Underground movies outdoors.
September 2008
IFP'S "FIRST WEEKEND" SERIES BEGINS WITH LANCE HAMMER'S BALLAST
By Rooftop Films on 09/29/2008
Filed under: Drama, Personal NarrativeRooftop's noble partners at the Independent Feature Project (IFP) are, like us, always looking for innovative ways to support emerging filmmakers, from their Market (which helps find funding for works-in-progress), to their Labs (which provide artistic feedback for films at the rough cut stage), and now onto distribution. Their new "First Weekend" Series will help independent filmmakers secure a crucial, successful opening weekend in a New York theater. It's a great program, and Rooftop is proud to be promoting it. And the opening film--Lance Hammer's Ballast--is truly remarkable cinema, a powerfully-restrained drama of working-class tension and violence, reminiscent of Bresson... MORE »
-
- Comment
Rooftop Music: CHAIRLIFT to Play Closing Night!
By Rooftop Films on 09/23/2008
Filed under: Rooftop Music, Rooftop NewsFriday, September 26th is the final Rooftop Films event of the year. Please come and enjoy highlights from the 2008 Summer Series! Prior to the films, Sound Fix presents live music by Brooklyn based trio Chairlift. Show up early to catch their super danceable live show! Having already played with Ariel Pink and MGMT, Chairlift is revving up for an upcoming tour with Yeasayer and will release their first full-length album Does You Inspire You on October 28th. You may have heard their single "Bruises" in the new "nano-chromatic" iPod ad!... MORE »
ROOFTOP PROGRAMMERS AT APEXART
Cell Phone Videos: Screening and Discussion
By Rooftop Films on 09/22/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Home Movies, Rooftop Newsapexart Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 6-8pm 291 Church St (btw. Walker & White, NYC) FREE In conjunction with the exhibition Scrawl. Please join apexart, Mark Elijah Rosenberg (Founder & Artistic Director of Rooftop Films) and Dan Nuxoll (Rooftop's Program Director) in a discussion on the technological movement in cell phone capability that is influencing and altering the public's ability to capture moments, generate content, and create entirely new modes of communication. The event also includes a screening of selected videos from apexart's open call for cell phone videos that present moments that are an intimate snapshot of a city's inhabitants... MORE »
THE JOSHUA TREE LAUNCH SERIES
(William Lamson | 3:08 | Documentary)
By Rooftop Films on 09/20/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1634709677, 594, 445, "#ffffff");Lamson is known for performing actions that shock delicate objects with inventive violence. In this lovely and playful series, he casts monumental versions of a child's toy into the imposing Nevada desert. Some habits you had when you were a kid will never die...they'll just grow bigger with you. William Lamson must know this all too well--he is an artist and a filmmaker, and has, here, constructed giant versions of paper planes to launch into the Nevada Desert. Lamson seems to be fascinated by flight, and though time after time the plane crashes downward, he does it... MORE »
ROOFTOP ALUM ANDREW BERENDS
BACK IN THE US
By Rooftop Films on 09/19/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop FilmmakersAndrew Berends, whose film When Adnan Came Home played at Rooftop in 2006, has returned home himself. Andy had been in Nigeria working on his new documentary for six months when he was suddenly detained for 10 days without charges. He was then released and deported. Andy was at Rooftop the other night, and told me that the endeavor was frightening, but that he was mostly just annoyed, though certainly very glad to be home. That kind of bravery is what makes Andy's films so unflinchingly powerful. Here's more from the Free Andrew Berends website: Andrew Berends, the American filmmaker... MORE »
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - Sept. 12th & 13th
NEW YORK NON-FICTION AND DARK 'TOONS
By Rooftop Films on 09/14/2008
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 - "New York Non-Fiction" at Open Road / New Design High School New Yorkers are a tough, dedicated breed. And so a night of steady rain didn't keep the crowds away from Rooftop's ever-popular annual "New York Non-Fiction" short film show. Some 400 people filled the auditorium at Open Road / New Design High School, and as always with NYNF almost all the filmmakers were in attendance, making for an exuberant and raucous evening. People love to see their city reflected back to them, particularly the unique individuals, strange moments, and curious locations which we focus... MORE »
PRINCESS
(Ethan Clarke | 7:05 | Animation)
By Rooftop Films on 09/13/2008
Filed under: Animation, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1683793530, 594, 445, "#ffffff");The story of an unbreakable friendship between a woman and her cat. We need them. Do they really need us? The pets that we share our life with make some interesting companions. They grow with us, and maybe even understand us better than we can understand ourselves. In Ethan Clarke's short film, we see an old woman and the relationship she shares with her cat Princess--love, respect, and camaraderie. Princess does not act differently because the woman is in her old age, as her son does, but remains a steady attendant and partner, and provides a way... MORE »
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - September 5th & 7th
TWO SHOWS ON COMING TO AMERICA
