Museum of the Moving Image in New York

The Museum of the Moving Image is a true paradise for cinephiles. Its exhibitions trace the entire evolution of cinema — from the works of the Lumière brothers to the most advanced computer games. Visitors can enjoy a rich interactive program: dubbing scenes from movies and TV shows, creating animations, or even sitting in a recreated 1930s movie theater. The museum also regularly hosts screenings and film festivals, making it easy to combine your visit with a cultural event.

History

The Museum of the Moving Image was founded in 1970 in the historic Astoria Studios building, where some of the most important films of the early 20th century were produced. It became the first institution in the United States dedicated entirely to the history and technology of film, television, and video.

For its time, the museum featured a state-of-the-art theater capable of projecting in 70mm, 35mm, and 16mm formats. It was also one of the few places in New York that could screen rare nitrate film prints. Exhibitions recreated iconic moments in television and video culture — for instance, visitors could watch programs in a mid-20th-century–styled TV living room.

In 2008, the museum doubled in size, adding a new theater and educational spaces. The expansion was designed by Leeser Architecture.

Collection and Exhibits

The museum’s main exhibition, Behind the Screen, explores the creative process of filmmaking, animation, and all forms of screen media. It features:

historic film and television cameras, projectors, and recording equipment,

costumes, set design sketches, makeup tools, magazines, and posters,

collectible objects from across film and television history.

The museum’s interactive elements are especially engaging. Visitors can explore a collection of arcade and console video games — and play many of them. They can also create their own animations, dub scenes from famous films, add sound effects and music, or record a sequence of photos to make a flipbook.

The museum also houses a cinema that hosts screenings and events. For example, as part of a program dedicated to Jim Henson, visitors can see an exhibition and screening of Sesame Street: Follow That Bird. Alongside original Sesame Street puppets, the film features Chevy Chase, John Candy, and Waylon Jennings in a story about Big Bird being relocated by a social worker and his adventurous journey back to Sesame Street.

Since 2011, the museum has hosted the First Look Festival, which has quickly become a significant cultural event. The festival showcases some of the most innovative works in independent and world cinema, experimenting with form, genre, and storytelling.