About the Museum
The MoMI does not limit its study and curation at the traditional sources of moving images: film and television. The museum delves into music videos, video games, graphic arts, viral gifs, homemade YouTube cat videos and any other incarnation of non-static images. The futuristic building feels like the set of a 1970s science fiction film and hosts some of the most popular and accessible exhibits in the city. Admission includes a ticket to the daily films in the museum's comfortable theater. The screenings are often part of a unique themed festival, retrospective or panel discussion. Check the calendar to time your visit with a film of interest.
What You Will See
The permanent installation walks visitors through a thorough evolution of the technology behind the production, distribution, and presentation of film, TV, animation and video games. The exhibit delves deeply into the process, examining not just the role of actors, but also of cinematographers, sound mixers, special effects artists and editors. Several hands-on exhibits and demonstrations supplement the artifacts and memorabilia: put your voice into a classic scene or try managing a fleet of cameras capturing a live baseball game. Temporary exhibits rotate themes and examine a genre or an artist in great detail. Though occasionally esoteric, they are generally accessible to all ages and interest levels.
Why You Should Go
The MoMI is for everyone because everyone loves movies, TV, video games, animation or internet clips. Exhibits are interesting for passive consumers of media, with enough unique detail and history to fascinate dedicated cinephiles. The museum strikes the perfect balance between simply relying on the inherent entertainment value of its popular subjects and draining them of fun through academic over-analysis. You will learn something new, but you won't feel like you are learning. The daily screenings give the museum a tremendous repeat visit or membership value. The MoMI continues to set the standard for the modern immersive museum experience and is the perfect anchor for a pleasant afternoon in Astoria.
