Courtesy Astoria Film Club
By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
The Astoria Filmmakers Club, a non-profit dedicated to fostering creativity and community among aspiring filmmakers in New York City, is gearing up for two exciting events this month that promise to engage both local residents and a growing global network of filmmakers.
On January 24th, the club will host a clothing drive to benefit Helpsy, an organization that collects gently used clothes to divert waste from landfills. The event will take place at Mayahuel, a popular venue at 32-07 34th Avenue in Astoria, starting at 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations to support this eco-friendly initiative.
“In a manner of speaking, the club, it’s very similar to a chamber of commerce, but it’s exclusive for filmmakers in the industry,” Phil Cappadora, the founder of the Astoria Filmmakers Club said. “It helps with legitimacy, seeing who’s who, and it’s almost actually an incubator for creating original content.”
The Astoria Filmmakers Club, which launched in 2019, has evolved from informal mixers and meetups into a dynamic platform for filmmakers in New York City and beyond. Since earning its 501(c)(3) status during the pandemic, the club has grown to over 1,000 members from all five boroughs and surrounding areas, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and even the United Kingdom and Brazil.
In addition to its community-building efforts, the club will showcase the talents of local filmmakers during the Third Annual Triborough Film Festival on January 25th, 2025. The festival will be held at the Zukor Theater at Kaufman Astoria Studios, an iconic venue that has long supported independent film production.
Cappadora described the festival as “the battle of the boroughs,” where filmmakers from across New York City can present their work and gain recognition within the local community.
“Basically, what that is, it’s a showcasing platform for all the filmmakers in New York City to present their work and pretty much show everybody in the Astoria filmmakers club, who was actually a really good filmmaker, and after that, there’s opportunity for collaboration on the next film,” Cappadora said.
Now in its third year, the Triborough Film Festival has become a key event for filmmakers to gain exposure and possibly secure opportunities for collaboration. The festival’s submissions have grown each year, drawing filmmakers from outside the city, including international entries from places as far as the United Kingdom and Mexico.
“There’s absolutely no formula of breaking into Hollywood because, you know, it’s a little bit more of an illusion,” Cappadora said. “Hollywood, technically doesn’t exist. The people with the skills they do exist, but the Hollywood idea that’s that’s fictitious, it’s not real. It is an art form, absolutely. It is a business, absolutely. But with the Astoria filmmakers club, it’s also a ministry.”
The Astoria Filmmakers Club functions as both a community and an incubator for independent film production. Members benefit from regular meetups, workshops, and networking opportunities, as well as the chance to pitch projects and collaborate on films. One of the club’s signature initiatives is the Triboro Film Festival, which provides a platform for emerging filmmakers to screen their work, share their experiences, and meet potential collaborators.
The club’s unique model fosters the development of original content, offering opportunities for filmmakers to grow their skills and build a support system for future projects.
One of the club’s key goals is to bridge the gap between aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals. Through events like the Triborough Film Festival, filmmakers have the chance to network with peers, share resources, and receive constructive feedback on their work. Cappadora emphasized that the festival plays an essential role in helping filmmakers gain credibility and expand their reach.
The club’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond filmmaking itself. In addition to the clothing drive, the organization has adopted environmentally conscious practices to reduce waste and promote green filmmaking.
“People should come to the Triboro Film Festival, because, just as the men and women who created these stories had a story to tell the viewer, the members of the audience, they equally have a story to tell,” Cappadora said.
The Triborough Film Festival will feature a diverse lineup of films, ranging from short documentaries to narrative features, showcasing the work of filmmakers who represent the city’s vibrant creative community. Tickets for the festival are now available, with all proceeds supporting the ongoing work of the Astoria Filmmakers Club.
The Astoria Film Club is making it easier than ever to access information about their upcoming film festival. Interested readers can get the festival link directly on their phones by saving the Club’s hotline number, 646-281-2810, and sending a text message with the code FESTIVAL or AFC. For additional details, the Club can also be reached via email at AFC.moreinfo@gmail.com. Don’t miss the chance to connect with Astoria’s thriving film community and explore all the festival has to offer.
