MoMI’s Marvels of Media Festival, Celebrating Autistic Media-makers, Announces Fifth Annual Edition

Astoria, NY (March 19, 2026)

This year, the festival is also expanding its network of theater partners, bringing the total to eight venues across the country. The main festival kicks off with an opening night celebration on Thursday, March 26, featuring a program of new short films, a festive reception with food and drink, and an exhibition viewing, featuring special guests including Celebrity Ambassador Dani Bowman (Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum) and autistic filmmaker and disability advocate Jackson Tucker-Meyer as host. Additional notables include Josh Sapan, MoMI Trustee, Founder of Marvels of Media and Sapan Studio, and former CEO of AMC Networks for 25 years, where he greenlit landmark series including Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Walking Dead, and Mad Men; and Miranda Lee, Festival Programmer. In addition to the principals listed above, Autistic Barbie will make a special appearance on the carpet, a celebratory nod to neurodiversity.

The festival continues through Saturday, March 28, with admission to all Marvels of Media screenings and events free with RSVP.

The fifth annual edition of the Marvels of Media Festival invites audiences to discover a diverse selection of 28 new films, a video game, and a virtual reality experience. Festival programming highlights include:

• Opening Night Block, featuring the horror comedy Don’t Look Out with Tal Anderson (The Pitt, Atypical), a Marvels of Media alum; the animated short Too Many Options by Jacob Lenard; and Keith, a multimedia project by award-winning experimental filmmaker and Marvels of Media alum Steven Fraser.
• Two feature films, Autistic Mode – Dreamcatchers by Bob Clark, an anime-inspired work exploring the dangers of advanced technology and eugenics, and Preface to a History by Devan Scott, an avant-garde film about a couple struggling with their relationship, mental health, and feelings of smallness in an unstable world.
• Family Program Block, featuring four family-friendly animated shorts created by autistic media makers, with stories about friendship, communication, and accepting differences. The program includes Watch Your Tone by Dylan Carbonell, a student of Exceptional Minds.
• DaniMation Program Block, presents films from Dani Bowman’s DaniMation Studios, including shorts created by her students as well as animated modules commissioned by Stanford University. The program celebrates five comedic and educational shorts created by Bowman and the talented autistic and neurodivergent students of DaniMation Studios.

“Over the past five years, Marvels of Media has grown into a powerful platform for autistic storytellers whose creativity, insight, and originality are reshaping how we experience film and media,” said Josh Sapan, MoMI trustee and founder of Marvels of Media and Sapan Studio. “This festival has become a movement that is expanding beyond NYC with theaters and cultural organizations across the country joining us in celebrating and sharing these remarkable voices.”

Through an initiative launched in 2024, theaters nationwide have joined Marvels of Media to help expand audiences for the work of autistic media makers. Partner theaters screen customizable film programs and/or a promotional showcase reel, with all materials and support provided by the Museum, resulting in nearly double the participation this year.

Participating theater partners for 2026 include: North Fork Arts (Greenport, New York); Jacob Burns Film Center (Pleasantville, New York); Byrd Theatre (Richmond, Virginia); Best Video Film & Cultural Center (Hamden, Connecticut); Denver Film / Sie FilmCenter (Denver, Colorado); Southampton Playhouse (Southampton, New York); and Cinema Arts Centre (Huntington, New York).

The festival is part of the Museum’s year-round Marvels of Media initiative, which showcases, celebrates, and supports autistic media-makers of all ages and skill sets. During the festival, the Museum expands its accessibility accommodations for visitors with autism through the creation of a temporary sensory relief space and provides complimentary sensory kits. There is also a visual story about visiting the Museum.

The 2026 program was organized by MoMI’s Associate Director of Public Programs Tamir Muhammad; MoMI’s Director of Education Leonardo Santana-Zubieta; Programmer Miranda Lee;  and MoMI Interns Emelia Gibson, Eva Brachfield, Katie Herskowitz, Kili Garrett, and Rena Zhang; Festival screeners Juliannna Canabal, Kieran Huang, Maureen Thedford, Ronny Raid and Taylor Diamond; as well as with the Marvels of Media Steering Committee: filmmaker and playwright Jackson Tucker-Meyer, President and Founder of Strokes of Genius, Inc. and Rosa Martínez, and Film Event Accessibility Consultant and Producer Yaara Kedem.

