Rooftop News
THREE DOCS FROM THE 2008 SUMMER SERIES
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ACADEMY AWARDS
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 | 4:01 PM
Three fantastic docs that we showed this year made the short list for an Academy Award nomination: Carl Deal and Tia Lessin's Trouble the Water; Steve James and Peter Gilbert's At the Death House Door; and Jeremiah Zagar's In A Dream.
Congratulations to all those filmmakers and to everyone who made the list, especially Ellen Kuras (The Betrayal, which opens in New York this week--see our appeal below), Daniel Jung (They Killed Sister Dorothy, which I loved when I saw it at SXSW) and James Marsh (Man On Wire, which blew us away at Sundance). Good luck to all of you.
Read more HERE.
SUBMIT YOUR WORK TO ROOFTOP FILMS!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 | 1:10 PM
Rooftop Films is now accepting submissions for the 2009 Summer Series! (Please help us out by forwarding this post to filmmakers and/or posting it to relevant websites)
Submit your movies! In May 2009 we will begin celebrating our 13th year of bringing the best underground films in the world outdoors and to the rooftops of New York. Submit your films and videos now and participate in one of the most unforgettable, unique, filmmaker-friendly, independent film events in the world!
• A complete list of rules and regulations are available on the Rooftop Films Website.
• Films can be submitted via Withoutabox.com or directly to Rooftop Films.
• General deadlines and fees have changed since last year: Earlybird: $9, postmarked by January 5, 2009; Regular: $13, postmarked by February 02, 2009; Late: $16, postmarked by March 1, 2009; Without A Box Extended: $16, April 1, 2009 (Without A Box members only).
• Rooftop continues to accept films year-round, but if you want to guarantee that your films will be considered for the 2009 Summer Series please make sure to submit them on or before the deadlines.
THE FESTIVAL
The Rooftop Films 2009 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, along the water, and on rooftops overlooking the greatest city on earth. More than 15,000 people attended Rooftop screenings in 2008, making it one of the most popular festivals in New York City. The 2009 Summer Series will surely feature even bigger crowds, even more beautiful venues, and more incredible films.
SUBMITTING TO ROOFTOP
Rooftop Films is committed to helping filmmakers get their films screened and we believe that it is the responsibility of a film festival to make it as easy as possible for filmmakers to submit their films and get them screened. That is why we don't demand that filmmakers send us exorbitant submission fees. There is a recommended early submission fee of $9.00 per filmmaker or curator for any films postmarked prior to January 5th, and for that fee you can submit as many films as you like without paying additional submission fees. Our early submission fee is the same as our regular ticket price, and every filmmaker who submits to Rooftop will get TWO free passes to any regular Rooftop Films show (a value of $18). We try to keep the cost to filmmakers as minimal as possible and though we can't show all the films sent in to us, we hope that all the filmmakers that submit come out to our shows--and the first one is on us.
If you have any other questions--please email Program Director, Dan Nuxoll at *submit at rooftopfilms dot com*
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) Opens at IFC Center on November 21st
Friday, November 14, 2008 | 4:20 PM
A 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. When the U.S. withdrew, thousands of Laotians who fought alongside American forces were left behind to face imprisonment or execution. Thavisouk's family made the courageous decision to escape to America. There, they discovered a different kind of war.
The Betrayal is epic in scope yet devastatingly intimate, featuring a score by Academy Award winning composer Howard Shore, the film is a testament to the resilient bonds of family and an astonishing tale of survival.
Of course, Kuras' film is particularly relevant today, as countless families in Afghanistan and Iraq that assisted the U.S. quite possibly will face (or already have faced) the same sort of retribution that the Laotians did. Many supporters in those countries will be killed and many others will be forced to flee their homeland, but to this point we have heard very little talk of their plight as the U.S. prepares to slowly pull their security forces out of those countries. In The Betrayal, we see the real human consequences of U.S. policy decisions, and Kuras' deft cinematic touch, astonishing footage, and lyrical sensibilities turn the tale of the Phrasavaths into a narrative poem with genuine depth and power.
Of course, it is exceedingly difficult in the present marketplace for a subtle and meaningful film like this to get a proper theatrical run and reach the audience that it deserves, so please do try to support the film while it is in theaters and spread the word. If you have seen or heard about the film and want to support it, the filmmakers are requesting that you lend a hand and:
• Send personalized emails to your friends, co-workers, family and like-minded organizations to get them out to see THE BETRAYAL opening weekend starting November 21st @ the IFC CENTER
• Talk about the film on your website and listserv's by linking to the movies website
• Write about the film!
