Astoria Film Festival
Astoria Film Festival Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization and an official NYC DOE VENDOR, founded by an Astoria-born First-Gen Neurodivergent woman with a background in media production and education.
The Astoria Film Festival blends film screenings with educational and career development programs to support local talent and provide a platform for emerging filmmakers. Each year, the festival showcases work from both local and international creators.
AFFEd offers media education workshops - created by Harvard Education specialists and vetted by Industry Professionals - for youth, for adults, and intergenerational workshops for families and for youth and seniors. There are also internships for high school students with the festival and with industry partners, and workshops for young professionals that include hands-on training with industry professionals. AFFEd also offers PD workshops, family engagement activities, and assembly activities.
Young filmmakers are hired as AFFEd instructors and as videographers and editors for AFFStudio, where they are paid as they train in video production and social media management opportunities that build real-world experience. The majority of our staff were previously our interns, Lab Fellows, and Youth Festival Filmmakers.
Film Education
Astoria Film Festival provides Film/Media Production Education for ages 8-adult and Workforce Exploration and Development Programs for ages16-30
We offer Film/Media Production Workshops in schools, after schools, high schools, colleges, and community centers, guiding participants through the film production process from pitch to premiere.
Our Internships and Media Labs support Early Career Filmmakers who are trained and paid to work as Instructors for AFFEducation and/or as content creators for AFFStudio. This year, AFFStudio has created content for KEPYR, Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens and its various schools, Ditmars Merchants Association, Communidad Latinx, and the Queensborough President’s Office. AFFStudio also creates educational and promotional content for the Astoria Film Festival social platforms.
Our curricula is developed by Harvard and Vassar education specialists and vetted by industry professionals. Workshops are taught by our Instructors, who are our former students, Interns, and Lab Fellows. We currently hold workshops with:
PS166Q PS84Q Q300 MS HS of Art & Design - Animation and Film Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens
PS122Q PS234Q PS212Q Astoria Houses Youth Enrichment Services DREAM HS (BX) ACTVF HS (LIC)
If you’re interested in having Astoria Film Festival as part of your school/after school/community center, please email astoriafilmfestival @ gmail.com

