The 10th Annual Queens World Film Festival was set to run March 19 – 29, 2020. On March 16, we were informed that all cultural organizations in NYC would be closed for at least 2 weeks. 

However, on March 19, we opened on time and online with 191 films. We ran for 11 days and garnered over 30,000 views. While it was not what we had planned, the instant global connections with a world that had suddenly shut down, the new audiences and the feedback from the filmmakers encouraged us.

We believe in the restorative power inherent in making art, experiencing art and reflecting on art.  We believe in storytelling. We believe in gathering. We believe in going forward. To that end, Queens World has continued into the NEW….new. 

Each week, Queens World celebrates a Hero of the Week doing great work in the community by curating a BLOCK of films in their honor, which runs free online, all week. In addition, on Wednesday Night @ 9 pm, we broadcast a live stream Zoom meeting with the Heroes and Filmmakers of the week. We know that these screenings make indie cinema relevant to new audiences while highlighting worthy community heroes. 

Since the series began in early May, when Covid was at it height in NYC, Queens World has heralded the work by community based organizations that stepped up when the community was in need. Agencies that we have celebrated include Covid Care Neighborhood Network, Rockaway Youth Task Force, Queens Pride, #Lovewinsfoodpantry, MinKwon Center for Community Action, United Sherpa Organization, A Fair Shake for Youth, Commonpoint Queens, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and others. 

A complete calendar of upcoming events can be found here.