Matthew Carlson, Amanda Barker, Manny Gomez (L-R)
April 8, 2016 By Michael Florio
Sunnyside will play host to a film festival this summer.
Two residents are putting together their first festival that will run on the weekend of July 15th through 17th. It will be called the Boulevard Film Festival and feature the work of Queens filmmakers.
Amanda Barker, who has lived in Sunnyside for the past five years, is co-organizing the event and said she wants to showcase the work of Queens residents.
“I’ve always thought why don’t we have more events for filmmakers here,” she said.
The films will be screened at venues throughout Sunnyside.
Barker, who is putting the festival together with her fiancé Matthew Carlson, thought about the concept of a festival soon after Sunnyside Center Cinemas closed.
“It was a big loss to the community,” she said. “It was really sad when it closed because a lot of people went there.”
The screenings will be held at different Sunnyside venues, such as opening night at Thalia Spanish Theatre. Other venues include Bar 43, The Dog and Duck, and Claret Wine Bar. She is looking to add more venues.
“We are doing this for the love of film and the love of Sunnyside,” she said.
Ticket prices have yet to be determined.
Barker began accepting submissions for the festival this week. Short films (less than 45 minutes) of any genre can be submitted as long as they have been made in the past five years, she said.
Those who are interested in submitting can visit boulevardfilmfestival.org or email boulevardfilmfestival@gmail.com. The deadline to submit is May 31st. There is no submission fee.
Barker and Carlson have teamed up with members of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce and Sunnyside Artists to organize the film festival.
