speloiotis, Fire In My Belly (2025)
“I could not have imagined a better first-time visit to New York. The Queens World Film Festival will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I hope to attend the festival again in the coming years.”
– Ben Swearingen, Robbers (2025)
“You, Preston, and the team created such a vibrant, joyful, and beautifully spirited celebration of film, and we were thrilled to be part of it!”
Allison Moy Hayhurst, And Through the Portal We Go (2025)
“Where do I start.. I haven’t been on the festival circuit since 2014-2016 so I had no idea what to expect. Last Spring/early Summer I submitted to a handful of festivals that I thought would be a good fit. WOW! QWFF exceeded anything I thought a festival would do.”
Shawn Batey, We Keep Us Safe (2025)
“QWFF tries new ways, they say yes to unexpected things and have the due diligence to set the conditions for things to go well. We had meetings with distributors and industry insiders, it was like a structure of independent cinema descended in our neighborhood, where we often have to go elsewhere to get one quarter of what they provide, at best. Yet, they are bringing it to us!”
Patricia Silva, Bright Vignettes, How Astoria Got It’s Pride, (2025)
“From the moment at the potluck when Preston held up his cards and talked about considering the first and last images for blocs, days, and the entire festival, I knew I had to be there from the beginning to the end and I was not disappointed – bravo sir! Thank you thank you thank you! For the spectacular films, for the supporting events, for the incredible teamwork, for constantly going the extra mile for all of us.”
Blake Merrimen, The Escort (2025)
“I haven’t had so much fun at a film event in years and love what you folks are doing on many levels. Awesome, awesome, awesome!”
Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, Theatre, & Media Production
CUNY Queensborough Community College 2025
CUNY Queensborough Community College 2025
Carl Goodman
Executive Director –Museum of the Moving Image
Justin Staley
WYLDFLOWER, 2011
“The intellectual and aesthetic rigor with which the films were programmed was quite impressive.”
HOMELAND, 2019
“Queens World creates an abundance of opportunities for filmmakers to meet and champion each other.”
ABOUT A DONKEY, 2019
“I met so many new filmmaker friends, saw fantastic movies and learned about how to promote and talk about film.”
THE WIDOW, 2018
Sandra Schulberg
Board Member, IndieCollect
“Fantastic festival where film and filmmakers are celebrated.”
Fred Guerrier
BEAR, 2018
“QWFF showcases true independence in cinema. You will never feel rushed, lost, or as if you’ve fallen through the cracks.”
Brian Smolensky
SEARCHING FOR FORTUNE, 2015
“Our film was given a special award by the festival jury. This prize is incredibly dear to us because it awards the essence of why we wanted to tell this story and make this film.”
Stefanie Plattner & Eva Vonk
THE LITTLE FISH AND THE CROCODILE, 2019
Kris Sorbie
Juror, 2020
Patrick Chen
Andlife 2019; Confucius Plaza 2018; THE LAST TIP, Underneath The Grey, 2016; Love Express 2015
“QWFF held our work in high regards, showed us great respect as artists and worked hard to ensure that the screening was a celebration of our efforts.”
Shauntay Cherry
JUST ANOTHER PART OF ME, 2012
“Thank you so much for an amazing experience at QWFF and for the invaluable validation and support of me as a filmmaker.”
Orges Bakalli
MY NAME IS SOMEBODY, 2017
“I’m proud to be from Queens and to be part of the indie film movement that is thriving in the borough, in part thanks to the work they are doing with QWFF.”
Adam Schartoff
Programmer & Host of Filmwax Radio
“So happy we did this festival! A total gem in the heart of Queens.”
Anne de Mare
CAPTURING THE FLAG, 2018
“My experience at the Queens World inspired me as a filmmaker to go beyond the ambitions of the norm. It really is the one true film festival of Queens.”
Benjamin Tran
DUALITY, 2011
“Much praise is due to the extraordinary festival team of Katha and Don for crafting a truly memorable experience for film enthusiasts in such spectacular venues as Kaufman Astoria Studios and Museum of the Moving Image.”
Camille Wainer
THOU ART: DUBLIN, 2016
“I will recommend this festival to filmmakers and film enthusiasts and I hope to be involved with a film that screens there again soon!”
Rosie Nakamura
A DOG’S STORY, 2018
“The Queens World Film Festival shows an amount of love for film makers which is unrivaled.”
Faiyaz Jafri
THIS AIN’T DISNEYLAND, 2015
“Your attention to detail, style and class really sets your festival apart allowing for a very impressive, and unforgettable film festival experience.”
Jon Sajetowski
SHARP LOVE, SHARP KITTENS, 2011
“Your experience with QWFF will make you proud that you’re a filmmaker, because they acknowledge and respect all the time and effort you invested in your project.”
Philip Curcuru
4 EVER FAB, 2018
“An atmosphere where filmmakers of all types can come together, learn from each other and expand their networks. QWFF is not a festival to miss!”
Andrew Cannizzaro
GIRL AND HER GUARDIAN, A , 2012
“There was a real spirit of cooperation, sharing and support instead of competition. It was one of the best nights of my life!”
Patricia Shih
UNDOCUMENTED, 2016
“Providing an effective channel for artists’ ideas and ambitions and giving them the confidence and perspective they need to move on and up.”
Devereux Milburn
WADE, 2015
#Queens World Film Festival is an incredibly supportive festival for independent filmmakers. It’s not a festival to only present and celebrate your finished work, it’s a festival thoughtfully designed to connect and reconnect you to other indie filmmakers so you can develop and grow your community. It’s a festival led with passion and rigor, programming outstanding films, year after year. We are grateful to be part of the family.”
“Queens World helped me find my voice. This film is me using it—unapologetically.”
– Andrea O’Campo, Blackout (2025)
