MOCA CINEMA – History of NYC’s Chinatown

Register The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) invites you to a special screening of two episodes from History of NYC’s Chinatown , a newly released documentary series from NYC Media: Episode 2: A Community Takes Root and Episode 3: The Shape of Belonging . Through historical insight and intimate community voices, the films trace the making and remaking of one of New York City’s most enduring neighborhoods. A Community Takes Root explores how Chinese immigrants built communal life in the early twentieth century and nurtured a new generation of leaders in Chinatown. The Shape of Belonging examines the transformative years following the 1965 Immigration Act, when new arrivals—including immigrants from Fujian—expanded Chinatown beyond its historic borders and reshaped ideas of community, prosperity, and identity in neighborhoods such as Sunset Park, Flushing, and Elmhurst. Featuring MOCA and members of the Chinatown community, these episodes bring to life a history that continues to unfold. Following the screening, producers Andrew Chow Guidone and Joy Lau will join Rev. Bayer Lee , pastor of First Chinese Baptist Church, and Angela Li , president of OCA-NY, both featured in the series, for a conversation. Together, they will reflect on the process of documenting Chinatown’s layered histories and the urgency of preserving stories that too often go untold. About Andrew Chow Guidone Andrew Chow Guidone is an Emmy award-winning television director, producer, filmmaker and editor. A native Brooklynite with a passion for telling human stories, he’s produced sociological and immigrant-themed documentaries, narrative work and episodic programming. These themes can also be found in his work for local television, news magazines, lifestyle programs, commercials, PSAs and video installations. His work has been seen on PBS, BET, VH1, Food Network and NBC and across cultural institutions nationwide. About Joy Lau Joy Lau is the founder of Storyjoy , a storytelling studio developing and producing work across film, art, digital, and live experiences. Her work focuses on collective storytelling, cultural memory, and creative opportunities for bringing together communities to nurture dialogue and improve cross-cultural understanding. A New Yorker born in Hong Kong with a formative stint in Southern California, Joy’s various experiences of assimilation have shaped her commitment to building bridges across cultures. A NY-Emmy nominated documentary filmmaker, internationally-published illustrator, educator, digital designer, and LEED-AP architect, Joy holds a MS. Construction Project Management from University of Hong Kong, B. Architecture from Pratt Institute. She recently faced her fear of public-speaking head-on when she gave a TEDx talk called “The Power of Feeling Seen”.