BP LEE ANNOUNCES “FREE WEDNESDAY MOVIE NIGHTS” AT THE 2020 QUEENS DRIVE-IN

Family-Friendly Films in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Pre-Registration Required, Social Distancing Enforced

August 19 – September 30

(August 13, 2020 at 10:15am)

QUEENS, NY – A Queens native’s box office blockbuster, classic kids flicks and the timely tale of a civil rights icon are just some of the films to be enjoyed by Queens families this socially distant summer at Acting Borough President Sharon Lee’s “Free Wednesday Movie Nights at the 2020 Queens Drive-In” — a series of seven free, drive-in film screenings on the grounds of the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

“It certainly has been an unusual New York summer without concerts and other large-scale events at our beloved city parks, like the ‘Only in Queens Summer Festival’ in prior years,” said Borough President LEE. “Together with key partners, we’re delighted to bring this series of free movie nights at the 2020 Queens Drive-In as a fun throwback for the Borough of Families, while prioritizing safety in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.”

Esta serie de proyecciones gratuitas en Queens, que forma parte de un festival de cine en autocine más amplio y completo, se celebrará durante siete miércoles consecutivos, comenzando el 19 de agosto con la proyección de "John Lewis: Good Trouble", un documental recién estrenado que relata la vida del Honorable John Lewis, campeón de los derechos civiles y miembro del Congreso durante muchos años, fallecido el mes pasado.

Las noches de cine gratuitas en Queens se presentan en orgullosa colaboración con NYC Parks, el Contralor de la Ciudad de Nueva York, Rooftop Films, el New York Hall of Science, el Museum of the Moving Image y el Queens Night Market. 

“New Yorkers have worked hard to flatten the curve, and now it’s important to create opportunities for families and friends to enjoy these summer months together from a safe distance,” said New York City Comptroller SCOTT M. STRINGER. “I applaud Queens Borough President Lee for bringing this film series to Corona, and I’m proud to work alongside our partners to bring the community together, offer enriching cultural experiences, and ensure New Yorkers can still enjoy all that our beautiful city has to offer.”

“Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a vibrant community hub that offers a welcoming escape from stress and anxiety,” said NYC Parks Commissioner MITCHELL J. SILVER, FAICP. “We’re proud to host this exciting film series for Queens residents and families to enjoy. Special thanks to our partners for their commitment to prioritizing safety and bringing a new summertime tradition to this historic park.”

El programa de "Noches de cine gratuitas de los miércoles en el Autocine 2020 de Queens" incluye una mezcla ecléctica de grandes éxitos, nuevos estrenos, películas infantiles populares y fantásticas favoritas para que disfruten todas las familias de Queens. Antes de cada película principal se proyectará una serie de cortometrajes, algunos producidos por cineastas locales.

Se aplicará estrictamente el distanciamiento social, y no se permitirá la entrada a los invitados que lleguen a pie ni a los que no se hayan inscrito previamente.

El espacio es limitado con una capacidad de aproximadamente 200 vehículos. Se requiere una preinscripción para cada proyección de las "Noches de cine gratuitas de los miércoles en el autocine de Queens 2020", y se abre dos semanas antes de cada proyección a través de www.queensdrivein.com. Tras la inscripción, los invitados recibirán una confirmación, que deberán presentar mediante una copia impresa o un dispositivo móvil a su llegada. 

El horario completo de las "Noches de cine gratuitas de los miércoles en el autocine de Queens 2020" es el siguiente:

Las "Noches de cine gratuitas de los miércoles en el autocine de Queens 2020" -con una pantalla de 18 metros construida en el aparcamiento del NYSCI- se abrirán a los asistentes previamente registrados a las 19:30 horas, una hora antes de que comiencen las proyecciones de películas a las 20:30 horas. El horario exacto está sujeto a cambios, y las proyecciones de películas se llevarán a cabo llueva o haga sol.

La comida y las bebidas se podrán comprar sin contacto a través de los vendedores que participan en el mercado nocturno de Queens, que se celebra anualmente en el aparcamiento del NYSCI en Flushing Meadows Corona Park, pero que actualmente se ha pospuesto debido a la pandemia de COVID-19. La comida y las bebidas pueden adquirirse mediante pedidos sin contacto durante la programación previa al espectáculo o a través de los vendedores del estadio que recorren el recinto antes de la función principal.

El Fondo de Mejora del Parque de Flushing Meadows Corona, sin ánimo de lucro, supervisado conjuntamente por el presidente del distrito Lee, el comisario Silver y el interventor Stringer, ha aportado 70.000 dólares para financiar las "Noches de cine gratuitas de los miércoles en el autocine de Queens 2020".