The 2026 Marvels of Media Advisory Council includes: media executive William J. Abbott; Founder and Chairman of David & Goliath David Angelo; executive producer Rich Battista; neurodiversity advocate Wendy Belzberg; President of Franklin Pierce University Peter Eden; media executive David Epstein; actor and director Tony Goldwyn; producer Brian Grazer; media entrepreneur John Hendricks; President of the Jim Henson Foundation Cheryl Henson; Mara Manus; media executive Judy McGrath; CEO of CableLabs Phil McKinney; actor-director 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.

Marvels of Media is made possible with major support from Sapan Studio.

PROGRAM FOR MARVELS OF MEDIA FESTIVAL, MARCH 26–28, 2026
All programs are free with RSVP and take place at Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Ave, Astoria, NY 11106. Full schedule below and online at: movingimage.org/series/marvels-of-media-festival-2026/

Opening Night: The Human Condition 
Thursday, March 26, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for the Marvels of Media Festival opening night program “The Human Condition,” spotlighting three works by autistic media-makers that explore universal struggles with communication and connection.  The screening will be followed by a discussion with filmmakers and a festive reception.

• Don’t Look Out . Tal Anderson (Producer, Actress, Editor), 2025, 6 mins.
  In this horror short from Tal Anderson (The Pitt, Atypical), two autistic friends go camping to escape the horrors of reality, only to discover new horrors in the woods.  New York City premiere
• Too Many Options. Jacob Lenard (Director, Writer, Animator), 2025, 4 mins.
  An animated short from Exceptional Minds’ “Autism Enlightenment Library,” which teaches viewers about autistic experiences, Too Many Options features Jacob Lenard’s cast of recurring characters. Here Lenard focuses on Sammy, a neurotic rabbit stressed with choice overload. World premiere
• Keith. Steven Fraser (Director, Animator, Writer), 2025, 8 mins. In this multimedia short, a filmmaker works to discover the name of a deceased person. Keith uses stop-motion animation, photography, and rotoscoping to convey the filmmaker’s journey and desperate struggle to connect with others.  North American premiere

Funky Friday Double Feature  
Friday March 27, 6:00 p.m.
Catch two feature-length films created by autistic media makers. Experimenting with unconventional methods of storytelling and unique artistic styles, these films consider the search for identity and purpose in an overwhelming world of advancing technology.

• Preface to a History. Devan Scott (Director, Cinematographer, Writer, Producer), 2024, 61 mins. While on a trip to a remote Canadian island, a couple struggles with their relationship, mental health, and feeling small in an unstable world. This avant-garde film was created by a tiny crew of four people, including autistic media-maker Devan Scott. Preface to a History asks how people can find solace, connection, and inner growth in a technologically interconnected and uncertain time. U.S. premiere
• Autistic Mode – Dreamcatchers . Bob Clark (Director, Animator, Writer, Producer), 2024, 72 mins. A segment from the feature-length animated anthology Autistic Mode, “Dreamcatchers” draws inspiration from ’80s and ’90s cyberpunk anime such as Ghost in the Shell and Akira. “Dreamcatchers” takes audiences through the mind of an autistic boy who is tormented by threats inside his head and whose existence, in the outside world, is under threat. New York premierez

Family Program: All-Ages Animation
Saturday, March 28, 12:00 p.m.
Watch four family-friendly animated shorts created by autistic media-makers with tales everyone can learn from about making friendships and accepting differences. Featuring “Watch Your Tone” by Dylan Carbonell, a student of Exceptional Minds.

• Tim S. Turtle . Harry Schad (Director, Producer, Animator, Illustrator), 2025, 5 mins. Tim S. Turtle has trouble with navigation. With determination and a newfound jellyfish friend, he will find his way home. Tim S. Turtle’s endearing style resembles children’s book illustrations, and the film shares messages of friendship and self-acceptance.  World premiere
• A Trip to the Barbershop Ellis Rogers-Archer (Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Animator, Writer), 2023, 2 mins. An episode on Ellis Rogers-Archer’s animated web series Misfits, “A Trip to the Barbershop” presents the humorous story of a barber who must contend with an increasing workload.  World premiere
• Watch Your Tone  Dylan Carbonell (Director, Writer), 2025, 5 mins. When attending a roller rink with an adventurous friend, Antony struggles with not being blunt. With a style reminiscent of Nicktoons shows, Watch Your Tone, from Exceptional Minds student Dylan Carbonell. uses expressive characters and creative direction to convey messages about communication and friendship. New York premiere
• Buzz . Bryn Chainey (Director, Writer), 2023, 10 mins. In Buzz, a robot bee rebels against its grumpy farmer to give a seemingly dangerous plant a chance. This computer-animated short recalls the imaginative storytelling and environmentalist themes of animated favorites Wall-E and The Wild Robot. New York premiere

