See the world through the eyes of a person with autism.
Museum of the Moving Image hosts the Marvels of Media Festival from Thursday, March 27, to Saturday, March 29.
Now in its fourth year, this showcase celebrates autistic media-makers with 22 recently made films, discussions, workshops, and an exhibition featuring two VR experiences and five video games.
Admission to all events is free with RSVP.
Here’s the entire schedule.
March 27, 6:30 pm
Marvels of Media Festival Opening Night
Opening remarks by the founders and organizers kick off a short film program 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. Program followed by reception.(Pien stars in Amazon’s As We See It. She makes her directorial debut with Once More, Like Rain Man.)
Once More, Like Rain Man New York premiere
This 15-minute short presents a day in the life of autistic actress Zoe (Bella Zoe Martinez), who travels across Los Angeles for auditions only to keep running into the same stereotypical parts. With Martinez, Pien, Matt Jones, Sosie Bacon, Tal Anderson, and Joe Mantegna. Produced by Darren Dean.
Elegy for the Future East Coast premiere
Pien is a digital sex worker in this 14-minute futurist mindbender. She struggles to find meaning in an isolated world until she meets an AI bot created from a once living being. With Pien, Jordan Hull, Arden Lassalle, and Anna Mongeluzo. Christina Phensy is the director. Recommended for ages 13 and up.
March 28, 4 pm
Vibrant Voices: Four Shorts
Four shorts followed by a discussion with filmmakers Jason Weissbrod, Samara Huckvale, Ben Stansbery, and Tal Anderson. Recommended for ages 13 and up.
House of Masks New York premiere
This 20-minute psychological thriller combines comedy and horror as the protagonist unravels during a nightmarish college Halloween party. With Atticus Jackson, Domonique Brown, Josh Ash Rose, Ann Postlewaite. The directors are Jackson and Jason Weissbrod.
420 Ways to Die
This 13-minute anti-smoking mockumentary follows the untimely demise of three roommates in Bushwick. With Kedeem Francis, Celia Rose, Ashlee Hughes, Elissia Harris, Martia Thomas, Anania. Samara Huckvale is the director.
Insight
Only three minutes, this surreal horror short depicts a depressed puppet that seeks guidance from an unusual source. Ben Stansbery is the director.
Breaking Normal New York premiere
This six-minute comedy follows two neurodivergent friends who find a way to relieve their anxiety before interacting with the “real world.” With Tal Anderson and Anthony Purnell. Jessica Cabot is the director.
March 28, 6 pm
Lone Wolves New York premiere with director Ryan Cunningham in person and writer-actor Matt Foss via video
Relatively long at 95 minutes, this romantic comedy shares the experiences of being a single woman trying to build a family while grappling with grief. The protagonist enlists a high school friend she hasn’t seen in 20 years to be her sperm donor. She meticulously plans a stay in a hotel where the artificial insemination will take place. As they struggle, panic, and argue over the situation, the formerly estranged pair find themselves bearing their souls. With Cora Vander Broek and Matt Foss.
March 29, 1 pm
Playful Tales: Six Shorts
Crafted by autistic animators, these shorts offer lessons of creativity, perseverance, and accepting differences. A discussion with Harry Schad, Jacob Lenard, and Rae Xiang follows.
Secret of the Hunter
A young huntress, burdened with a hidden secret, tries to defend her new animal companion from an even larger threat in this seven-minute film that was written, developed, animated, edited, and composed by students, alumni, and faculty from the Animation Club at Exceptional Mind Academy, which prepares artists on the autism spectrum for careers in animation and the digital arts. Jessica Jerome is the director.
Wilson S. Whale
Wilson S. Whale is ridiculed by other whales because he spouts rainbow-colored sprinkles from his blowhole instead of water. One day, Wilson meets a lost fish named Guppy, and the two embark on an adventure to find Guppy’s family. Directed by Harry Schad, this four-minute piece teaches that anyone who feels different will find their true friends in the end.