• Friend Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk on Facebook
MEERKAT MEDIA MIXER / FUNDRAISER
SAT., NOV. 15, 8-11PM @ DCTV
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 | 9:00 AM
Rooftop 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 at DCTV. Stop by, start making some connections, and support truly independent cinema!
Saturday, November 15, 8-11pm
Meerkat Media Mixer / Fundraiser
at DCTV (87 Lafayette, NYC)
Sliding Scale $8-20
JOIN US AT CHELSEA MARKET FOR THE BEST ANIMATION FROM ROOFTOP FILMS
ON IFC.COM!
Monday, November 10, 2008 | 12:34 PM
**FREE EVENT**
Monday, November 10th, 2008
Rooftop Films presents the Best Animation from Rooftop Films on IFC.com
Amazing Independent Animated Shorts
Join Rooftop Films on Monday, November 10th, for our second of three FREE screenings at Chelsea Market. We will be showing 10 amazing independent animated films chosen from Rooftop Films' 2008 Summer Series and our library of shorts.
For the past two years, Rooftop and IFC have been streaming many of our shorts on our page on IFC.com, and on the 10th we'll be screening a selection of some of the best of the bunch--many of which will be premiering on IFC.com in the next few weeks.
Before the films Ivana XL will be performing her beautiful music live, and throughout the show we will have free bottles of beer courtesy of Radeberger Pilsner.
Venue: Indoors at Chelsea Market
Address: 75 9th Ave (Between 15th and 16th Streets, Manhattan)
Directions: A, C, E, or L to 14th Street and 8th Ave
7:00: Live Music by Ivana XL
7:30: Independent Animation from Rooftop Films and IFC.com
Admission: Free!
Free Radeberger Pilsner for all in attendance (must be 21 to drink)
Visit our dedicated Rooftop Films page on IFC.com http://www.ifc.com/film/rooftop/ to see some of the best short films in the world. New films are posted to the site three times a week; by the end of the year there will be 100 great shorts up there.
Comedy, drama, documentary, animation--these films come from all over the world and span every imaginable genre in the short film universe. Rooftop Films receives more than 2,000 short film submissions a year and we are choosing the very best of them to stream on IFC.com. The Rooftop Films page on IFC.com will be one of the most exclusive online collections of great shorts available anywhere in the digital world. And all of it is conveniently organized so that film lovers can now discover talented new filmmakers online without having to sift through the millions of unsorted videos on the internet.
These are films you'll want to watch more than once, and now you can. Watch them on a gorgeous New York City rooftop, with the city glittering behind the screen, then go home and watch them again. Share these films with friends who weren't lucky enough to make it to one of our 38 shows this summer.
CELEBRATE ELECTION NIGHT WITH ROOFTOP FILMS AND STRANGER THAN FICTION!
Monday, November 3, 2008 | 12:58 PM
This 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 people.
Director Shola Lynch in Attendance
Before the films, we will be showing the final episode of Sparrow '08. Produced by Rumur Inc. and Rooftop Films, Sparrow '08 is comprised of six webisodes chronicling Sparrow's hilarious 2008 non-campaign, from his heaven-sent inspiration, to his rousing appearance in front of thousands, to his desperate attempts to keep genuine activists from voting for him.
Watch the comedic documentary series about Sparrow at www.sparrowforprez.com.
Sparrow and co-director Michael Galinsky will be in attendance.
An after party follows at Fat Black Pussycat, where we will all go to watch the election results.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
CHISHOLM 72: UNBOUGHT AND UNBOSSED
35 years before Obama and Hillary Clinton, Shirley Chisholm ran for president of the United States.
Venue: IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue (Between 15th and 16th Streets, Manhattan)
Directions: A, B, C, D, E, F or V to W. 4th Street
8:00 PM: Film Begins
9:30 PM: Watch the election results at Fat Black Pussycat
Tickets: $15.00
INTERVIEW WITH ETHAN CLARKE,
DIRECTOR OF "PRINCESS"
Monday, November 3, 2008 | 10:33 AM
PRINCESS (Ethan Clarke | 7:05 | Animation)
A likely story of an unbreakable friendship between a woman and her cat. We need them. Do they really need us?
