Photo Courtesy of Queens Underground Film Festival

A Profile of the Visionary Behind the Queens Underground International Film Festival’s Southern Debut

There are film festivals — and then there are cultural awakenings dressed in red carpet glam. This October, Columbia, South Carolina, won’t just be hosting an event — it will be witnessing a movement, brought forth by one of the most quietly brilliant cultural architects you’ve probably never met (but definitely should).

Her name is Dr. Adrienne Whaley, and her mission is simple: POP — Passion Over Perfection.

That mantra isn’t just a catchphrase — it’s the heartbeat of the Queens Underground International Film Festival (QUIFF), a multi-genre, multicultural celebration of independent filmmakers, poets, musicians, and visual storytellers that Dr. Whaley founded in Jamaica, Queens. After building a legacy over eight years and nearly 20 festivals in New York, she’s now bringing that brilliance to the South.

October 10–11, the South Carolina State Museum transforms into a creative haven for artists, dreamers, and film lovers alike. And the woman behind it all? She’s not here for small talk — she’s here to build tribes, spark visions, and hand the mic to those too often muted.

Queens Underground Film Festival: Through the Years Photos Courtesy of QUIFF

From Doubt to Destiny

Dr. Whaley’s story is a masterclass in the pivot. Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens — a neighborhood where Count Basie, Billie Holiday, LL Cool J, 50 Cent and Nicki Minaj all left their fingerprints — creativity was in the water. As a child, she watched her father sketch in pen and ink while her mother redecorated rooms just for the thrill of transformation.

But despite early talent and drive, she was told — by her own high school guidance counselor — that as a Black girl, art was not a realistic career path.

So she took a detour: college (and leaving college), corporate jobs, public education, single motherhood, and five degrees later, she was accomplished — but unfulfilled. It wasn’t until she returned to her creative roots — first with a neighborhood video store, then an art studio, then live performance nights — that she began building the blueprint for what would become the Queens Underground Film Festival.

It started with movie nights and open mics. It became a destination for Black filmmakers, poets, dancers, and creatives looking for a platform, not just applause.

We created what I didn’t have growing up — a space where your voice matters.

Dr. Adrienne Whaley
Photo Courtesy of Queens Underground Film Festival

The Festival That Feels Like Home

QUIFF is not a film festival in the traditional sense — and that’s the point.

Yes, there are screenings. Yes, there are red carpet photo ops. But what sets it apart is the soul. The vibe. The community energy. Attendees don’t just show up — they show out, and return year after year.

One guest once asked Dr. Whaley, “Are all these people family?”
The answer?
Yes. Chosen family. Creative family.

We had filmmakers come back multiple times. Some now volunteer, others have booked commercials or been featured on platforms like Tubi. That continuity, is what builds community.

Dr. Adrienne Whaley

QUIFF has become a pipeline, a platform, and a promise to uplift talent, regardless of budget, background, or buzz. It’s a celebration of the under-celebrated, a launchpad for those who never thought they’d walk a red carpet.

Columbia, You’re Up Next

This fall, Columbia gets its official invitation.

The Queens Underground Film Festival touches down October 10–11 with a two-day takeover of the South Carolina State Museum, and this one’s got something for everyone:

  • 40+ films from around the globe
  • A Virtual Industry Panel Series with national filmmakers and professionals
  • Networking mixers, red carpet interviews, and Q&As
  • An awards ceremony at the Hilton Columbia Center across the street

And it’s all anchored in the theme: “Beyond the Screen: Meet Your Tribe.”

This isn’t about watching films it’s about stepping into a world where your creativity, your story, your hustle is seen, valued, and celebrated.

There are a lot of spaces for kids. A lot for women. But not enough for men. Not enough for artists juggling day jobs. Not enough for people who’ve had to put their dreams on pause. This is for them. For us.

Dr. Adrienne Whaley

A Legacy Rooted in Love

Dr. Whaley doesn’t call herself a filmmaker.
She calls herself a lover of the arts. A creative cultivator. A community curator.

And in building QUIFF, she’s created something bigger than film:
A platform for dreaming out loud.
A place where Black men and women are affirmed.
A reminder that you don’t need permission to create — just opportunity.

Her story is one of reinvention, resistance, and rising on her own terms — always with a sense of humor, always with style, always with a deep sense of purpose.

Meet and vibe with your tribe.

Dr. Adrienne Whaley

Columbia, You’re Invited

So what are you doing October 10–11?

If you’re an artist, you’ll find inspiration.
If you’re a dreamer, you’ll find your tribe.
And if you’re a lover of bold Black storytelling — trust us, you don’t want to miss this.

South Carolina State Museum
October 10–11, 2025
Get tickets here
Follow: @queens_underground_film_fest

Dr. Adrienne Whaley isn’t just bringing a film festival to South Carolina. She’s bringing an experience, a platform, and a promise.

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