A Queens World
Meet the Film Festivals from Queens!
June 29, 2024
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
You are invited to an exciting conversation with the directors of all 7 film festivals in Queens NY. Join us in the historic Zukor Theatre at the Kaufman Astoria Studios on June 29 for an opportunity to ask questions about their festivals, the role festivals can play in the life of your film, and how we can all work together to raise the visibility of Queens as the blossoming film hub of the East coast
Learn about these diverse and eclectic film festivals and how we are all working to raise the visibility of Queens within the international and national film industry. Come meet representatives of Astoria Film Club, Hellenic Film Society, Festival of Cinema NYC, Queens Underground International Film Festival, Sunnyside Shorts International Film Festival & Conch Shell International Film Festival and join in the conversation.
After a light Filmmaker Brunch at 11am, we will gather in the historic Zukor Theatre to share our experiences, and provide feedback to your questions about amplifying the voices of local filmmakers, promoting diversity and inclusivity in the industry, and attracting attention from industry professionals, and audiences worldwide.
Location:
Kaufman Astoria Studios – Zukor Theatre
35th Ave & 35th Street
Astoria, NY, 11106
View on Google Maps
Featuring Panelists from:
Maria Miles
President from the Hellenic Film Festival President
Ms. Miles, who has been a member of the board since 2019, brings much experience to her new role. She is the founding partner of an entertainment law firm in New York that focuses on all areas of entertainment and media law, including film, television, literary publishing, and digital media. Maria has served as counsel to numerous award-winning producers, directors, writers, actors, television hosts, multi-platinum recording artists, and sports teams. She is also an adjunct professor at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema and the School of Visual Arts, teaching entertainment law to filmmakers. She has extensive connections in the Greek and US film industries and has served as secretary of the board of New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT). She has deep roots in the Greek-American community. Born and raised in New York City, she graduated from The Cathedral School of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and later served on its school board.
Clark Jackson
Conch Shell Productions, Inc.
Conch Shell Productions Inc Advisory Board Member Clark Jackson is an award-winning actor, writer and producer who’s appeared on Broadway and starred in numerous TV series and films, most recently in the upcoming film Eugene The Marine with Scott Glenn, Annette O’Toole and Jim Gaffigan. Clark is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. To learn more, visit www.clarkjacksononline.com.
Dr. Adrienne Whaley
Queens Underground International Film Festival
Dr. Adrienn Whaley was born into a creative family and began expressing her interest in anything creative at an early age. Graduating from the High School Of Art &Design she pursued degrees in Business and spent the first part of her Career working in a diverse array of corporate, government and educational institutions. Today, she attributes much of her skills in running a Community based nonprofit event organization to the knowledge gained in the early years.
Dr. Whaley and son opened an Art Studio in 2016 with live performances at night and hosted their first Film Festival in 2019. As of 2023, the team added Distribution to their offerings for Filmmakers on several Streaming Platforms with Revenue Sharing while paring down to one Annual Film Festival held in February for Black History Month and continuing for several days every April allowing for more out-of-state attendees. The Mission of the Organization is not only to provide an elegant, fun and exciting Red Carpet International Film Festival, but to provide opportunities for learning, networking and Distribution for Movie Shorts as well as Full-Length Features from all over the world.
When asked what she is most proud of, Dr. Whaley shares, “Our retention rate of returning Filmmakers for 3 – 5 Seasons is incredible. I’m always surprised and very happy to see many of the same faces each Season and watch as Filmmakers greet each other as old friends.”
Sherry Gamlin
Sunnyside Shorts International Film Festival
CEO and Festival Director of the Sunnyside Shorts International Film Festival in New York City. 2001 to present. Film Judge, Producer of SSIFF and long time volunteer at God’s Love We Deliver. Sherry moved from Sunnyside to Los Angeles to make it as an actress. She realized LA was like another planet and moved back to NY and her beloved Sunnyside. She was, after all, a die-hard New Yorker. She decided to do a film festival of short films from all over the world because Sunnyside is filled with people from all over the world. And this wonderful event has gone on for 19 years and has attracted people and filmmakers from all over New York City.
Jayson Simba
Festival of Cinema NYC
Jayson Simba is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Queens. As an actor he has appeared in over 35 film and tv roles. In 2000 Jayson launched OneManShow Productions and had a hand in producing over 20 films. As a filmmaker, Jayson has written, directed and produced over 15 short and feature films. In 2016, along with two other indie filmmakers, Jayson established the Not For Profit organization Festival of Cinema Inc. Since 2017, they have organized the independent film festival, Festival of Cinema NYC, in Forest Hills, Queens. In just seven short years the festival has gained the support of The National Endowment for the Arts, The New York State Council on the Arts, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Queens Council on the Arts. The aim of Festival of Cinema NYC is to provide a platform for emerging undiscovered artists and establish a bridge between community, education, and advocacy through film exhibition. Festival of Cinema NYC enters its 8th year in 2024.
Phillip Cappadora
Astoria Filmmakers Club
Phillip Cappadora, President of the Astoria Filmmakers Club was born in Canarsie, Brooklyn, and raised in Goshen. From an early age, Phillip showed a keen interest in the performing arts, particularly in acting, singing, music, and theatre. Now Phillip’s interests include producing, writing, directing and he created the Astoria Filmmakers Club in 2019, so that he could bring his creative visions to life and support other artists in realizing their potential. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including two citations from the NYS Assembly on his birthday in 2024, highlighting his versatility and talent in the entertainment industry by creating NYC’s exclusive Battle Of The Boroughs competition, and the Triborough Film Festival, the Astoria Filmmakers Club’s main event of the year. Beyond his professional achievements, Phillip participates in various philanthropic efforts and serves on the Queens Chamber of Commerce nonprofits committee, focusing on arts education and community development. Phillip’s legacy is one of transformation, creativity, and community service. His experiences remind us that setbacks are not the end, but rather opportunities for growth and reinvention, inspiring others to pursue their dreams despite the challenges they may face.
Queens World is made possible, in part, by a Queens Community Arts Grant as part of the Statewide Community Regrants program funded by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and managed by Flushing Town Hall and in part by funding through NYC Council Member Shekar Krishnan and DYCD.
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