Q&A
Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film: What was your inspiration?
Ethan Clarke: I attempted to write 'Princess' after reading a blurb in the newspaper about an old woman who was found dead in her apartment. The police discovered several bite marks on her that they concluded were from her cat. Her cat was found emaciated but still alive. The whole story fleshed itself out immediately in my mind.
RF: Is there anything you'd like to share about the film that might not be immediately apparent (your conception of the film, backstory, production methods, etc.)?
EC: I ended up using a little bit of every production program i have. I liked being able to utilize my limited knowledge of 3D animation for creation of the backgrounds.
RF: Any interesting stories about the production? Any particular difficulties or serendipitous events or pleasant/unpleasant surprises?
EC: One morning I woke up to find my laptop in a pool of liquid. There were no tipped over cups or anything nearby. I was devastated. I had been sleep walking all week, one night my roomate said I had walked into his room naked while he was with his girlfriend. To this day I don't know what happened but there's a possibility that I urinated on it while sleep walking. That was quite a set back. I lost a lot. Most of the files for 'Princess' had been backed up however and after collecting myself and purchasing a new machine, I was able to continue. I back up my work all the time now. And I work on a tower computer which bares less resemblance to a toilet.
RF: Do you have a pet? Do you have any stories about your favorite pet?
EC: I currently live petless in San Francisco. I feel like i should have a good answer for this one. Pets make good cartoon characters. There's this cartoon called 'Princess' that's a good pet story.
RF: Do you prefer cats above dogs?
EC: I prefer Dogs because cats seem more indifferent to our well being.
RF: Are you a full-time filmmaker? If not, what else are you up to?
EC: I work full time in a bicycle repair shop. The owner rented me the back of the shop which happens to be a full one bedroom apartment with a back yard. On slow days when it is raining I can open the "employees only" door and my bedroom door, and work on my computer while keeping an eye on the bike shop.
RF: What is your current/next project?
EC: I'm currently working on a piece about godlessness. 'Wind in the Willows' meets Richard Dawkins in space, on acid. That's the quick description. It follows the life of a tadpole as he watches his friends mostly die off. He becomes a frog which is quite an accomplishment for tadpoles. Some tadpoles might even consider frogs the gods of their species, with the ability to leave the water's surface like they do. One of the characters can been seen on the main page of www.mega-beast.com
RF: If you've been to a Rooftop show, how was the experience?
EC: I loved coming out to New York and hanging on a roof with the Rooftop squad they are such a nice group of people. Some of my old friends including Amy Seimetz, the co-writer of 'princess', live in New York now so I ended up hanging out with a big crew. Seeing my own drawings and hearing my own voice-over projected out over Brooklyn was exhilarating. I haven't been able to get to most of the festivals 'Princess' has been a part of, but Rooftop, I had to attend.
RF: What excites you about having your short film on Rooftop Films at IFC.com?
EC: I just like getting it out there so more people can see it. I'm glad there's a place like IFC.com where one can thumb through work by up and coming film artists.
RF: Do you have any questions for the viewers? We hope they'll post comments!
EC: Do you have any stories about your favorite pet?
ROOFTOP RECAP - Indie Horror Night
with Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers!
Thursday, October 30, 2008 | 12:30 PM
On Wednesday, October 29th, Rooftop Films returned to Chelsea Market for the first of three off-season shows. This being Halloween week, we screened a madcap selection of independent horror shorts from around the world. Needless to say, it was a harrowing and bone-chilling event.
Before the films, Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers played an energetic live set, all done up in face paint and robed in the vestments of the undead. Approximately 350 people packed the house.
Many thanks to Metalbelly Michael Ginsberg from Chelsea Market for all his help, to Shilpa Ray and her Happy Hookers for a rollicking performance, and to Dana Vessa and Radeberger for the beer!
Want some more Horror action? Check out Program Director Dan Nuxoll's top five underrated independent horror films on Flavorwire HERE!
FREE SHOW! ROOFTOP FILMS PRESENTS
INDIE HORROR NIGHT AT CHELSEA MARKET!
OCT. 29TH, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 | 10:59 AM
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008, 7:00 PM
On Wednesday, August 29th, Rooftop Films returns to Chelsea Market for a FREE screening of independent horror shorts from around the world. There will be surreal shorts about creepy drifters, terrifying thrillers about devious science experiments, nightmarish films featuring practical jokes gone bad, and also a few amusing films about ghostly Shetland Ponies and undead mariachi bands.
