irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0Bootcamps: Bringing equipment into schools, youthcenters, community centers or colleges and- asking the participants to collaborate on creating a short film- whether it is a 90 second PSA or a 16 minute advocacy film about the power of arts programming- to transform the lives of those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system - is transformative. QWFI partners with multiple partners to bring this immersive, fast paced experience to their clients. Partners include Renaissance Charter School, The Fortune Society, HARTS High School, and Venture House
- #2 $0Screenings and Media Centric Community Events :In the summer months, NYC is pulsing with outdoor events from parks to beaches- to closed streets to public spaces.QWFI is adept at taking advantage of those opportunities with the Selfi-Situation where everyone grabs a costume hat or an oversized pop and creates a very unique family memories with outrageous pics snapped on- the emerald carpet.After dark QWFI often partners with community organizations to screen films under the stars. Several times a year QWFI will provide unique professional development opportunities like The Filmmakers Breakfast, Passion in Action, Film Festival Fusion, or How to Fest. These opportunities can take place virtually or live, they can be stand alone experiences or part of festivals and celebrations with partners.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Bootcamps
Immersive filmmaking programs conducted in schools, youth centers, and community organizations where participants collaborate to create short films, such as PSAs or advocacy films, often focused on social issues like criminal justice reform.
Juneteenth Event: Sovereign Creators Panel
Annual virtual panel discussion honoring Juneteenth, focusing on Black filmmakers' experiences and cultural sovereignty in the Eurocentric film industry, moderated by a QWFI board member.
Professional Development Opportunities
Events such as The Filmmaker's Breakfast, Passion in Action, Film Festival Fusion, and How to Fest that provide networking and skill-building for filmmakers, held live or virtually.
Queens World Screening Events
Community film screenings featuring works by independent filmmakers and local artisans, often followed by panel discussions; events held at venues like Kaufman Astoria Studios and public spaces.
Selfi-Situation and Outdoor Screenings
Interactive community events during summer months featuring costume-based photo opportunities on the "emerald carpet" and outdoor film screenings under the stars in parks and public spaces.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 2 activities
- Hosts screening events and panel discussions on cultural preservation and creative identityOrganizes in-person and virtual events that showcase short films on cultural themes—such as New York City artisans or Black filmmakers—and include panel discussions on cultural sovereignty, creative identity, and preserving traditions to inspire future generations of artists.
- Organizes outdoor film screenings and media-centric community eventsProduces outdoor film screenings and community-focused media events across NYC public spaces, featuring interactive experiences like the "emerald carpet" photo installations and professional development opportunities such as The Filmmakers Breakfast and Film Festival Fusion.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Conducts film bootcamps in schools and community centersOffers hands-on film bootcamps where participants create short films, including public service announcements and advocacy films, with a focus on themes such as the impact of arts programming on individuals affected by the criminal justice system.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$69K
Contributions & grants$59K85%
Program service revenue$10K15%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$56K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$33K
Cash$33K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$33K
Liquid reserves7.0 mo
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue -44.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katha Cato | President,Cofounder & Executive Director | 50 | $6K |
| Don Cato | Co-Founder & Artistic Director | 15 | $3K |
board members · 7
- Anuz Thapa — Co-Dir,Communications
- Cordelia Persen — Secretary
- Dora Naughton — Dir,Special events
- Mark Banish — Treasurer
- Montaigne P Massac — Co-Dir,Communications
- Sandra Schulberg — Dir,Industry events
- Susy Chu — Board Member
relationships · 5
Who they work with
- HARTS High School Partner — Partner organization collaborating with QWFI to deliver film bootcamps to students.
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice Partner — Academic institution whose student participated in the production of a segment for "The Listening Tour" featured at a QWFI screening event.
- Renaissance Charter School Partner — Partner organization collaborating with QWFI to deliver film bootcamps to students.
- The Fortune Society Partner — Partner organization collaborating with QWFI to deliver film bootcamps to clients impacted by the criminal justice system.
- Venture House Partner — Partner organization collaborating with QWFI to deliver film bootcamps to clients.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Mobile Filmmaking Bootcamp for Collaborative Learning 28 orgsmethodology: mobile_filmmaking_bootcampBy bringing filmmaking equipment and instruction directly into community institutions, the organization enables collaborative short film creation as a transformative educational practice because hands-on, place-based access to tools and training fosters inclusion, creativity, and empowerment among underserved populations.shared approach: Youth-Adult Co-Creation →
- Community-Engaged Film Educationmethodology: community-engaged_film_educationBy combining screenings in traditional and alternative venues with educational programming, the organization fosters public participation in independent cinema because it lowers barriers to access and empowers diverse groups to create their own media, thereby deepening engagement with film as a participatory art form.