The Wonderful World of DaniMation with Dani Bowman
Saturday, March 28, 2:00 p.m.
Celebrate five comedic, educational shorts created by Dani Bowman (Love on the Spectrum) and the talented autistic and neurodivergent students of DaniMation Studios.  Bowman, a special ambassador for this year’s Marvels of Media Festival, will appear in person for this program.

• Meloraka and Her Autistic Friend Blobblot. Mya Viets (Creator and Writer), Dani Bowman (Director and Producer), 6 mins. A colorful cast of characters learn to understand and accommodate their autistic friend. This short is a collaboration between DaniMation Studios student Mya Viets and Dani Bowman.
• Ninjew vs. Ninjew Rap Battle. Rob Kutner (Writer), Dani Bowman (Animator), and Olivia Dent (Animator), 2 mins. Kutner, Bowman, and Dent honor a beloved character from the web series God’s Gang (created by Nomrod Avraham-May). In this quirky short, Ninjew faces a clone in a rap battle.
• Neurodiversity Informed Culturally Equitable Care for the Stanford Neurodiversity Project: Module F. Dani Bowman (Director), Dani Bowman, Natalie Hutchins and Olivia Dent (Animators), 2025, 8 mins.
  “Module F” was created by Bowman, Hutchins, and Dent for a Stanford University neurodivergent-informed training session. Autistic girl Emma goes through routine vaccinations with Dr. Jake Mitchell, who lacks neurodiversity-informed training, and Dr. Newman, who adapts to Emma’s needs. This module highlights how communication style, environmental awareness, and clinical approach are meaningful in patient-centered care for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals.
• Neurodiversity Informed Culturally Equitable Care for the Stanford Neurodiversity Project: Module G. Dani Bowman (Director, Animator), Natalie Hutchins and Olivia Dent (Animators), 2025,13 mins.
  “Module G” was created by Bowman, Hutchins, and Dent for a Stanford University neurodivergent-informed training. An autistic boy named Brad and his mother search for a new ophthalmologist who can accommodate him. Through this module, Dani Bowman and her team highlight the importance of thoughtful preparation and sensory accommodations for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals.
• The Alphabet Kids – “A Is for Asteroid”. Nathan Cook (Director), 11 mins.
  “A Is for Asteroid,” the first episode of Nathan Cook’s The Alphabet Kids, introduces a cast of 11-year-olds whose interests and quirks relate to the first letter of their name, launching this unique web series with snappy writing and a fun approach to conflict resolution.

EXHIBITION
Marvels of Media: Across the Spectrum 
March 26–March 28, William Fox Amphitheater
Check out 15 shorts created by autistic media makers that span genres and mediums, including documentary, animation, and puppetry. These works delve into anxieties of the modern world, the struggle to communicate, and the importance of acceptance and community.

