Image courtesy of Hartley AbdekalimiGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Left to right: Isidore Elias, Ezra Barnes, Hartley Abdekalimi at Via Dei GreciGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Coffee culture is an important part of New York societyGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. And, the classic coffee cup has become an iconic image, synonymous with the city itselfGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Astoria-based director Hartley Abdekalimi drew inspiration from this New York staple, and thus the idea for his short film Empire was bornGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Centering around the protagonist, Joe, the film explores his life as one of the city’s premier coffee cup artistsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. As Joe observes the changes throughout his neighborhood, he struggles with the reality of his art being disposableGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Empire was filmed in locations throughout Astoria and the Upper West Side, and viewers may recognize Astoria establishments such as Cafe Boulis, Mokja, and the now-closed Via dei GreciGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Fortunately, the film was able to wrap before the COVID-19 pandemic hitGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Image courtesy of Hartley AbdekalimiGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Ezra Barnes as ‘Joe’ on location at Cafe BoulisGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Abdekalimi credits Astoria with inspiration for the film, and is grateful for the support of the communityGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. “I feel like [filming] was a community effortGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The least fun parts were sitting in my apartment alone writing itGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. But it instantly started to get better once I started looking for places in the neighborhood to filmGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Both of our composers, one of our actors, our costume designers, all of them are in Astoria, so it felt like a neighborhood thing”, said AbdekalimiGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

And, the cast and crew recently received some exciting news: in addition to receiving positive reviews in private virtual screenings throughout the city, the film was selected as one of eight finalists for the Toronto-based Alternative Film Festival’s ‘Best Film’ award!

Currently, the team behind Empire is looking to fundraise to pay for additional festival expenses and costs such as pension and benefits for members of the film’s castGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The fundraiser is currently up on Indiegogo until Sunday, September 27thGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. And there are plenty of perks available as a thank you to those who donate, from a shout out to a private screening of EmpireGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Image courtesy of Hartley AbdekalimiGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. BTS Composing: Composers Greg Mozian and Tyler Clayton Appel, director Hartley Abdekalimi (photo taken at Greg’s Astoria recording studio)Give_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“There’s a sentiment that our main character holds, which even though he is a little absurd and out of date, it rings trueGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. There’s no accounting for something that’s classic and trueGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. I think our neighborhood is just thatGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Even when things seem turbulent, it’s an awesome neighborhood and I have a lot to be thankful for and for being in Astoria [and for] places like Cafe Boulis, Mokja, and Via dei Greci”, shared AbdekalimiGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

If you are interested in donating and learning more about Empire, you may visit its Indiegogo and official InstagramGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.  Give Me Astoria would like to wish Hartley Abdekalimi, as well as the rest of the ‘Empire’ crew the best of luck and congratulations on this wonderful project!