In light of the global health pandemic, the 10th Annual Queens World Film Festival will open Thursday, March 19, on DISCOVERED.TV, screening 220 films from 32 nations.

Opening Night, presented by Investors Bank, began at 7pm (EST) on Thursday, March 19, at discovered.tv/QWFF. The Opening Night Block is called “Tales of Connectedness” and features six shorts from Iran to Brooklyn that demonstrate that humans are interconnected whether we like it or not—a timely and poignant message amplified by the current situation.

After reviewing almost 800 films entered from 61 nations, QWFF programmers selected 220 remarkable works from 32 nations. This includes 43 pieces by Asian filmmakers, 84 by women, 24 from Queens, 26 from Brooklyn, and 10 by children in QWFF’s education program. The festival is programmed thematically in blocks, grouping complimentary films together for a specific cinematic experience. Block titles include “Women’s Voices,” “Twisted Love Stories,” and “Kid’s Corner” with three segments dedicated to LGBTQA issues.

“We selected 200+ incredible films. We literally have something for everyone,” QWFF Artistic Director Don Cato explained. “Expect to be delighted by cinematic treasures presented in thematic blocks from filmmakers residing from all over the globe—yet all engaged in similar conversations.”

“From the beginning of time, humans have gathered together around the flickering lights in our darkened caves to share our stories. Although the flickering lights have become zeros and ones, we’ve changed the nature of our caves, but the impulse to gather endures,” stated QWFF Executive Director Katha Cato. “In these times of crisis, it is even more important that we gather around the humanity provided in film. We are grateful to DISCOVERED.TV for providing its free online platform to make our film screenings possible and for making the 10th Annual Queens World Film Festival the first International Film Festival to screen on their site.”

“We developed DISCOVERED.TV to give creators a global alternative distribution source for Music, Film and TV,” added Co-Founder Charles Pankey. “We are delighted to launch the DISCOVERED Film Festival channel with the Queens World Film Festival in way that enables them to celebrate their 10th Anniversary through our platform. This pioneering effort will set a new standard for film festivals worldwide.”

In addition to the annual festival, QWFF offers year-round screening opportunities for alumni, special events to bring the Indie film community together, industry networking events, and an educational initiative for youth and seniors.

“QWFF is committed to making sure both creative expression and a passion for truth is alive and well,” Katha Cato stated. “This is a tough time on and for our planet. Now is the time hold up a mirror to show us who we are, what we have done, and who we could be.”

QWFF sponsors include Investors Bank, Kaufman Astoria Studios, Queens Council on the Arts, Queens Economic Development Corporation, I Love NY, and Resorts World Casino New York City with several Queens hotels offering discounts to visiting filmmakers and their guests.

Media sponsors include Schneps Communication, QPTV, and Queens Chronicle. QWFF is made possible in part with funds from the Decentralization Program, a re-grant program at the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Both are administered by the Queens Council on the Arts.

QWFF is a program of the Queens World Film Initiative Inc., a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization.