District 26: a New York Election Story

In the spring of 2021, I set out to document the busiest city council primary race in New York City: the 26th district in Queens, where 15 candidates were on the Democratic ballot. As the Queens Post described it, District 26 “follows the candidates through the final weeks of the chaotic campaign.” The film also captures the complexity of “voting blocks” in a highly diverse, urban area and the spirit of civic engagement in neighborhoods experiencing extreme development and gentrification.

I produced, shot and edited the original 98 minute cut that screened in the Queens World Film Festival. The 80 minute cut that screened at Cinema Village as part of the Manhattan Film Festival is available on YouTube (below).