Queens Rising Kick-Off Event
April 21, 2025
QUEENS MUSEUM
9:00 AM
Featuring
- Donovan Richards Jr., Queens Borough President
- Sally Tallant, President and executive director, Queens Museum
- Michelle Stoddart, Vice president of Community Development, Resorts World New York City
- Lorraine Chambers Lewis, President, Northwell Health, LIJ Forest Hills
- Katha Cato, Executive Director, Queens World Film Festival
- With scores of local artists, cultural leaders, and elected officials
Queens World Film Festival is introducing 6 young Rising Queens Filmmakers from Frank Sinatra High School, Motion Picture Technical High School, Queensborough Community College, La Guardia Community College, ReelWorks/MediaMkrs and the Queens World Film Festival Young Filmmakers Program.
Additional Information
WHAT: Queens Rising 2025 officially launches with a Kick-Off Celebration at Queens Museum on Monday, April 21, previewing a month-long, multidisciplinary celebration of arts and culture across Queens. Now in its fourth year, Queens Rising continues amplifying the borough’s unparalleled diversity of talent and creative expression.
This year marks a shift in mission, with a greater focus on co-producing events in close collaboration with partners across the borough—shifting from the traditional calendar model to more intentional and localized activations. The initiative will include curated performances, exhibitions, and community celebrations in partnership with Queens-based cultural institutions and artists.
Among the initiative highlights are the Visual Arts Exhibition at the Red Wall Art Gallery of Resorts World NYC on June 1st and performances at the stage of the Queens Night Market on June 14. The Queens Scene Performance Series will take place in Flushing Town Hall, Alewife Brewery, King Manor Museum and CultureLab LIC. A continually updated events listing is available on the Queens Rising website HERE.
WHO: Invited speakers include Donovan Richards Jr., Queens Borough president; Sally Tallant, president and executive director, Queens Museum; Michelle Stoddart, Vice president of Community Development, Resorts World New York City; Lorraine Chambers Lewis, president, Northwell Health, LIJ Forest Hills; Katha Cato, executive director, Queens World Film Festival; and local artists, cultural leaders, and elected officials.
Queens Rising Artists Timmy Ong & Shan Y Chuang will perform as a duo presenting Echoes of Arrival.
WHERE: Queens Museum | 100-01 Northern Blvd, Corona, NY 11368 | Directions
Background
Queens Rising stands as an annual beacon of cultural celebration, dedicated to illuminating the vibrant tapestry of Queens, New York. Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has served as a catalyst for unity, bringing together artists, performers, and organizations to showcase the borough’s rich artistic heritage. Through collaboration, it connects artists, venues, and businesses, creating new pathways for creativity and innovation. At Queens Rising, the belief in the transformative power of art and culture to inspire, connect, and uplift communities remains central.
SPONSORS:
Queens Rising 2025 is made possible through the generous support of Resorts World NYC (Title Sponsor), Northwell Health/LIJ Forest Hills, Howard Gilman Foundation, Kupferberg Family Foundation, and Kupferberg Center for the Arts.
QUEENS RISING ONLINE
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Queens World Film Festival is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and through Discretionary Funding from Council Member Shekar Krishnan and DYCD.
Are You a Friend of the Festival?
1,974 films screened from 98 nations including 31 films by NYC school children….15 years and counting! Will you be a part of it?