Before the films, Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers will be performing their mysterious music live, and throughout the show we will have free bottles of beer courtesy of Radeberger Pilsner, so grab your Lil' Wayne wig, sexy bunny costumes, or Sarah Palin glasses and head over to Rooftop's pre-Halloween screening party.
Free Radeberger Pilsner for all in attendance (must be 21 to drink)
Venue: Chelsea Market
Address: 75 9th Ave (Between 15th and 16th Streets, Manhattan)
Directions: A, C, E, or L to 14th Street and 8th Ave
7:30 PM: Live Music by Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers
8:00 PM : Independent Horror shorts
Admission: Free!
Made in NY announces 12th class of available PAs!
Monday, October 27, 2008 | 9:00 AM
Brooklyn Workforce Innovations and the New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting are proud to announce the certification of the twelfth class of "Made in NY" PAs. Since the program's inception in February 2006, "Made in NY" has graduated 149 production assistants.
The "Made in NY" PAs program offers an intensive four-week training program taught by NY industry professionals. This time around, trainees worked with some illustrious guest instructors including Becky Chin, Roni Wheeler, Marcia Mule, Eva Radke, Joy Lane, Jason "Rowdy" Rody, Becky Morrison, Tom Gaito, Kofi Candela and Gina Cascino. Included in the training were frequent visits to vendors and studios such as Rooftop partners Eastern Effects, Silvercup Studios and The Martha Stewart Show, where students had the chance to put their newly learned skills to use. Before certification, trainees must demonstrate their aptitutde by working on actual productions, shooting on location and in studios around NYC. Cycle 12 interned on many different projects including "Loveless", "No Love in the City", "One Angry Man", "How to Make it in America" and "The Electric Company".
It's easy to hire a "Made in NY" PA. The staff can arrange interviews or direct placements, several weeks in advance or at a moment's notice. Contact the 24 hour hiring hotline 718-757-5816.
Please also take a moment to check out the NEW website www.bwiny.org
A few years ago, Rooftop Films helped the Fifth Avenue Committee to design this program, and we strongly encourage our filmmakers to seek out the Made in NY PAs.
RURAL ROUTE FILMS - OCTOBER 17-19
AT ANTHOLOGY FILM ARCHIVES
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | 4:47 PM
Since 2005, Rooftop Films has been proud to collaborate with the enchanting Rural Route Film Festival, an urban fest dedicated to showing the greener side of life. We've hosted selections from Rural Route during our Summer Series, and collaborated on screenings at their festival. Now Co-Founder Alan Webber is preparing to embark on a year-long, world wide Rural Route tour--The Year of the Nomad--jetsetting to major cities and strolling down country lanes to find and show the world's most idyllic cinema.
This weekend, catch this amazing festival one last time in NYC!
THE RURAL ROUTE FILM FESTIVAL
Friday-Sunday, October 17-19
at Anthology Film Archives
& Scandinavia House
FREE PBR
FREE ORGANIC VALLEY STRING CHEESE
FREE BOOKS FROM LONELY PLANET
Scandinavia House
58 Park Ave. (@ 38th St.)
ickets available by phone (212) 847-9737
http://www.scandinaviahouse.org/
Anthology Film Archives
32 2nd Ave. (@ 2nd St.)
http://www.anthologyfilmarchives.org
SCHEDULE - ANTHOLOGY
Fri., Oct. 17 @ 7:30PM
& Sat., Oct. 18 @ 8:30PM
"Best of Rural Route Short Films"
DVD Launch Party
The world premiere of Rural Route's new "Best of" dvd! Join Rural Route as we launch the new DVD that will sail the seven seas on the worldwide "Nomad" Tour throughout 2009 (subtitled in Spanish & French). Come pick up your own copy! The program features 13 of the very best shorts from 5 years of Rural Route. This includes award-winning documentaries, experimental films, narratives, and music videos. Stories about bear hunters, Siberian folk artists, dental farmers, dancing tractors, and racing lawnmowers! Movies from the driest desert, the snowiest mountains, the greenest fields, and more!