• Single . Spectrum Laboratory, 2026, 5 mins.  Created by Spectrum Laboratory, an organization where autistic and other neurodivergent creatives come together to bring media to life, Single presents a humorous and heartwarming story in which a queer girl who yearns for a relationship turns to her friend for support.
• One Light Left On . Diyala Muir (Director, Animator, Writer), 2024, 3 mins. A dialogue-free animated short following a lonely vampire, One Light Left On uses a simple art style and dark comedy to convey themes of isolation and the desire for companionship. North American premiere
• Bruno’s Wings . Nano Bur (Director), 2025, 4 mins.  A dialogue-free stop-motion short about an autistic boy who grapples with self-isolation.
• Miss Odd . Robyn Wisker-Stilling (Director), 2026, 5 mins. In this metaphorical animated short, a colorful autistic woman struggles to fit into a (literal) gray world. Miss Old explores the experience of masking, when autistic people feel they must hide their traits, and the importance of self-acceptance.
• Life Will Show You the Masks That Are Worth All Your Carnivals. Daniel Oliver Lee (Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer), 2025, 7 mins. This experimental short follows a lonely performing rabbit who discovers others like them. This folkloric tale has a unique, do-it-yourself aesthetic and communicates the importance of community.
• Defectment . Ian Gregory Hill (Writer, Producer, Actor), 2025, 5 mins. A thriller set in a dystopian society where autistic people’s traits are evaluated through a computer, this short juxtaposes dark comedy with tension surrounding ableist judgment.
• The Scarlet Lens . Beardsley Roseberry (Director, Animator, Writer), 2025, 13 mins. A science-fiction short of the “found footage” subgenre, Scarlet Lens follows the follies of scientists who tamper with outside forces best left alone. World premiere
• Experience Tranquility. Susanna Hunt (Director, Writer), 2023, 5 mins.  An unfulfilled man attends VR therapy with less than desirable results. Autistic composer Susanna Hunt creates an eerie, futuristic-sounding score that captures the awe and fear of our technological future. World premiere
• Little Lamb . Steph Prizhitomsky (Director, Writer, Cinematographer), 2025 15 mins. John Proctor Is the Villain meets David Lynch in this experimental horror short about dolls who discover that they are not alone in their dollhouse. This short confronts the ways women can be treated in a culture of misogyny and chauvinism. World premiere
• Abelard the Traveling Hedgehog Welcomed Back by the Punker Monsters. Ambrose Peterman (Director, Producer), 2025, 16 mins. An episode of Ambrose Peterman’s Abelard the Hedgehog, this do-it-yourself style puppet web series with a Jim Henson–like spirit conveys messages of overcoming bullies and working together. World premiere
• Steampunk . Nolan Nishell Falcone (Editor), 2025, 21 mins.  This documentary explores the niche science-fiction subgenre of steampunk and its passionate community, featuring interviews with experts and footage from a steampunk convention. World premiere
• Typical? Sarah Leigh (Director, Writer, Producer), 2023, 14 mins. Created and performed by neurodivergent and disabled crew members and actors, Typical? is a rallying cry for disability rights and humanization.
• Unmasking. Alan De-Lira Richards (Director), 2025, 14 mins.  This coming-of-age story, created by autistic cast and crew, concerns the damages of bullying and the importance of staying true to oneself.
• Look Up to Be Queen. Arabella Hayward (Animator), 2026, GIF. In this animated GIF, a little girl looks into the mirror and sees herself as a queen. The imagery inspires wellness and self-confidence.
• Boys. Olive Bilic (Director), 2026, 8 mins. A neurodiverse teen seeks solitude from school chaos, discovering unexpected confrontation and the fragile boundaries between isolation, understanding, and human connection. Presented in partnership with the 18th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York, coming April 23-30 in venues throughout NY, NJ + Online. Visit reelabilities.org/newyork for details.

Also on view: in the Museum’s Game Lab (third floor):

• E-2 – The Extra Mission. Video game by Maxwell Scheller, 2026
• HUMAN. Debora Bergamini, Julio Melo, and Henrique Raveli, 2025. This immersive Oculus Quest 3 XR experience inspired by Voyager’s Golden Record invites participants to explore humanity’s quest for communication and our finite existence within intergalactic space.

About Marvels of Media Festival
The Marvels of Media Festival, presented by Museum of the Moving Image, recognizes the outstanding media work of autistic media-makers through film screenings, an exhibition, and in-depth panel discussions. Autistic media-makers will have a chance to present their work to industry professionals and network with a community of filmmakers and artists while attending media workshops and festive events. The fifth Marvels of Media Festival takes place March 26–28, 2026 at the Museum. All programs are free.

Marvels of Media is an ongoing initiative of Museum of the Moving Image that showcases, celebrates, and supports autistic media-makers of all ages and skill sets through an annual festival, workshops, and more. Throughout the year, autistic visitors will be given guidance and instruction and taught how to express themselves creatively and tell their stories through audiovisual storytelling techniques related to puppetry for the screen, filmmaking, game design, and animation.

About Museum of the Moving Image
MoMI celebrates the history, art, technology, and future of the moving image in all of its forms. Located in Astoria, New York, the Museum presents exhibitions; screenings; discussion programs featuring actors, directors, and creative leaders; and education programs. It houses the nation’s most comprehensive collection of moving image artifacts and screens over 500 films annually. Its exhibitions—including the core exhibition Behind the Screen and The Jim Henson Exhibition—are noted for their integration of material objects, interactive experiences, and audiovisual presentations. For more information about MoMI, visit movingimage.org.