Press

Rooftop Panorama

PRESS Contact: Genevieve DeLaurier | 718-417-7362 | press@rooftopfilms.com | www.rooftopfilms.com

+ Internet animation sensation Lev, live at Rooftop.
+ Community-engagement screening of No Impact Man.
+ Rooftop’s annual, ever-popular “New York Non-Fiction.”
+ US Premiere of Persona Non Grata, a film co-funded by Rooftop Films.
+ Panel Discussions, co-presented with Cinereach, IndiePix, Shooting People.
+ Live Music presented by Sound Fix Records.
+ Parties.

NEW YORK, June 1, 2009: Rooftop Films “Panorama” is a special four day long mini festival within the 2009 Summer Series that is meant to demonstrate what makes Rooftop Films the truly unique, community-based organization that it is. We will bring together the diverse NYC communities we serve, highlight our standout outdoor locations, and screen films that can’t be seen anywhere else. Rooftop Films is more than a film festival. We are a community of filmmakers, audience members, artists, activists, musicians, organizations, venues, and neighborhoods. We use film as a means of bridging cultural boundaries, exploring important issues, and entertaining tens of thousands of people every year.

For 13 years, Rooftop Films has been a champion of the short film genre. On Wednesday, June 10th, we will host a special live showcase of films by internet animation sensation Lev, who has been screening work at Rooftop for the past six years. Rooftop is one of the few festivals in the world to present the collected work of filmmakers working in the short form, highlighting the unique talents of these most independent filmmakers.

Rooftop is best known for showing new independent films in unique outdoor locations throughout New York City in ways that connect filmmakers and audience, films and neighborhoods. On Thursday, June 11th, Rooftop Films and The Fledgling Fund will present a special, community-engagement screening of No Impact Man, a local family drama with global implications. This documentary follows the inspirational (and controversial) No Impact Man (and family) as they challenge themselves to make no environmental impact for one year. Rooftop and the Fledgling Fund invite you to join the challenge, and will create various fun, and interactive ways to get involved.

Continuing our support of short filmmakers and community engagement, on Friday, June 12th, Rooftop will present our annual, ever-popular “New York Non-Fiction” show, personal films about our vibrant and diverse home town.

Rooftop also helps produce new films through the Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund, and on Saturday, June 13th we will host the US Premiere of Persona Non Grata, a documentary that was co-funded by Rooftop Films. The film tells the story of Franz Wuytack, a radical left-wing Belgian missionary to Venezuela, prosecuted as a rebel; banned as a priest; committed as an artist; loved as a father.

Beyond the Summer Series, Rooftop Films does so much more to make a difference in our community. We teach media literacy and video production to high school students, program live music, and rent equipment to independent exhibitors. All of which will be highlighted during “Rooftop Panorama.”

Students from Rooftop Films’ high school education programs at Brooklyn Tech High School and Automotive High School will be present at our June 10 and 11 screenings, and students from New Design High School, where we are collaborating on events and fundraising for school services, will be in attendance on June 12.

At each of the four screenings, Rooftop Films will host parties and host live music presented by Sound Fix Records. Free drinks will be provided at parties at Matchless Bar (Williamsburg), Fontana’s (Lower East Side), and at The Old American Can Factory (Gowanus, Brooklyn).

On Saturday, June 13, in conjunction with IndiePix and Shooting People, Rooftop Films will host panel discussions on the state of independent filmmaking and the ways that truly independent filmmakers can survive and make new work, bringing in filmmakers, programmers and funders to discuss issues that are crucial to Rooftop Films’ mission.

Rooftop Films “Panorama” promises to be an exciting weekend, blending the uniquely diverse qualities of Rooftop’s annual Summer Series with the condensed excitement of other film festivals. Come join us all weekend, and all summer.

