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Taking It to the Roofs
Rooftop Film Festival is bringing independent movies to the people
The roof of El Museo del Barrio, across from Central Park, East Harlem (Photo: Dillon DeWaters)
In a city with ever-so-limited indoor space, the attraction to rooftops is simple. They offer a better place to gather than any bar or restaurant. For a drink or to watch the sunset, barbeque, or just steal a quick kiss or moment to yourself, the roof is always there for summer reprieve. As soon as the weather warms enough to warrant wearing shorts, New Yorkers begin the climb any number of flights of stairs to reach those breezy sanctuaries with a view, the roofs of the city.
A native New Yorker fond of hanging out on rooftops, Mark Elijah Rosenberg started what became the Rooftop Film Festival one summer on his own roof by screening his own college film projects and those of his friends. What started as a one-off event has yearly brought more people and films into the fold. Now in its 13th year, Rooftop Films’ Summer Series has the mission of taking “Underground Film Outdoors,” utilizing the city’s love of being above the hubbub to present and promote independent film.
RFF’s intent is to bring low-budget, unknown films to an audience that normally might not see them. Working with rooftop’s locals and like-minded grassroots organizations, each event attempts to attract everyone from film buffs to nearby neighbors. A recent showing of No Impact Man, about taking environmental awareness home with you, included information booths from various environmental awareness groups attempting to get people involved in the cause. Sarah Palmer, who sits on Rooftop’s Board of Directors, says, “When we watch people watching films that they’ve never imagined before and enjoying them, and watch filmmakers meeting people after a show, that’s really what’s most fulfilling. Seeing people connect in this realm of film.”
The RFF is a growing non-profit organization. They provide affordable equipment to filmmakers and regularly distributed grant for filmmakers, garnered funds by setting aside one dollar from each ticket sold or entry fee collected. They have partnerships with public schools like Williamsburg’s Brooklyn Automotive High School, teaching filmmaking to young people. But the focus remains on putting together a stunning Summer Series, presenting quality films after dark, above the city’s skyline. Rooftop is sure that when you come up on the roof, you will see something you never would have seen otherwise.
Films screen every weekend until September 20. See the website for schedule details.