2011 Summer Series Submissions Are Open:

Submissions are open for the Rooftop Films 2011 season. The 2011 Summer Series will run from May through September and will feature more than 200 daring new films, all screened outdoors, in front of big, loyal audiences in parks, on boats, and on rooftops overlooking the greatest city in the world. In 2010 Rooftop organized 10 outdoor shows in Toronto, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and other cities all across the Northeast, and plans to continue its expansion across the U.S. Nearly 30,000 people attended Rooftop screenings in 2010, making it one of the most popular festivals in New York City and one of the biggest festivals for underground films in the world. The submission fee is relatively low, and must only be paid once regardless of how many films a filmmaker submits. In addition, each filmmaker who submits gets two free Rooftop tickets as a thank you.

Equipment Rentals Discount:

When Rooftop isn’t using its equipment to put on shows throughout the summer, it rents it out at a low cost to artists and non-profits. This helps us not only sustain Rooftop programs, but also to support emerging artists and film festivals. Rooftop has a variety of projectors, screens, sound equipment, and cameras, as well as tech staff and is offering a discount of 15% off all equipment and services through 12/31.

How do you get your hands on those tickets? Easy! First you have to “like” the Cinereach facebook fan page (if you don’t already). Then post a photo of yourself or a friend on an NYC rooftop on our wall. If you’re among the first 10, we’ll contact you to let you know!

This would work:

Eligible photo (depicting Cinereach staff member on bad hair day).

This would too:

Recognize anyone you know?

Now post away and show us your rooftops!

Submit your movies! We are currently accepting submissions for the 2010 Rooftop Films Summer Series. Submit your films and videos now and participate in one of the most unforgettable, unique, filmmaker-friendly, independent film events in the world! You can submit directly to us by downloading the submission form here or you can submit via Withoutabox.

The 2010 Summer Series will run from May through September and will feature more than 200 daring new films, all screened outdoors, in front of big, loyal audiences in parks, on boats, and on rooftops overlooking the greatest city in the world. More than 25,000 people attended Rooftop screenings in 2009, making it one of the biggest festivals for underground films in the world. We show films of all genres, formats, and lengths, as long as they’re daring, creative, and unique.

Deadlines
Earlybird: $9 – December 5, 2009.
Regular: $15, ($10 for WAB members) – January 15, 2010.
Late: $20, ($15 for WAB) – February 15, 2010.
Without A Box Extended: $20 for WAB members – March 1, 2010

Plus, if you submit a work to Rooftop Films you automatically get 2 free tickets to any Rooftop Summer Series show (an $18 value).

You can mail any submissions to: Rooftop Films / PMB 401 / 285 Fifth Avenue / Brooklyn, NY 11215

If you have any questions regarding submissions, please email program director Dan Nuxoll at: submit * at * rooftopfilms * dot * com.

Rooftop Films
Underground Movies Outdoors
718-417-7362
www.rooftopfilms.com

Paola Mendoza and Gloria LaMorte with their Audience Awards

Paola Mendoza & Gloria LaMorte’s film ENTRE NOS, a Cinereach grant recipient, won the Audience Award Narrative Feature at the Newport International Film Festival! To check out the ENTRE NOS blog, click here. For information about the Newport International Film Festival, click here. 

If you are in NYC come check out Rooftop Films’ Panorama this weekend. As part of the Panorama, Paola will be taking part in a panel this Saturday titled “Message vs. Craft: The Art of Effective “Issue” Storytelling.” For details on the panel, click here. 

Congrats to the entire ENTRE NOS cast and crew!

+ 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.

A still from BRONX PRINCESS, a film by Yoni Brook and Musa Syeed

This Friday June 12th, Rooftop Films will be screening BRONX PRINCESS, a Cinereach grant recipient, as part of their “New York Non Fiction” program. The film follows headstrong 17-year-old Rocky’s journey as she leaves behind her mother in New York City to reunite with her father, a chief in Ghana. Filmed during the tumultuous summer between high school and college, this funny and touching documentary tells Rocky’s coming-of-age story. For full program, click here.

Saturday, June 13th, Rooftop’s Panorama will take place on the roof of the Old American Can Factory. The event will be a series of discussions and a screening of the film PERSONA NON GRATA. Cinereach, Shooting People, and IndiePix are teaming up to discuss “The Art of Effective ‘Issue’  Storytelling” and “Tips, Tools and Wisdom to Help You Make the Right Decisions For Your Film.” Paola Mendoza (Cinereach grantee and RFF advisor) will take part in the first panel, along with Justin Schein (NO IMPACT MAN), Fabio Wuytack (PERSONA NON GRATA) and Bilge Ebiri (New York magazine). Cinereach Grants Manager, Adella Ladjevardi will be on the second panel, along with Leah Sapin (Arts Engine), Janet Brown (Cinetic), Liz Ogilvie (B-Side), Tia Lessin (TROUBLE THE WATER), Andy Bichlbaum (THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD). For more information on the panels, and on how to purchase tickets, click here.

A shot from Rooftop's screening at Westbeth

Cinereach grant recipient, Rooftop Films, is touted on Tribeca Film Fest’s website. “There’s a particular alchemy practiced by Brooklyn’s Rooftop Films that creates singular and special film experiences. Naturally, outdoor films thrive in the summer, but Rooftop takes that principle—getting people outside to watch a film—and flips it on its head, adding bands, afterparties, and wonderfully curated programs. They then take all that to the sky, creating a truly wonderful vibe. It’s a New York treasure and certainly something to cite when you want to make people jealous that you live here. ” Check out the full article here.

Below is a letter from Rooftop kicking off their Strength in Numbers campaign – Donate Today!

Dear Friend, 

As Rooftop Films enters our 13th season, we face a difficult challenge. The current economic climate has forced several of our sponsors and funders to make significant cutbacks, and now, with only days to go before the opening of our 2009 Summer Series, Rooftop has a severe deficit to overcome. 

Rooftop is a non-profit organization, which means we rely on support from the public to operate. Right now that support is very hard to come by. Rooftop aims to present our 13th season as we intended it―with 44 nights of incredible films in incredible locations―but even as we reach out to new funders and cut all but our most vital expenses, these steps only take us so far. This is where you come in. 

You are reading this because, in one way or another, you are already a part of the Rooftop community. Whether you have donated to Rooftop before, have shown a film or attended a screening, or have only read about us, you are a part of the engine that keeps Rooftop going. So in the spirit of community that Rooftop holds at the center of its mission, we are now turning to you to help us find strength in numbers. 

This campaign is not about numbers of dollars; it’s about numbers of people. Whatever the amount you can spare, we simply hope you will add your name to the list of those who believe that Rooftop’s work is valuable, and then ask your peers to do the same. 

Please help us reach our goal of 1,000 donors by September 1. Donate today. 

To read more about the programs your donation will support, visit our website. If you have any questions or want to know more about other ways to support Rooftop Films, you can contact Development Director Lauren Faria at lauren@rooftopfilms.com. 

With sincerest thanks, 

Rooftop Films staff, board, filmmakers, and family 

 

To make your tax-deductible donation now, donate online OR fill out this form(please see information on our website for updated donation benefits) and mail your check to: and mail your check to: 

 

Rooftop Films 
232 3rd Street #D101
Brooklyn, NY 11215

PLEASE NOTE: Checks should be made out to our fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas, with “In behalf of Rooftop Films” on the memo line.