By Rooftop Films on 09/08/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Weekend RecapFRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5: La Frontera Infinita at El Museo del Barrio (East Harlem) The rain threatened all night, but never came, and Rooftop Films concluded an excellent run of shows at El Museo del Barrio. The museum, which is committed to exhibiting the work of Latino artists from East Harlem and abroad (even while under renovation and expansion), made an excellent partner for Rooftop Films, where we don't screen in theaters, we screen in communities. In 2008, we hosted three evenings of music and film, focused on the local and international Latino community. Each show, including this one, was... MORE »
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER ANDREW BERENDS
STILL DETAINED IN NIGERIA
By Rooftop Films on 09/06/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop NewsAnother update, straight from D-Word. To read the original report, and a call for action, scroll down or click here. We are now in the fifth day of [Rooftop alum] Andrew Berends' detainment in Port Harcourt, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Andrew's friends, family and colleagues are outraged about his situation and find it incomprehensible that more has not been done to secure his release. The U.S. State Department has been aware of Andrew's detainment since day one. Yet he still has not been visited by a State Department official. We believe it is beyond acceptable protocol for an American citizen to... MORE »
ROOFTOP FILMS & INDEPENDENT FILM WEEK
By Rooftop Films on 09/04/2008
Once again, Rooftop Films is proud to be supporting emerging and independent filmmakers by partnering with IFP on Independent Film Week, September 14-19, 2008. Six Days. Dozens of Panels. Daily Social Networking. Gain practical knowledge from producers, funders, distributors, agents and buyers addressing the issues facing today's independent filmmakers and learn about new models and platforms that will impact your work tomorrow. Get your badge now! Rooftop-related events include, free outdoor screenings (with free drinks), "Meet the Programmers" sessions, panel discussions, and more: Free outdoor film screenings: + Tues., September 16, 8-11pm Trinidad ( PJ Raval, Jay Hodges |... MORE »
ROOFTOP FILMS AND EASTERN EFFECTS
ANNOUNCE EQUIPMENT GRANT RECIPIENT
By Rooftop Films on 09/04/2008
Lee Isaac Chung (director of the acclaimed Munyurangabo, which screened at Rooftop on August 23) will receive a fully-loaded lighting and grip package for 30 days for his feature narrative Lucky Life. Full details can be found at www.rooftopfilms.com/produce.html and www.easterneffects.com Rooftop Films is committed to helping emerging filmmakers in a variety of ways, from providing large and diverse audiences for underexposed films at our screenings and online, to helping artists produce new films through the Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund. In 2008, Rooftop Films and Eastern Effects, a film equipment rental house in Brooklyn, inaugurated an Equipment Grant, lending one... MORE »
ROOFTOP ALUM ANDREW BERENDS
DETAINED IN NIGERIA
By Rooftop Films on 09/03/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop NewsTroubling news from D-Word: Andrew Berends, an established, award-winning American filmmaker and journalist from New York, was detained Sunday, August 31st by the Nigerian military along with his translator, Samuel George. Andrew entered Nigeria legally in April 2008 to complete a documentary film. Back in 2006, Rooftop hosted the first US screening of Andrew's film When Adnan Comes Home. Andrew was held in custody without food, sleep, or representation, and with limited water for the first 36 hours. He has been questioned by the army, the police, and the State Security Services in Port Harcourt. The State Security Services has... MORE »
Interview With Kelly Sears, Director of "The Drift"
By Rooftop Films on 09/03/2008
Filed under: Animation, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmsQ & A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film. Kelly Sears: The Drift is the tale of a 1960s space journey that goes awry and launches the counter culture revolution at the end of the decade. It's made up of collected images that are slowly animated and make you wonder if you are seeing astronauts and dropouts float away from you. RT: What was your inspiration? KS: I am interested in dystopic manifests destiny fables that draw largely on American history but uses fictional hinges to connect moments of time. I mine pop history images, National Geographic's, cultural... MORE »
Categories
Recent Comments
- “confidence comes in pairs and its nice to share.”
- Patch on INTERVIEW WITH SARA POMERANCE,
DIRECTOR OF "RELAX AT HOME" - 10/31/2008 - “ And if you can't donate, work even harder to get TWO friends to chip in! Thanks, Rooftop...”
- Rooftop Films on A COMPLIMENTARY ROOFTOP FILMS DVD! - 12/09/2008
- “If you make a donation, be proud! Tell all your friends. Be the leader. Show how cool you are that y...”
- Mark Elijah Rosenberg on A COMPLIMENTARY ROOFTOP FILMS DVD! - 12/09/2008
- “Look for more announcements soon about Rooftop alums and friends in the other sections of Sundance, ...”
- Rooftop Films on ROOFTOP ALUMS AT SUNDANCE - 12/03/2008
- “As you guys know, we love your work. A few topics I'd love to see you cover with your special brand ...”
- Rooftop Films on INTERVIEW WITH DALLAS PENN,
CO-WRITER AND STAR OF "CHECKMATE" - 11/26/2008