DETAILS:

Wednesday, June 10
Tales of Mere Existence
Funny films about anxiety, awkwardness and existential emotions, featuring the animations of internet sensation Lev. Plus a live reading from Lev’s new book.
Venue: On the Roof of Brooklyn Technical High School
Address: 29 Fort Greene Place (Fort Greene, Brooklyn)
Directions: B/M/Q/R to DeKalb Ave. or 2/3/4/5 to Nevins St.
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location
8:00PM: Doors open
8:30PM: Sound Fix presents live music by Glass Ghost
9:00 PM: Films
Tickets: $9 at the door or online at www.rooftopfilms.com
Presented in partnership with: Crunch, Cinereach, New York magazine, IndiePix, Shooting People & Brooklyn Technical High School

Thursday, June 11
Rooftop Films & The Fledgling Fund present
No Impact Man
(Laura Gabbert & Justin Schein | New York, NY | www.noimpactman.com | 90 min.)
A local family drama with global implications: the inspirational (and controversial) No Impact Man (and family) challenge themselves to make no environmental impact for one year. Rooftop and The Fledgling Fund invite you to join the challenge.
Venue: On the lawn of Automotive High School
Address: 50 Bedford Ave. @ North 13th St. (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Directions: L to Bedford Ave. or G to Nassau Ave.
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location
7:30PM: Doors open for Eco-Carnival, with food, games, activism and information about the environment
8:00PM: Sound Fix Records presents live music by The Hungry March Band
9:00PM: Film
11:30PM-1:00AM: After-party: Open Bar at Matchless (557 Manhattan Ave. @ Driggs) Courtesy of Radeberger Pilsner
Tickets: $9 at the door or online at www.rooftopfilms.com
Presented in partnership with: The Fledgling Fund, Cinereach, New York magazine, IndiePix, Shooting People, Council Member David Yassky & Automotive High School

Friday, June 12
                                                                                                                                                                    New York Non-Fiction Short films that explore New York’s diverse landscape and culture from the perspective of our workers, hustlers, lovers and royalty. It’s your city. Take a look.
Venue: On the Open Road Rooftop above New Design High School
Address: 350 Grand St. @ Essex (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
Directions: F/J/M/Z to Essex/Delancey
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be Sun 6/14 at the same location. Check www.rooftopfilms.com or call 718-417-7362 on the day of the event if the weather seems questionable.
8:00PM: Doors open
8:30PM: Live music presented by Sound Fix Records
9:00PM: Films
11:30PM-1:00AM: After-party: Open Bar at Fontana’s (105 Eldridge St. @ Grand) Courtesy of Radeberger Pilsner
Tickets: $9 at the door or online at www.rooftopfilms.com
Presented in partnership with: Cinereach, New York magazine, IndiePix, Shooting People, New Design High School, Open Road New York & The New York City Council Manhattan Delegation

Saturday, June 13
Persona Non Grata (Fabio Wuytack | Belgium & Venezuela | 90 min.)
US Premiere! Prosecuted as a rebel. Banned as a priest. Committed as an artist. Loved as a father. An inspiring and important documentary co-funded by Rooftop Films.
Venue: On the roof of the Old American Can Factory
Address: 232 3RD St. @ 3rd Ave. (Gowanus/ Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Directions: F/G to Carroll St. or M/R to Union Ave.
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location
5:00PM: Panel discussion: “Message vs. Craft,” outside in courtyard
6:30PM: Panel discussion: “Filmmaking Strategy,” outside in courtyard
7:30PM – 9:00PM: Reception in courtyard including free sangria courtesy of Carlo Rossi
8:30PM: Sound Fix presents live music by Nutria NN
9:00PM: Film
Tickets: $9 at the door or online at www.rooftopfilms.com
Presented in partnership with: Cinereach, New York magazine, IndiePix, Shooting People & XØ Projects

• PREVIEW TAPES / DVDs & HIGH RESOLUTION STILLS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
• FULL PROGRAM NOTES, FILM DESCRIPTIONS, VENUE INFO, SCHEDULE OF OTHER EVENTS AND MORE AVAILABLE AT WWW.ROOFTOPFILMS.COM

Download the Rooftop Films online press kit here:
Rooftop Films Press Kit 2009

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Rooftop Films is a non-profit organization whose mission is to engage and inspire the diverse communities of New York City by showcasing the work of emerging filmmakers and musicians. In addition to our Summer Series – which takes place in unique outdoor venues every weekend throughout the summer – Rooftop provides grants to filmmakers, teaches media literacy and filmmaking to young people, rents low-cost equipment to artists and non-profits, and produces new independent films. At Rooftop Films, we bring the underground outdoors. For more information and updates please visit our website at www.rooftopfilms.com.