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Queens World Film Fest brings some favorites back to borough screens

Queens World Film Fest brings some favorites back to borough screens
Courtesy QWFF
By Merle Exit

The Queens World Film Festival is celebrating six years of bringing the best of both local and international filmmaking to borough screens. Katha Cato, QWFF president, said its schedule of free summer encore screenings, which runs through the rest of the summer, has something for everyone—and something from just about everywhere.

In locations from Kissena Park to Hunters Point Park in Long Island City to Sgt. Collins Park in Woodside, QWFF is treating Queens audiences to short and feature-length films from China, Bangladesh, Spain, Indonesia, France and Ireland, as well as such closer-to-home locales as Flushing, Woodside, Jackson Heights and Astoria.

And if you (or your kids) are itching to get creative rather than just sitting in front of the screen, that’s on the program as well. On July 24, from noon to 4 p.m., QWFF Animation Stations at the Queens Hall of Science will offer participants the chance to learn how to build a bug and then animate it, possibly setting a new generation of Spielbergs in motion.

Upcoming programming includes evenings of Spanish-language films and works by Asian filmmakers from Queens, as well as international films that take a look at inclusivity and remind viewers that “Love is Love is Love,” Kato said.

“We are quite proud that of the 56 films to be presented,” she said. “Twenty-two are from Queens and 15 are by women, nine are by Asian filmmakers and 16 are by Latino filmmakers.”

QWFF is partnering with Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, Queensboro Hill Neighborhood Association, Ltd. and the Northern Woodside Coalition to present local and international indie films of all types.

The film programs are being organized according to what the QWFF is calling “blocks,” groups of movies arranged by such criteria as general topics or countries of origin. This summer’s blocks include “Slices of Life from Flushing to Mumbai,” “Inclusive Love Stories” and “Spanish Voices.”

“We are also screening Dan Hendrick’s ‘Saving Jamaica Bay’ and will be coordinating with the Audubon Society to raise awareness of this wonderful natural treasure right in our own backyard,” Kato said.

Kato added that QWFF aims to make the filmgoing experience an inclusive one for audiences, festival volunteers and the filmmakers themselves. That inclusivity is also seen in the films themselves. “Most are PG-13, some have a little rough language and some have an occasional F bomb. Just like life,” she said.

Here is what’s on the lineup

SGT. COLLINS PARK

(Broadway at 58th Street)

July 15—“International Animated Films,” a group of clever, quirky and edgy animated films from around the world

July 22— “Love is Messy,” glimpses of how love can make us our own worst enemies

July 29— “Inclusive Love Stories,” films that take a look at love in all its forms

Aug. 5— “Fathers and Daughters and Sons,” a look at how hard it is to let your kids grow up

Aug. 12 —“New York Stories,” on the many complicated lives of New Yorkers

HUNTERS POINT PARK

(Center Boulevard and 48th Avenue)

QWFF partners with Hunters Point Park Conservancy to present short film before each evening’s feature.

Aug. 11—“BeYoutiful” (before “August Rush”)

Aug. 25—“Dramoticon” (before “Zootopia”)

Sept. 9—“Zugzwang” (before “Ghost”)

KISSENA PARK

(Main Street and Elder Avenue)

July 21—Alvin Tsang’s “Reunification,” a film that looks at a family’s immigration to Los Angeles from Hong Kong

July 28—“Spanish Visions,” a program of nine short films from Spain, Cuba, the U.S. and Brazil

Aug. 4—“Slices of Life from Flushing to Mumbai,” films that offer glimpses of life around the world

Aug. 11—“H.O.M.E.,” a feature film that weaves together several stories inspired by true events

Aug. 18—“Modern Ruin: A World’s Pavilion,” a documentary about The New York State Pavilion in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Aug. 25—“Saving Jamaica Bay,” a look at the challenges involved in making that Jamaica Bay remains a vibrant natural habitat

For showtimes and more information, go to www.queensworldfilmfestival.com/events