Fri., Oct. 17 @ 9:30PM
"Big Dead Place" - Films from Antarctica by Nicholas Johnson
While periodically working on contract as a garbageman in Antarctica, Nicholas Johnson has been writing and making short films about his time on the ice. Come witness an insider's view on the bizarre culture and mesmerizing scenery of the famed McMurdo Research Station, which Werner Herzog visited in his most recent "Encounters at the End of the World".
Sat., Oct. 18 @ 6:30PM
"Arica Nativa" - Freak Films From the Chilean Andes
Rural Route's first stop on the "Nomad" Tour will be in Arica, Chile, surrounded by the Atacoma Desert (the driest place in the world). This program of films comes from our sister rural festival in Arica, and features a fascinating, experimental look into indigenous culture in the Andes.
Sun., Oct. 19 @ 4:30PM
"Go Organic!" - Healthy Foods Short Film Program
You are what you eat...so you'd better start paying attention to what exactly that is! These short selections from RR's popular new wave agricultural program provide a refreshing education on the current state of farming, and point out positive sustainable and organic practices from the Midwest to Cuba that you can take part in.
Sun., Oct. 19 @ 6:30PM
"Rural Kiwi" - Films From the New Zealand Film Archive
Rural Route also has a scheduled stop in Wellington, NZ in March of 2009. This program of films has been co-curated by Mark Williams of the New Zealand Film Archive. This program features a fun, campy farm education film from the 50s, a short about a hunter who is haunted by dead animals, and a modern Maori race car demolition derby!
SCHEDULE - SCANDINAVIA HOUSE
Saturday, October 18, 3PM
"That Special Summer" ("Kid Svensk") (Finland, Sweden)
Directed by Nanna Huolman, 2007. This award-winning film explores the extreme highs and lows of a Finnish girl growing up in 1980s Sweden. Headstrong 12-year-old Kirsi, known as Kid, has assimilated perfectly into school life in Gothenburg, but her widowed mother, Ester, lives in a Finnish cocoon, refusing to learn Swedish or partake in the local culture. When Ester decides to start a restaurant back in Finland with the help of an old beau, Kid becomes increasingly agitated, lashing out in protest. In the end, this touching drama portrays a girl not only coming to grips with a difficult mother/daughter relationship and the meaning of "home," but also her foray into first love. 85 min. Presented by the Consulate General of Finland & the Consulate General of Sweden.
VOTE ROOFTOP FILMS
IN THE VILLAGE VOICE "BEST OF NY" POLL
Thursday, October 2, 2008 | 12:06 PM
Rooftop Films has never cared too much about awards (we don't give them out ourselves), but winning a Village Voice "Best of NY" poll would be pretty cool.
So go online and vote for Rooftop Films as "Best Local Arts Organization."
Vote here:
http://www.villagevoice.com/readerspoll
Newspaper ballots and online ballots must be submitted or received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
Rooftop Music: CHAIRLIFT to Play Closing Night!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 | 3:22 PM
Friday, 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!
ROOFTOP PROGRAMMERS AT APEXART
Cell Phone Videos: Screening and Discussion
Monday, September 22, 2008 | 4:33 PM
apexart
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 and capture a larger message about a city's ethos. With contributions by Maiju Ahlgren, Brian Alfred, Dave Bennett, Dmitry Bulnygin, Sean Capone, Pierre Yves Clouin, Daria Dorosh, Juliana Forero, Marcus Hansson, Kristen Jensen, Alex Katsenelinboigen, Mollie Murphy, Wayne Pyle, Wendy Richmond, Kathryn Sabatini, Reza Safavi, Ronan Sharkey, Rudy Shepherd, Vitamin Green, Linda Weiss.
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER ANDREW BERENDS
STILL DETAINED IN NIGERIA
Saturday, September 6, 2008 | 10:18 AM
Another 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 be held illegally without an agent of the American government visiting him to ascertain his safety and the conditions of his custody and to make it crystal clear that the U.S. government is advocating in no uncertain terms for his release.
It does not appear that the State Department has done enough to be in constant communication with the Nigerian Government to apply pressure or even get accurate information about Andrew's status and well-being. If what they are doing is more than minimal, that has not been made clear to us, Andrew's advocates. Nor has it been getting any apparent results. Too many days have passed with no shift in Andrew's circumstances and no coordinated or decisive action on the part of the State Department to shift things.
Andrew entered the country legally as a filmmaker and journalist. He was filming in a public place in a country that claims to be a democracy when he was arrested. He was not filming oil facilities or the military, which are the only two subjects the Nigerian government has deemed to be sensitive. We have been told that on the day he was detained, Andrew even asked and was granted permission by a military official prior to filming.
