The Marvels of Media Festival kicks off with a festive opening night celebration recognizing the outstanding work of autistic media-makers. Throughout the weekend, guests are invited to explore exhibitions featuring virtual reality experiences, video games, and video art, as well as watch exciting, new comedies, animations, and documentaries followed by panel discussions. Audience members will have a chance to learn from professional filmmakers on the spectrum through a media workshop and networking mixer.

The free festival is part of the Museum's year-round Marvels of Media initiative, which showcases, celebrates, and supports autistic media-makers of all ages and skill sets. The third annual Marvels of Media Festival expands the Museum's accessibility efforts for autistic visitors through the creation of a sensory relief space in the Media Lab and sensory kits, which are available at the front desk.  

Schedule of Events:

6:30 pm: Marvels of Media Festival Opening Night

Location: Redstone Theater

Join us to celebrate the outstanding talents of award-winning actor-director Sue Ann Pien (As We See It) with the New York premieres of two short films: Once More, Like Rain Man and Elegy for the Future. The screenings will be followed by a discussion about autistic representation behind and in front of the camera with Sue Ann Pien, actress Bella Zoe Martinez, and director Christina Phensy moderated by filmmaker-playwright Jackson Tucker-Meyer, and preceded by remarks by founder of Marvels of Media Josh Sapan, MoMI's Executive Director Aziz Isham, MoMI's Director of Education Leonardo Santana-Zubieta, and Access Consultant Miranda Lee.   

Following the film presentation, guests are invited to the reception and opening of the Marvels of Media Exhibition featuring five experimental films, two virtual reality experiences, and five video games.

Once More, Like Rain Man  (pictured above)
Dir. Sue Ann Pien. 2024, 15 mins. With Bella Zoe Martinez, Matt Jones, Sue Ann Pien, Sosie Bacon, Tal Anderson, Joe Mantegna. Once More, Like Rain Man presents a “day in the life” of autistic actress Zoe (Martinez), who travels across Los Angeles for auditions only to keep running into the same stereotypical parts. Produced by Darren Dean (The Florida Project, Tangerine), Pien's directorial debut exposes the restraints of autistic casting and ableism in the film industry. East Coast premiere. Content warning: micro-aggressions, insults

Elegy for the Future  
Dir. Christina Phensy. 2024, 14 mins. With Sue Ann Pien, Jordan Hull, Arden Lassalle, Anna Mongeluzo. In an alternate technocratic future, digital sex worker Sybil (Pien) struggles to find meaning in an isolated world. Everything changes when she meets Ophelia, an AI created from a once living being. As Sybil navigates different levels of relationships among clients, friends, and a mysterious new lover, viewers are invited to question what it means to engage with a screen. East Coast premiere.

Free with RSVP.

Accessibility Information:
Location: Museum of the Moving Image is located at 36-01 35th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, NY 11106, and the film screening will happen in the Redstone Theater.  

Transportation by subway: Closest subway stations are the R at Steinway Street and N/W at 36 Ave. Please check with the MTA for any service changes, especially on weekends. For other ways of transportation, please see this page.  

Wheelchair Access: The Museum is fully accessible by wheelchair. In the Redstone theater, there is space for wheelchairs near the entrance and at the back of the theater.

Captions and American Sign Language (ASL): The film screening will have closed captions for the films and ASL interpretation for the introductions and panel discussions.

Sensory Relief Space and Sensory Kits: There will be a quiet sensory friendly space for anyone who needs to decompress, located on the first floor. At the Admissions Desk, ask for our sensory kits which include ear buds, stress balls, and fidget toys.