Underground movies outdoors.
Political Films
ROOFTOP FILMS @ SUNDANCE: REPORTER REVIEW
By Rooftop Films on 01/19/2009
Filed under: Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop NewsNew York Times reporter Nicholas D. Kristof is walking through an impoverished village in central Africa. Little kids are swarming up to him, flies on their faces, bellies distended. The director of Reporter, Eric Daniel Metzgar, says in voice over, "Kristof is here for one reason: to make you care about what's on the other side of that hill." Whether that's a starving child, an adult wracked with disease, or a village slaughtered by a warlord, Kristof wants his readers -- wants the world -- to pay attention. And to help. This curious documentary is operating on multiple levels in... MORE »
-
- Comment
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) Opens at IFC Center on November 21st
By Rooftop Films on 11/14/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Home Movies, Political Films, Rooftop NewsA truly beautiful and heartbreaking new documentary is opening at the IFC Center on November 21st, and we recommend you all go check it out. I saw Ellen Kuras' film at Sundance this past January and everyone who I spoke to was as moved by the film as I was. Filmed over 23 years by Kuras (the cinematographer for countless fantastic films, including the miraculous Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) tells the story of Thavisouk Phrasavath and his family. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. government conducted a secret war in the neighboring country of Laos.... MORE »
"CAPTURED" SCREENS AT MAYSLES CINEMA
WED., NOV. 12, 7PM
By Rooftop Films on 11/12/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Home Movies, Political Films, Rooftop FilmmakersCAPTURED TRAILER Head to the Maysels Cinema tonight for a screening of Captured, an engaging and provocative documentary about vigilante-photographer Clayton Patterson and the sordid history of Manhattan's Lower East Side. Rooftop was thrilled to host the World Premiere of Captured as part of our Panorama Week in June. Over 1,000 people packed Open Road Rooftop, a graffiti-covered roof on the Lower East Side, to learn more about the ever-changing downtown community. Even former Mayor Ed Koch and former Parks Commissioner Henry Stern showed up, despite being portrayed in a not-so-positive light in the film. One of the goals paramount... MORE »
MEERKAT MEDIA MIXER / FUNDRAISER
SAT., NOV. 15, 8-11PM @ DCTV
By Rooftop Films on 11/11/2008
Filed under: Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop NewsRooftop Alums Gina Telaroli and Eric Phillips-Horst, who both screened short films at our 2008 edition of "New York Non-Fiction," are part of a couple of very cool film collaborations: The Brooklyn Filmmakers Collective, and Meerkat Media. As technology makes it easier and easier to make and share media, the key challenge these days is making good media. Having a group of like-minded artists to collaborate with is key, so getting involved with groups like Meerkat or BFC makes a lot of sense. And it's fun. To raise money for Gina's next feature film, they're having a party this weekend... MORE »
COURT 13 PRODUCTIONS ("GLORY AT SEA")
MAKE VIDEOS FOR OBAMA
By Rooftop Films on 11/04/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsMany of the filmmakers from Court 13 Productions, the team behind the amazing Rooftop-co-funded film Glory At Sea, have been working for Barack Obama's campaign for months. I can't think of a better group of artists to craft inspirational films with a poignant social message. Check out a couple short samples of their work. If this doesn't make you weep with hope and joy, and get out of your seat to help change America, I don't know what will: Rooftop Films is immensely proud to have supported filmmakers doing such honorable work. Want more? Check out another wonderful video on... MORE »
CELEBRATE ELECTION NIGHT WITH ROOFTOP FILMS AND STRANGER THAN FICTION!
By Rooftop Films on 11/03/2008
Filed under: Political Films, Rooftop News, SparrowThis Election Night, join Rooftop Films and Thom Powers for a special Stranger Than Fiction screening of Shola Lynch's revealing documentary, Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed. In 1972, when Shirley Chisholm, a brilliant black congresswoman from Brooklyn boldly bid for the presidency, women had barely made it out of the kitchen, and the Civil Rights Act was still new. But, here was eloquent, composed, audacious Shirley Chisholm -- not only the first black woman in Congress, but the first woman to run for the nation's highest office -- demanding that the body politic actually represent all of the American... MORE »
22ND AMENDMENT
(Andrew Sloat I 1:02 I Political)
By Rooftop Films on 10/01/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, SparrowcallBrightcove(1683793564, 594, 445, "#ffffff");Sometimes the Constitution is our best friend. Brooklyn based filmmaker Andrew Sloat's brilliant short, 22nd Amendment played this summer as a part of Rooftop's Annual 4th Of July "Un-American Films" Program. With the Vice Presidential Debate just around the corner, there is no better time to enjoy this little masterpiece. Andrew Sloat's newest and equally brilliant short A More Perfect Union can be found by clinking HERE, and many other works by Andrew can be seen by visiting his website. If you are feeling extra political today, make sure you learn all you can about Rooftop's friend,... 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 - 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 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 »
THE DRIFT
(Kelly Sears | 8:13 | Animation)
By Rooftop Films on 08/13/2008
Filed under: Animation, Documentary, Political Films, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1634691271, 594, 445, "#ffffff");An absurd fable crafted from images found in thrift store bookshelves about our country's unflinching frontierism and the desire to push too far, too fast. What happens when the final frontier has been crossed one too many times? Space, the moon, the emptiness-we've already been there. But when astronauts of a new, exalted space mission hear "the drift," a hypnotic song that sounds like emptiness, it draws them further from the ground of Earth and augments a desire to explore and live in wonder. With Kelly Sears' looped DVD projection, still photographic images of the "American Dream"... MORE »