Andrew reported to us that during the first 36 hours of his detainment, he was interrogated nonstop with no sleep. He was denied food and given barely any water. He does not have the benefit of legal representation inside the SSS facility and has been forced repeatedly to make coerced statements.
This is the fourth incident of American journalists being held in Nigeria within the past two years. It is now a pattern. It is evident that there has been no legitimate reason for the treatment these American citizens have endured. Rather, these incidents are intended to suppress journalism. They are a blatant attempt by the Nigerian government to cover up the evidence of years of human rights and environmental abuses and discourage others from coming to expose the poverty, injustice and corruption rampant in the region. We call on the U.S. government to speak out against this.
We urge our Congressional representatives to let the State Department know that the legislative branch they serve and answer to will not stand by and let more hours of inaction pass. In a country like Nigeria and a region like the Niger Delta, things can change in an instant. It is dangerous to assume that Andrew is OK and give in to the platitude that "these things take time." This situation must be elevated to the highest level of urgency. We must press strongly and continuously for Andrew's immediate release and safe escort out of the country.
Because journalists working in foreign countries often depend on local assistants and translators to do their work, make themselves understood, and keep safe, we are particularly distressed that Samuel George, the Nigerian national who works as a translator with Andrew Berends, was also detained by the Nigerian Military. We have had no word of his condition since his arrest, and we are deeply concerned that Samuel may be experiencing harsh treatment at the hands of the Nigerian government. It is imperative that Samuel George also be released immediately, and that there be no further intimidation and harassment of media workers by the Nigerian government.
Please click HERE to read about how you can help Andrew.
ROOFTOP ALUM ANDREW BERENDS
DETAINED IN NIGERIA
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 | 8:15 PM
Troubling 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 confiscated his passport and personal property. Andrew has been returned to sleep in his rented room each night after the initial 36 hours, but then re-detained each morning. Andrew's translator, Samuel George, has not been released at night and has remained in custody since Sunday.
The US State Department is aware of the situation, and an attorney has been retained on Andrew's behalf. Reporters without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists have issued statements condemning Andrew's arrest. We, Andrew's friends, family, and colleagues, are deeply concerned that he has been held without cause and are calling for his safe treatment and immediate release.
For the latest updates on the situation, including a portrait of Andy and his work, go to:
http://helpandy.wordpress.com/
*************ACTION ALERT!**************
We would like all readers who are U.S. citizens, whether living in the U.S. or abroad, to contact their congressional representatives to raise political pressure on this issue.
Phone Script for Elected Officials:
* As a constituent and a concerned citizen, I wanted to bring your attention to the news that American journalist Andrew Berends has been arrested by the Nigerian government while working on a documentary.
* Nigeria enjoys the highest level of diplomatic relations with the United States, and for an American journalist to be detained without representation and subjected to coercive questioning is both highly inappropriate and illegal.
* We ask you to make known your awareness and concern about this matter, contact your colleagues, and work to ensure the good treatment and speedy release of Andrew Berends and his interpreter from Nigerian custody.
-------
We would like everyone to call both their own local representatives and also the two Senators from New York State. When talking with New York reps, please add that Andrew is a New Yorker.
The contact information for NY senators Clinton and Schumer is:
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY)- 202-224-6542
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)- 202-224-4451
Your local representatives' contacts may be found here: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress
Please forward this call to action to anyone you think could help by making a call to their representatives and the NY senators.
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - July 25-26
ANIMATION, FAMILY DRAMA, AND A VISIT FROM THE PRESIDENT
Monday, July 28, 2008 | 3:48 PM
FRIDAY: 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 bit more about this amazing school, where students can grow crops on school grounds and convert your car to bio-diesel, all right in the heart of hipster Williamsburg.
At intermission, Rooftop hosted a public rally for Sparrow, a real live cartoonish presidential candidate. Sparrow's 5th attempt NOT to win the presidency had never before reached so many people, and though he seemed a bit overwhelmed, he also overwhelmed the masses. Screening some of his non-campaign commercials--"The Wisdom of Sparrow"--delivering a unique anti-speech, and engaging in lengthy rambling discourses trying to convince eager supporters to run the other way, Sparrow was a huge hit.
