A salon, in the old French sense, is a gathering of curious people around an idea — guided by someone (or several someones) who know the idea or topic deeply, open to wherever the conversation leads.
That’s exactly what we had in mind.
Throughout the year, Astoria Picture Show hosts salons on a wide range of subjects: the craft of screenwriting, the ethics of the documentary, the strange genius of a director you haven’t heard of yet, the way a single scene can change how you see the world. Sometimes we screen clips or works in progress. Sometimes we just talk. Sometimes we play film trivia and argue about whether Chinatown holds up (it does).
The format varies. The company is always good.
What to Expect:
Salons are intentionally informal and designed to invite real participation — not lectures, not panels with name placards, but genuine exchange. Each event is led by a subject matter expert, filmmaker, critic, or educator with something substantive to say and the curiosity to hear what you think, too.
Depending on the evening, a salon might include:
- A screening of short films, clips, or works in progress — followed by discussion
- A focused conversation on craft, history, or the business of filmmaking
- A deep dive into a single film, filmmaker, or movement
- Film trivia and games for the film-obsessed
All of it happens in Astoria, which turns out to be a surprisingly good place to think about movies.
Who They’re For:
Filmmakers. Film lovers. People who watch the credits. People who want to understand why certain movies stick with them. People who are just starting to get serious about cinema. People who have been serious about it for decades and want a room that keeps up.
If you find yourself pausing a film to explain something to whoever you’re watching it with — you’re probably our kind of person.
