Celebrating Pride

#queensrising #filmfestival #queensworld #itsinqueens Doors open at 4pm; Screenings begin at 4:30; Reception and Q&A at 6:10pm Queens World has woven together a tapestry of stories from the LGBTQIA+ community that remind us that longing for understanding is present in all relationships and can awaken our hearts at any age. The program features 2019 Academy Award Nominated short film Margaurite featuring a woman in her 70’s who’s unfulfilled desires are a tender burden. Without Say by Neha Guatam takes us to the brink of commitment yet leaves us wondering what might have been. Break Up by AJ Mattioloi on the other hand, a Queer Musical with a Trans cast leaves little to wonder about as the characters make it clear that when things are over, they are over. Queens World Film Festival is turning 12 in November and the celebration has begun with this partnership with Flushing Town Hall to bring you a sampling of LGBTQIA+ short films from alumni and friends. Queens World is widely recognized for its curation and dedication to fiercely Indie Cinema. Regularly in the top 100 reviewed festivals on FilmFreeway.com and a 2021 member of the 50 Top Festivals in the World (MovieMaker Magazine) QWFF is excited to bring festival films to Flushing Break Up by AJ Mattioli (11 min) - a Queer Musical with a Trans cast about breaking up and getting over it. Without Say by Neha Guatam (6 min) - When a young girl finds a note under her desk and develops a connection with someone at her school, she must make a choice between unspoken obligations and the tenderness of love. Better Man by Amelia Mathews (8 min) - When a friendly game turns romantic, Eli is forced to choose between who he was and who he might become. Marguerite by Marianne Farley (20 min) - Marguerite, a diabetic woman in her seventies, is cared for by Rachel, her home health nurse. As Rachel becomes aware that Marguerite was never able to surrender to her heart's desire, she is moved to help her make peace with her past in a moment of unalloyed intimacy. Dress Code by Melanie Notinger (10 min) - Dani, an introverted undergrad, struggles to meet the challenge of a poetry assignment that asks her to be vulnerable and write an authentic poem that answers the prompt: "how do you identify?" Couple of Guys by Debra Markowitz (22 min) - A newly divorced attorney on the verge of coming out meets a flirtatious rocker in a record store. Stonewall: The Making of a Monument by Cheryl Furjanic (19 min) - This short documentary explores what more than half a century of LGBTQ history in the United States looks like when viewed through just a few blocks in New York City's Greenwich Village. We will start this screening the way we start all screenings which is to remind you that from the beginning of time, we have gathered in the darkened caves around the flickering lights to share our stories. We have upgraded the caves and the flickering lights are now zeros and one, but the impulse to gather remains vital to our very existence. Thank you for gathering around our filmmakers and welcome to Celebrating Pride at Flushing Town Hall. This program is made possible, in part, by funding through New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm, New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, the Department of Youth and Community Development and the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program (formerly the Decentralization program) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by Flushing Town Hall.