Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema,

About the event

The Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema is a 501 (c) (3)  non-profit organization established to support the development, and help expand the audiences, of independent cinema from around the globe. The Film Festival was founded by three local independent filmmakers with a passion to get movies made, and to have those artistic voices heard. Understanding the struggle in today’s film environment in showcasing independent cinema, their aim is to establish a presence and awareness of cinematic creativity throughout Kew Gardens Queens and the neighboring communities.

Our first year brought 3000 visitors from around the world to Kew Gardens and the Queens Museum. 157 films were presented from as far as Australia and Japan along with locally produced films, and others from across the USA. 3 films acquired agency representation, while one actually received distribution! Naturally we are returning for a second year where we hope to bring attract more visitors and get more films distributed!

Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema has become influential in bringing the community together over a 10 day period consisting of film screenings and other activities related to the movie business. With encouraging Q&A's and industry panels we expect to broaden the appeal of Independent film and promote audience participation.
As a competitive festival, our program will consist of over 100 remarkable short and feature length films from all genres including often overlooked categories such as Documentary, Horror, Comedy, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Animation and Experimental. Each film will then be judged, in their respected categories, by our specially selected panel of industry professionals. Winners in each category will receive a statuette at our Grand Awards Gala on the final night of the festival.
Our Festival will be taking place exclusively in Kew Gardens Queens in NYC, USA. Our venue, THE KEW GARDENS CINEMAS is Queens' only art house theater dedicated solely to playing independent and foreign films. Named one of the top 7 theaters in Queens, the theater was built in the 1930's and it is one of the oldest movie theaters still operating in NYC.

A little known area of NYC, Kew Gardens and its surrounding neighborhoods - Forest Hills, Rego Park, Woodhaven and Glendale - are a major stomping ground for most television shows being shot today in New York. Not only is Kew Gardens known as the neighborhood that raised comedians Rodney Dangerfield and Ray Romano, but just a few minutes away is the recently built Broadway Stages. This area of Queens has now been featured in several blockbuster Hollywood films like The Babysitter, Goodfellas and Spiderman as well as major Network TV shows including- Daredevil, The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, The Get Down, Luke Cage and SNL.
We draw not only artists and filmmakers from around NYC but from all over the world. We are giving the residents of Kew Gardens and its neighboring communities Forest Hills, Rego Park and Woodhaven the opportunity to experience Hollywood in their own backyard.

Why should you sponsor?

As a 501 (c)(3),  Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema relies on the support of  sponsors and donators to help finance our operation.

Quickly becoming a staple film festival event in Queens NYC, with no other event of it's kind in the borough, people are taking notice and buzz is constantly growing, with a social media following of over 3000. Last year the festival received press and coverage from over 50 media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Time Out NY, The Huffington Post and NY1 News on Time Warner, in addition to every local news publications.

In 2017 we drew 3,500 visitors from all over the world. 250 international filmmakers, directors, and industry professionals participated, showcasing over 150 films, and presenting panels and special screenings which included discussions and Q&A. 

As a community staple, Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema holds a yearly Logo and Poster competition, from which our official poster is selected. Other winning designs are featured on festival merchandise. 

Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema aslo holds a yearly 5 week Filmmaker course to community students ages 13 - 21. 

Jayson Simba

As the founder and executive director of Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema, this festival was put together with passion and drive. As a filmmaker who has written, produced and directed 12 films, and has attended major festivals around the world, I set out to bring awareness to and establish Kew Gardens, the surrounding neighborhoods, and Queens in general, as an area not to be overlooked. 

Over the course of 8 months, with no experience in event organization, I was able to assemble a reliable and competant team that helped bring the festival to fruition. Working 24/7 to bring such and event to the community, I was able to secure over 25 sponsors.

With my hardwork and limited budget, I was not only able to bring business to the neighborhood and community, but I was able to bring recognition to Kew Gardens, by attracting 3000 visitors. All our sponsors were very happy with the results and have all agreed to be part of the festival again for this coming season. 

We have already caught the attention of bigger organizations such as SAG-AFTRA and the Queens Borough Presidents office, and hope to continue expanding. 

I made it my personal mission to continue growing the event until we are well known around, and viewed by the world as a major film festival. 

I hope what I have accomplished has convinced you to trust me, and that I can make this festival the event it is meant to be. 

Contact the Organizer Contact the Organizer