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - July 25-26
ANIMATION, FAMILY DRAMA, AND A VISIT FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Rooftop Films on 07/28/2008
Filed under: Animation, Documentary, Drama, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop News, Rooftop Weekend Recap, Sparrow, Watch Short FilmsFRIDAY: Animation Block Party at Automotive High School We always have an amazing turnout for our partnership with the exuberant Animation Block Party but this week we set a record: two screens at Automotive High School allowed some 1,000 people to check out the packed program. The night began with comments from AHS teacher Jenny Kessler, who has started a student gardening program at this uber-urban school, growing vegetables on the very lawn we were watching films. She was selling a lush selection of produce to fund student activities, and our wonderfully supportive audience was thrilled to learn a little... MORE »
ROOFTOP'S FAVORITE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
- SPARROW -
TO APPEAR LIVE AT ROOFTOP ON JULY 25
- SPARROW -
TO APPEAR LIVE AT ROOFTOP ON JULY 25
By Rooftop Films on 07/24/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Sparrow, Watch Short FilmsOn July 4, America's holiest of days, a day of patriotism and political awareness, celebrated by setting off fake bombs and drinking enough beer to ruin a lesser nation, one man towered above the thick and rowdy crowd at Rooftop Films, and gloriously announced his 5th successive run for President (that is, every election since 1992). The much-heralded campaign was met first with disbelief, then astonishment, then wild laughter. Which is good. Because Sparrow doesn't want you to vote for him. He wants you to revolt! Sparrow is a poet, a politician, a plebe. He writes bumper stickers ("I'm crazy... MORE »
VISION TEST
(Wes Kim | 6:00 | Documentary)
By Rooftop Films on 07/10/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Political Films, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1556197803, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); Who would you feel most comfortable with as CEO of a Fortune 500 company? What begins as a routine eye exam turns into an examination of people's subconscious attitudes towards race, gender and power. Wes Kim really catches us off guard with this one. This well-developed 6-minute satirical documentary film has you questioning your own predispositions, making apparent the differences we perceive in people because of their race, gender, and power. We enter into a routine Vision Test, and for the first minute, nothing seems out of the ordinary, if perhaps a bit blurry...but when the... MORE »
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - July 4
SOLD-OUT AMERICAN BIRTHDAY BASH
Introducing Rooftop's Presidential nominee - Sparrow
By Rooftop Films on 07/07/2008
Filed under: Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Weekend Recap, Watch Short FilmsOver 800 people attended Rooftop's annual 4th of July "Un-American Films" party--which is the only word to describe the "screening" which featured two hours of free wine and beer, great food, three bands, a program of short, political films, and the best fireworks view to be found in the entire city. Despite a flurry of rain storms, the crowd was dancing on their chairs for Frances, Aleks and the Drummer and Titus Andronicus . And the hardy crowd was astonishingly eager for the films, even as the hardest rain of the day poured down on them. A sea of umbrellas... MORE »
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - June 12-14
3 SOLD-OUT SHOWS
By Rooftop Films on 06/16/2008
Filed under: Animation, Documentary, Home Movies, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Rooftop Weekend Recap, Watch Short FilmsThe First Annual Rooftop Panorama a huge success Rooftop Films is more than a film festival--we are a community, a collaboration between filmmakers and audience members, between movies, venues and neighborhoods. We not only screen films outdoors; we also foster collaborations by renting equipment, teach filmmaking to young people at partner schools, and co-produce new films through The Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund. But because our festival runs through five months (weekends and more from May 31-September 27), as opposed to many that last a weekend or a week, there's not always the same opportunity for filmmakers, distributors, critics, and audience members... MORE »
ROSWELL
(Bill Brown | 19:17 | Documentary)
By Rooftop Films on 06/05/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1557911184, 594, 445, "#ffffff");In this action-packed experimental documentary, Bill Brown drifts through New Mexico trying to find out what caused that lonely spacecraft to crash land in a tiny town in the American desert half a century ago.Bill has been one of Rooftop Films' favorite filmmakers for years. He covers an astonishing and amusingly diverse range of topics--including aliens from outerspace (here in Roswell) and aliens from across the border (in The Other Side)--with an low-fi aesthetic and an extremely personal touch. It's really a thrill to have unique and thoughtful film art like this online. Two whole DVDs of... MORE »
About the Rooftop Films Blog on IFC.com
By Rooftop Films on 05/01/2008
Filed under: About Rooftop Films and This Blog, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Environmental Films, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Music, Rooftop News, Watch Short FilmsFor those of you who know don't know much (or anything) about Rooftop Films, here is a brief introduction: Rooftop Films is a non-profit film festival and production collective that has been screening and producing independent films since 1997. We are most famous for our annual Summer Series, a summer-long outdoor film festival that features more than 35 screenings each year. All of our summer screenings take place in stunning outdoor locations--either on rooftop or in parks, along piers, or in other scenic outdoor locations all over New York City (and occasionally beyond). We have screened more than 1,500 films... 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
