We’re excited to feature Adam Gordon, Managing Director of Wildflower Studios, Astoria’s new film and television production studio. Joining him are Catherine Nasch of United Scenic Artists Local 829, Layla Musawwir of NYC Ferry, and Victor Prado of the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC). Additional presenters may be announced prior to the event. Viewers can watch the livestream and ask questions in real time through YouTube and Facebook chat.

Date/Time:
Monday, July 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Format:
Virtual

Where to Watch:
Live on YouTube and Facebook

Audience Participation:
Questions will be taken live through YouTube and Facebook chat.

Featured Presenters:

• Adam Gordon — Managing Director, Wildflower Studios
• Catherine Nasch — United Scenic Artists Local 829
• Josh Levin—Vice President, State Government Affairs, Northeast Region at the Motion Picture Association

• Layla Musawwir — NYCHA Outreach Lead, NYC Ferry
• Victor Prado — Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC)

Additional presenters may be announced.

About the Meeting

The film and television industry has long been a core economic driver for Western Queens and an important part of the identity of Astoria and surrounding neighborhoods.

World-famous production facilities in the area have included Silvercup Studios, Broadway Stages, and Kaufman Astoria Studios.

This meeting will focus on Astoria’s new state-of-the-art Wildflower Studios and the role it may play in supporting modern film and television production. We may also discuss the history of Wildflower and how its experience in logistics and operations helped shape the development of this new production facility.

The discussion will also examine the broader state of the film and entertainment industry, including how interstate and international competition, new technologies, and changing production models are reshaping the business.

The film and entertainment sector has traditionally been one of America’s leading exports, but the industry is facing uncertain times that affect not only corporations, but also actors, artisans, union members, technical crews, production staff, and many local small businesses.

This conversation will highlight the importance of public policy that helps attract productions back to the United States, New York State, and especially New York City.

There is no greater creative backdrop than New York City.

Rescheduled from April 29, 2026.

A recording of the meeting will be available via Facebook and YouTube following the event.

Presenters are subject to change without notice.

About the Speakers

JOSH LEVIN, VICE PRESIDENT,
NORTHEAST REGION, MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION

Josh Levin represents the Motion Picture Association (MPA) as the Northeast region’s vice president of state government affairs. He oversees a portfolio that includes 10 states and the New York City production hub, home to the MPA’s member company corporate and regional headquarters.

Before the MPA, Josh was a dedicated public servant focused on economic development that spanned nearly 15 years, including the New York State Assembly, the New York City Mayor’s Office, the New York City Comptroller’s Office, and the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office. Most recently, he was Associate Commissioner of Intergovernmental and Community Affairs at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), the first film commission in the United States. 

During his time at MOME, Josh spearheaded community outreach to significantly reduce neighborhood complaints, increase local elected and agency engagement, and boost economic development activity, all during the global pandemic and ensuing recovery effort. His economic development expertise also included time on the New York City Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, the Wildlife Conservation Society Board of Trustees, and a dozen New York City business improvement district boards of directors.

Josh is originally from West Michigan as well as a graduate of Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the University of Colorado’s College of Architecture and Planning. His dedication to public service included time in the Montana Conservation Corps. He lives in Central Brooklyn with his wife and their son.

ADAM GORDON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, WILDFLOWER STUDIOS

Adam Gordon is the Managing Partner of Wildflower Ltd. A fourth-generation New Yorker, Adam has been taking on complex real estate challenges in the city for three decades. Wildflower Ltd. is the developer of Wildflower Studios, which is bringing a 21st-century production facility to Astoria, Queens, in partnership with actor and producer Robert De Niro, and designed by Bjarke Ingels BIG architects. Wildflower is also Amazon’s most active New York City e-commerce developer. Before founding Wildflower, Adam was one of the leading developers of self-storage properties in New York City. And, with Steven Harris Architects, built a series of homes that were part of New York’s residential design evolution. In addition to his real estate development work, Adam takes an active interest in the natural world and its long-term health. He served as a member of the Directors Council at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where he helped develop the Institution’s 100-year plan. And he is the co-founder of Knights Valley Wagyu, an ongoing experiment in regenerative agriculture in California’s Sonoma County.