“We are proud to be able to continue our mission of providing accessible entertainment for all New Yorkers,” said Rooftop Films Artistic Director DAN NUXOLL. “We are deeply grateful for the support of the office of the Queens Borough President as it enables Rooftop Films, MOMI and NYSCI to offer opportunities for local families to safely come together this summer.”

“The New York Hall of Science, the Museum of the Moving Image, and Rooftop Films are honored to be launching the Queens Drive-In in collaboration with the Queens Borough President, and with the enthusiastic support of so many in the Queens community who work to ensure that arts and culture is available and accessible to everyone,” said New York Hall of Science President and CEO MARGARET HONEY. “It is our hope that the drive-in will be a source of fun and joy for everyone in Queens”

“With the Queens Drive-In, we at MoMI are pleased to do our part in helping to rejuvenate our borough: putting people back to work, bolstering economic activity, celebrating the heroic resilience of this diverse community and providing families with the opportunity to have a safe and enjoyable night out,” said Museum of the Moving Image Executive Director CARL GOODMAN. “Many thanks to the Acting Borough President, our partners, and those cultural organizations throughout the Park and the City for enhancing our lives under these challenging circumstances.”

“We know that an unprecedented number of New York City businesses have closed or will close as a direct result of this pandemic, so we’re always looking for opportunities to help our vendors stay afloat during these challenging times,” said Queens Night Market Founder JOHN WANG. “Our Fuel the Frontlines initiative with Borough President Lee earlier this year was a fantastic success for a really great cause, and we’re delighted to partner again with the Borough President and with our usual host, the New York Hall of Science, for this drive-in movie series. Great food along with great film!”

Brief descriptions of the featured films are below. For more information, go to www.queensbp.org/queensdrivein.

Sobre "La despedida" (2019)

PG | 1h 40min | Drama/Comedia-drama | Subtítulos: Inglés

Una narración cómica y sentida protagonizada por Awkwafina, oriunda de Queens, en el papel de Billi Wang, "La despedida" se sumerge en la importancia de la familia explorando hasta dónde están dispuestos a llegar Billi y sus parientes para proteger y celebrar a un ser querido.

About “Iron Man” (2008)

PG-13 | 2h 6min | Action/Sci-fi

Directed by famed filmmaker and Queens native Jon Favreau, “Iron Man” follows the eponymous Marvel superhero, played by Robert Downey, Jr. a genius defense contractor and creator of an ultrapowerful suit of armor who must use his newfound abilities to unravel an insidious plot against him.

About “John Lewis: Good Trouble” (2020)

PG | 1h 36min | Documentary

Released last month, this Dawn Porter-directed documentary chronicles the life and legacy of The Honorable John Lewis, one of the most prominent leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and later a longtime member of Congress representing Georgia’s 5th District until his death on July 17. The film explores Lewis’ upbringing and storied career through rare footage and interviews with Lewis, his family, political leaders and other prominent figures.

About “The Lunchbox” (2013)

PG | 1h 45min | Romance/Drama | Subtitles: English

Nimrat Kaur stars as Ila, a married woman who accidentally strikes up a friendship through Mumbai’s famous lunchbox delivery system with a retiring widower, portrayed by Irrfan Khan, in this critically acclaimed 2013 Hindi romance film written and directed by Ritesh Batra.

About “Men In Black” (1997)

PG-13 | 1h 53min | Sci/fi

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones star as Agent J and Agent K, members of the secretive “Men in Black” government agency tasked with helping police extraterrestrials on Earth. Their mission to save the galaxy culminates at one of Queens’ most iconic settings, which itself hides a shocking secret.

Sobre "Up" (2009)

PG | 1h 36min | Animación, Aventura, Comedia

Nominada a la mejor película en los premios de la Academia de 2010, esta aventura animada sigue al anciano viudo Carl Fredricksen cuando parte hacia Sudamérica atando miles de globos a su casa. Pero con un joven explorador llamado Russell a bordo como polizón accidental, se producen hilaridades conmovedoras.

About “WALL-E” (2008)

G | 1h 43min | Animation/Family

This beloved animated film explores pressing themes like environmentalism and climate change through the eyes of WALL-E, a solitary trash-compacting robot roaming a post-apocalyptic Earth devoid of human life. But with the discovery of a single plant comes hope for the future of this barren garbage-strewn wasteland.

Siga la Oficina del Presidente del Distrito de Queens a través de @QueensBP2020 en Twitter, Facebook e Instagram

###