Students participating in the afterschool nonprofit New York Edge’s film program put their skills on display at the fourth annual “Get Reel Film Festival” at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on March 18.
Elementary and middle school students from IS 109, the Jean Nuzzi School, in Queens Village; PS/IS 116, the William C. Hughley School, in the Bricktown section of Jamaica; and PS/MS 122, the Mamie Fay School, in Ditmars-Steinway, along with several other youths who go to educational institutions in the Bronx and Manhattan, learned storyboarding, camera techniques and editing, key elements of filmmaking, from the Woodside-based nonprofit.
The young scholars, who were in the program from October 2025 to early March, produced reels, short films, documentaries and dance videos, said a spokeswoman for NYE. The theme of this year’s festival was “The Art of Everyday: Finding Art All Around Us.”
Youths from PS/IS 116 worked on the short film “The Art of Kindness,” about how small acts of kindness impact a community.
Middle-schoolers from IS 109 worked together to put together their short film “Locker Chronicles,” which is a comedy about one student’s battle to get into her locker.
Students at the Mamie Fay School worked on “Mediums of Art through The Ages,” a reel using voiceover and visual artwork to share how art has always been a part of who we are before we even had a name for it.
“Seeing our students premiere their films and celebrate their hard work at our Annual Get Reel Film Festival at such a historic venue was inspiring,” said Michelle Durante, NYE’s director of art. “Their commitment to storytelling and creative expression truly shined through, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
The purpose of the film program is to help young people nurture their creativity and find their voice as they develop physical and emotional skills to thrive in the arts, said NYE.
There was a “Drip & Dazzle” runway show ahead of the film screening, which included students from PS/IS 295 in Queens Village, said the NYE spokeswoman.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony in which students from PS/IS 116 received the Master Storyteller Award.
“Every great film starts with a great story,” said NYE about PS/IS 116. “But this award is for the site that didn’t just have a story to tell — they brought it to life through authentic, heartfelt performances and stunning cinematography. The story, the acting, the visuals — all working together as one.”
Durante said that she was grateful for MoMI hosting the festival again.
“Opportunities like this are central in advancing our mission of providing enriching experiences for young people across New York City to explore their interests and develop confidence,” said Durante.