Shooting People, IFP and NYWIFT are partnering for the first time to give members the opportunity to attend Hot Docs in Toronto as part of the official “US Delegation.” The fest takes place April 29 – May 9, 2010.

The Hot Docs delegations program welcomes specially-organized international groups of documentary professionals, and helps to develop industry programming and market events focused on the co-production, financing and international sales of docs.

A US Delegation at Hot Docs will include the following components:

Toronto Documentary Forum (May 5 & 6) US delegation producers applying to attend the Forum as observers will be guaranteed admission to this limited seating event.

International Co-Production Day (May 3) A special event during which US producers can introduce themselves to fellow delegates and connect with international documentary professionals.

Featured Index for US Producer’s Projects in the digital Doc Shop market Each US delegation producer would receive the opportunity to submit, on a 25% discounted basis, films into the Doc Shop, Hot Docs’ on-demand digital video library for international buyers and programmers.

US delegates will have also the opportunity to access:

• All Festival Screenings (access to over 255 screenings)
• The Doc Shop digital market screening library
• All Hot Docs Conference sessions and programs, including Hot Docs Talks, Kickstart panels, CoffeeTalks and Micro Meetings
• All Sales Office services and events, including Rendezvous meeting opportunities, Hot Docs Online Community and Sales Consultants
• The annual Hot Docs Awards Presentation
• All services provided by the Rogers Industry Center
• A full roster of parties and receptions
• The NFB Delegate Lounge
• Over 1,900 registered documentary professionals from more than 25 countries
• Over 300 international broadcasters, film foundation representatives and acquisitions executives representing the world’s key broadcast markets
• Over 400 accredited media representatives
• All this at the hugely discounted price of 577.50 (Canadian Dollars).

Sign up here with discount code: HDUSADEL
When registering online, delegates should select pass option C: Toronto Documentary Forum Pass.
Please note you will have to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements.

+ 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.

My film, Skip Rocks, had enormously positive feedback at the preview — with many notable industry folks providing not only praise, but incredibly insightful comments on how to better our films for our audience.

Apart from the great individual comments, Ingrid Kopp from Shooting People and Leah Sapin and Felix Endara from Arts Engine provided useful information on audience building and outreach.

Later, we were lucky enough to sit down with Josh Blum from Washington Square films who shared his knowledge of the changing industry and, along with Jeremy Kipp Walker and Paola Mendoza, provided what can only be called a passionate purview on film and filmmaking. I will never forget having had the opportunity to sit at a table full of such creative, caring, and excited people talking film.

Reva also spent a few hours with me after the workshop going over some of the comments I received and suggesting how I might implement them. We are very grateful for the thoughtfulness and energy Cinereach has put into our films.

Many thanks to the other attendees, your time and consideration are invaluable. Thanks to everyone involved!!