MyAstoria.com was present last Wednesday, 4-20, at Rapture Lounge for their second Independent Film Night. Rapture Lounge is a hip and relaxing bar and lounge located on the corner of 28th Ave. and 35th Street, increasingly becoming a destination for Astoria’s many creative residents. Adorned with original art on its walls by local area artists, its quaint, retro and lush interior, 42” plasma TV and wireless digital projector, Rapture is the perfect venue to host an event celebrating the creative spirit of Astoria.

If you missed out last Wednesday, no need to worry. Independent Film Nights will occur at Rapture every other Wednesday. And the next event is scheduled for May 4th. Admission is FREE. There is also an all night drink special of $5 Margaritas and $2 Tequilla shots. But get there early if you want a seat on one of their comfy couches.

Last Wednesday featured 3 short films, each of which varied in length and genre. First up was Losing your Cherry (10 min), by Jay Barba and Brian Farrelly, a humorous pseudo-educational video set in 1950’s America about sexual maturation (see title of film). Extremely original, this short flick fused 1950’s film clips with ‘informative’ narration by animated Hostess cupcakes, twinkies, etc.

Second in the line-up was a 30 minute short The Trust by Astoria-based production company (Headball Films - Todd Miller, Chance Pinnell, Max Casella, and Jared McQuown). Well directed and suspenseful, this dramatic thriller is a story -- shortened to 30 minutes from a feature-length screenplay of 90 minutes -- about the husband of a murdered journalist. The lead, played by Chance Pinnell, embarks on a journey to save his own life after he discovers that his slain wife had sent him important data uncovering the plot of her assassins. Shot in three locations - Detroit, Coney Island, and Astoria - The Trust was riveting and gritty and it didn’t hurt that a few scenes were shot on Steinway Street. It was a real crowd pleaser.

The third film, Cabin 6 (25 min), by Director Mike McCaffrey, was a well-directed character driven short about the powers of an upstate cabin. Trapped in this remote cabin in the woods, Dan and Barbara Williams struggle with the weather and their pending divorce. When Barbara discovers an old journal of previous visitor experiences, she and Dan vicariously relive many of their fondest memories and learn the love between them may only need to be rekindled.

“This is just the start”, said Roberto Mendoza, owner of Rapture Lounge. “We wanted to do something for the community. Astoria is becoming a place for culturally diverse creative people and I wanted Rapture to be a part of that.”

In order to continue to host these creative showcases, Rapture needs your submissions. If you are a film maker, or know any film makers based in Queens, and are looking for a free venue to showcase your work, then you may qualify for Independent Film Nights.

“The idea is to create a place for the collaboration between creative people in the area who are struggling and to give them an outlet for their work. Here we can work as a group” said Jakop, coordinator of Film Nights at Rapture. You can find him behind the bar Tues - Sat, perhaps serving up one of his famous margaritas.

To submit your short or feature-length indie film, mail your submission to:

Rapture Lounge
34-27 28th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11103

Or email Jakop at jakop@jakop.com.

Come down to Rapture and support our local Film Makers! Visit rapturelounge.com for more information.