SPARROW AT ROOFTOP FILMS
And, of course, the focus of the evening was the dozens of short animated films, which had the animated audience giggling, gasping and gawking all night long, curated and hosted by the tireless Casey Saffron. After the films, the crowd packed in Matchless Bar for free drinks courtesy of Radeburger Pilsner. As a mid-summer peak for Rooftop, and the kick-off for the weekend-long ABP screenings, we couldn't've rocked a bigger or better night.
SATURDAY: In A Dream at The Old American Can Factory
Despite being a Philadelphia film, the New York premiere of Jeremiah Zagar's stunning documentary In A Dream drew a massive and enthusiastic crowd. Again, we had to set up two screens to accommodate the approximately 600 people who roamed out to The Old American Can Factory to watch the infamous Zagar family on screen. The show started with live music, presented in partnership with Sound Fix Records, and we were really thrilled to have a gorgeous set from Kelli Scarr, who composed the score for the film. The captivating documentary about a family falling apart and rebuilding themselves--using art as part of the rehabilitative process--had the audience completely enraptured.
Ironically, Jeremiah's parents and brother couldn't attend the screening because of a big family reunion. "I'm in the doghouse for missing it," Jeremiah said during the Q & A. But when asked if it was hard exposing his family like this and continuing filming, Jeremiah said, "My friends all think I'm pretentious because I keep quoting Diane Arbus, but it's fitting. She said, 'As long as I've got the camera in front of my face, a tank could roll over me.'" The elated crowd was thrilled that Jeremiah and his family had the courage to let that tank--and camera--roll.
Following the film, hundreds of folks hung out in the outdoor courtyard, dancing and drinking free drinks, courtesy of Brooklyn Oenology, completing another magical weekend at Rooftop.
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - July 18-19
ANOTHER HOT WEEKEND AT ROOFTOP FILMS
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 | 1:42 PM
FRIDAY: RURAL ROUTE SHORT FILMS
Friday Night temperatures were still hovering in the 90s, which often dampens people's spirit for going out. But we had yet another huge crowd at Rooftop Films, as people packed the lawn at Automotive High School to cool off in the pastoral grass for our annual collaboration with the Rural Route Film Festival.
Sound Fix Records helped book Goddamn Rattlesnake a wild acoustic indie honky tonk band, who playfully batted each other around the head as they flicked bugs from each other's faces in between songs. A big group of people sat right up at their feet, kicking off the energetic vibe for the evening. It's great to see so many folks enthusiastic for the live music at our shows!
Normally our collaboration with Rural Route highlights the pastoral peace of country living, but this year we were celebrating the rougher side of the rural life, and burning rubber in the rural route. People were hooting and hollering throughout the evening, and we almost got a riotous ball game going, inspired by
The Hardest Goal.
Filmmaker Max Finneran, who directed the opening short Pumpkin Hell was in the crowd, and had some kind things to say in an email the next day:
"The screening looked and sounded fantastic--frankly a lot better then many indoor festivals I've been to. I kind of underestimated how cool it would be to see my movie outside! And with 400 plus out on a hot sweaty night it was a great experience. I also thought the programming line-up was a really solid collection of shorts--nice and diverse with unexpected, original ways of defining "rural route," the cornerstone of it all being that little Outhouse horror show that capped the night off."
SATURDAY: INDUSTRIANCE - THE LIVELONG DAY (Short Films)
One of the most rewarding things we do as programmers is take a challenging theme and find a solid and intelligent set of films that form an entertaining and informative program. On Saturday, Rooftop Films continued our collaboration with XO Projects Inc. and our INDUSTRIANCE series, programs about the changing landscape in industry, architecture, agriculture, labor, and related fields, and the ways those changes affect individual lives. Making such a concept personal and engaging is difficult, but the hundreds of people who came out on Saturday were enthralled by the diverse selection of films about labor.
In part, that may be because we had in the program two of the most perfect films for our festival: City of Cranes a perspective-shifting documentary about crane operators, and Behind The Glass, a film that focuses on the passion of outdoor film projectionists. There's really nothing at other festivals or screenings that can compare to seeing films like those on rooftops, outdoors--where the films and the venue and the view all come together to make a magical, memorable event. With filmmakers Gabriel Rhodes and Jesse Epstein (director of 34x25x36) in attendance, what seemed like a relatively low-key Rooftop show turned into another spectacular evening.
