Astoria’s Museum of the Moving Image screened today as the NYC Indie Film Night drew 1,500. Over 10 shorts—a Bronx director’s subway tale won $2K; X hit 8,000 posts. Tickets at $15 sold out; $5 popcorn sold 300. A Q&A—200 asked; 73°F night buzzed. NYC’s cinema—Queens shines.
Curator Ayo Jones, 41, picked 5 directors—her intro drew claps. Winner Zara Lee’s 10-minute film—grit raw—stunned 400; her speech moved. Pop-up VR booths—100 tried; kids gasped. New projectors—crisp frames—lit screen. Museum’s vibe—NYC’s film heart.
It’s not perfect—late start; tech lagged 10 minutes. Seats tight—knees bumped. rows. Still, 10 shorts, 1,500 eyes—night’s a hit. Post-screen, 30th Avenue buzzed—film talk flowed. Monthly now—NYC reels.
Jones’s 41—film star? Lee’s 33—vision rises. Astoria watched; NYC glowed. Film Night—reel on.
