30film #ACTION! 4th Annual Queens World Film Festival BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Action! The 4th Annual Queens World Film Festival, which brings international and local filmmakers to the borough to screen their works, celebrated its opening night on March 4, at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. Opening night featured three films from the United States and one from Kosovo, ranging from animation to short narratives. Borough President Melinda Katz, one of the night’s speakers, acknowledged that the festival was not only a great project for all the filmmakers and volunteers involved, but also helps brand the borough of Queens. “We are the most diverse place on the entire planet. We are extremely excited by this,” Katz said. “We are telling the international audience that we are here, we are strong. Diversity is the greatest asset that we can give the entire world here in the borough of Queens and this film festival proves it every day.” Organizers Katha and Don Cato, who were introduced by Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, welcomed the audience and described what the next five days would bring for the borough. “It’s an incredible opportunity for us and one we are very happy to share with everyone,” Katha said. Don encouraged the audience members to experience the films. “What I want you to experience is the unique opportunity that all of these films have and let them just wash over you,” he said. “Let them inform you, experience them, open yourselves up to them and enjoy them for what they are.” Before the first block of films was shown, the festival honored Carl Goodman, executive director of the Museum of the Moving Image, and independent filmmaker Hal Hartley as the 2014 “Spirit of Queens” honorees. The six-day festival went until March 10. The 127 films, which included short and feature narratives, LGBT pieces, documentaries and animation, were divided into subject blocks and shown at venues such as The Secret Theatre and The Nesva Hotel in Long Island City, and P.S. 69 in Jackson Heights. During the festival 16 films were screened from Queens filmmakers. The festival also screened the world premiere of the director’s cut of the Oscarnominated documentary “The Act of Killing” at P.S. 69. Films were also given awards on the final night of the festival. For more information on the festival and the films visit www.queensworldfilmfestival.com. The Queens World Film Festival celebrated its opening night at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. Photos by Angy Altamirano
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