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:

4:00 pm: Vibrant Voices: Four Shorts

Join us for four vibrantly lit and colorful shorts that include thrillers, horror films, and comedies. Each uniquely uses light in an innovative way to emphasize tone and enhance the story. The films explore themes of friendships, neurodivergence, and puppetry. Followed by a discussion with filmmakers Jason Weissbrod, Samara Huckvale, Ben Stansbery, and Tal Anderson. Recommended for ages 13 and up.  

House of Masks  
Dirs. Atticus Jackson and Jason Weissbrod. 2024, 20 mins. With Atticus Jackson, Domonique Brown, Josh Ash Rose, Ann Postlewaite. This psychological thriller created by neurodivergent and autistic artists from Marvels of Media partner Spectrum Laboratory combines comedy and horror as it follows Jim's unraveling nightmarish experiences at a college Halloween party. New York premiere. Content warning: blood

420 Ways to Die (pictured above)
Dir. Samara Huckvale. 2024, 13 mins. With Kedeem Francis, Celia Rose, Ashlee Hughes, Elissia Harris, Martia Thomas, Anania. 420 Ways to Die gives “stoned to death” a new meaning as a neo-noir, anti-smoking mockumentary. The film showcases the untimely demise of three roommates in Bushwick. World premiere.

Insight
Dir. Ben Stansbery. 2024, 3 mins. A depressed puppet seeks guidance from an unusual source. But is the answer he discovers helpful or hindering? This surreal horror short, inspired by visionary director David Lynch, uses its uniquely strange premise to represent ideas of self-identity, masking, and the fear of change. Content warning: puppet body horror

Breaking Normal  
Dir. Jessica Cabot. 2024, 6 mins. With Tal Anderson, Anthony Purnell. In this story about accepting oneself and courage, two neurodivergent friends find a way to relieve their anxiety before interacting with the “real world.” This comedic short alludes to Breaking Bad in an unexpected, heartwarming way. New York 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.

6:00 pm: Lone Wolves

Location: Redstone Theater

With director Ryan Cunningham in person, and writer-actor Matt Foss joining virtually

Dir. Ryan Cunningham. 2024, 95 mins. With Cora Vander Broek, Matt Foss. Ryan Cunningham of Broad City directed this heartwarming romantic comedy that follows the experiences of being a single woman trying to build a family while grappling with grief. Fran enlists Ben, a high school friend she has not seen in 20 years, to be her sperm donor. She meticulously plans a stay in a hotel where the process of artificial insemination will take place. As they struggle, panic, and argue over the situation, the formerly estranged pair find themselves bearing their souls. New York premiere. Content warning: explicit material, suicidal ideation

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 film 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.