Abelard the Traveling Hedgehog’s Underwater Adventure with Max the Turtle
Abelard the Hedgehog and Max the Turtle venture into the depths of a lake, searching for playful sea dragons. Through puppetry and do-it-yourself aesthetics, this whimsical, seven-minute short displays a world inspired by Jim Henson and Fred Rogers. The directors are Pete and Ambrose Peterman.
Joust My Luck
In this three-minute animated comedy, Sir Sammy and the Great Rodney of Snobb compete in a jousting match that recalls the slapstick, creativity, and wit of cartoon classics from Looney Tunes. Jacob Lenard is the director.
The Ugliest Masterpiece
A girl wants to make extraordinary drawings like her sister, yet she isn’t happy with the results. Using 3D animation, this one-minute piece thoughtfully represents Chinese-American family life with an important message of self-expression and confidence. Rae Xiang is the director.
Julius’ Identity Crisis
Only one minute long, this satirical short stars Julius the Cat, a public domain cartoon character and former pop culture icon, playfully exploring the ways a character can be shaped in different contexts. Brendan Ratner is the director.
March 29, 2:30 pm
Life Lessons: Four Shorts
These documentaries and narratives spotlight struggles and challenges that the disabled and neurodivergent communities face. Rather than focusing on tragedy, however, they emphasize the individual and collective work that can be done to improve their lives, along with the importance of acceptance from others and self-acceptance. A discussion with Violet Gallo and Carley Dummitt follows.
Unbreakable New York premiere
Mixing found footage with interviews, this 16-minute piece shares the true story of an orthopedic surgeon who, through faith and perseverance, pushed through barriers based on her gender, ethnicity, and disability. New York premiere. Alex Astrella is the director.
Glitter
A nerdy, autistic teen throws a Halloween party to reconnect with an old friend during this 15-minute film directed by Violet Gallo and Maya Velazquez. Instead, he’s met with micro-aggressions from their ableist guests. With Mandy Margot, Evie, Caroline Pastilha, and Carly Gendell.
Surviving the Spectrum World premiere
This 29-minute documentary explores the mental health struggles of autistic people in Oklahoma, highlighting the need for more research and advocacy. The filmmaker uses firsthand and secondhand accounts from autistic people across age and gender, a mother who lost her autistic son, and a psychiatrist. Carley Marissa Dummitt is the director.
Late-Diagnosed New York premiere
Matt often didn’t recognize himself in photos and never really understood why—until one day his loss of hearing helped him see more clearly. This four-minute educational video breaks down what living with auditory processing disorder can feel like, as well as the complicated feelings that come with this and other diagnoses. Matthew Baltar is the director.
All programs take place at MoMI, which is located at 36-01 35th Ave. in Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District.
The 2025 Marvels of Media Festival program was organized by MoMI’s Associate Curator of Public Programs Tiffany Joy Butler, MoMI’s Director of Education Leonardo Santana-Zubieta, Access Consultant Miranda Lee, Tour Consultant Sachar Mathias, and MoMI Intern Alex Poppe with a steering committee consisting of filmmaker and playwright Jackson Tucker-Meyer, Strokes of Genius President and Founder Rosa Martínez, and Film Event Accessibility Consultant and Producer Yaara Kedem. The 2025 Advisory Council includes media executive William J. Abbott; David & Goliath Founder and Chairman David Angelo; executive producer Rich Battista; neurodiversity advocate Wendy Belzberg; Franklin Pierce University President Peter Eden; media executive David Epstein; actor and director Tony Goldwyn; producer Brian Grazer; media entrepreneur John Hendricks; Jim Henson Foundation President Cheryl Henson; Pioneer Works Executive Director Mara Manus; media executive Judy McGrath; CableLabs CEO Phil McKinney; Sue Ann Pien; media executive Josh Sapan; journalist Paula Zahn; media entrepreneur Strauss Zelnick; and director Tony Spiridakis.
Marvels of Media partners include Exceptional Minds, Spectrum Laboratory, Tech Kids Unlimited, and Strokes of Genius. The initiative is made possible with major support from Sapan Studio, David Angelo / David & Goliath, and the Zelnick/Belzberg Charitable Trust.
Image: Nathan Anderson/Unsplash