Welcome to the Rooftop Films Blog on IFC.com!
Friday, May 2, 2008 | 12:00 PM
Watch short films and read about all things related to Rooftop. Look for:
+ Film Notes: Read insightful thoughts about the films, and exclusive interviews with the filmmakers. Post a comment or question to join the discussion.
+ Weekend Recaps: On-The-Roof reporting, giving you a sense of the scene at all our shows. Comment here to tell us about your Rooftop experience.
+ Rooftop News: The latest word about upcoming Rooftop events, and updates about Rooftop alumni filmmakers and bands.
+ And much more!
For those of you who know don't know much about Rooftop Films, we are a non-profit film festival and production collective that has been screening and producing independent films since 1997. To read more about us, this blog, and our partnership with IFC, jump down to here.
We'll be posting 100 films between now and the end of 2008--3 a week, every week--so bookmark the page and check back in daily to watch great films and read about all of the things going on with our festival and in the indie-film world.
Rooftop Films--Underground Movies Outdoors and Online.
Check out www.rooftopfilms.com for more information about our shows and other programs.
About the Rooftop Films Blog on IFC.com
Thursday, May 1, 2008 | 12:39 PM
For 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 over the last twelve years, and the work we show includes everything from award-winning films and world premieres by established filmmakers, to home videos by amateur and part-time film enthusiasts.
Though we are best known for our spectacular outdoor shows, Rooftop Films is more than just a festival--we are a film community. We believe that we have a responsibility to bring filmmakers, artists and musicians together with one another and with our audiences, and we believe that independent films flourish when they get out of the indie-plexes and art-house theaters and work their way into the lives and communities of people all over the world.
Of course, that is why we show films outdoors--but that is also why we are so excited to have partnered with IFC.com to bring many of our favorite short films to the internet. Too many fantastic short films never reach the audience they deserve, and even the best and luckiest of them tend to make their way through the film festival circuit and then disappear from the public eye completely. By partnering with IFC.com, Rooftop Films can keep these films alive and bring them to thousands of new people who don't get the chance to see them at festivals.
There is much talk about how well-suited the internet is for showing short films, but so many of the internet video portals are filled with clips from TV shows and battles between wildebeests and lions. Of course, we love some of those clips, too, but the Rooftop Films page offers a quality, curated alternative to the anarchy of YouTube. We receive more than 2,000 submissions every year, and all of the films we select for IFC.com are chosen from the most extraordinary works in our library of shorts, so these films are truly the best of the best. Our goal is to create a virtual place where viewers can peruse hundreds of films in all different genres so that they can get a sense of the truly ground-breaking work being done all over the world.
And now that we also have a blog on IFC.com, the information doesn't just have to flow one way. All year long, we will be posting interviews and other bits of information about the films we select, and we highly encourage you all to respond with comments and questions for us and for the filmmakers who have made these films. We'll answer your queries, and create an online community that captures the enthusiastic spirit of our live shows.
We'll be posting 100 films between now and the end of 2008--3 a week, every week--so bookmark the page and check back in daily to watch great films and read about all of the things going on with our festival and in the indie-film world.
Rooftop Films--Underground Movies Outdoors and Online.
Check out www.rooftopfilms.com for more information about our shows and other programs.
Categories
- About Rooftop Films and This Blog
- Animation
- Call For Entries
- Comedy
- Documentary
- Drama
- Environmental Films
- Home Movies
- Personal Narrative
- Political Films
- Rooftop Filmmakers
- Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund
- Rooftop Music
- Rooftop News
- Rooftop Weekend Recap
- Sparrow
- Watch Short Films
Ongoing Coversations
- ROOFTOP ALUMS AT SUNDANCE 1 comments
-
INTERVIEW WITH JIM AND DIANE DOWNER,
DIRECTORS OF "COMPOST" 0 comments -
INTERVIEW WITH CECELIA CONDIT,
DIRECTOR OF "LITTLE SPIRITS" 0 comments -
INTERVIEW WITH GREGORY KING,
DIRECTOR OF "MANHATTAN CANYON" 0 comments -
INTERVIEW WITH DALLAS PENN,
CO-WRITER AND STAR OF "CHECKMATE" 2 comments
Most Commented
Most Recommended
- MEERKAT MEDIA MIXER / FUNDRAISER SAT., NOV. 15, 8-11PM @ DCTV (1)
- wawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawa: AN EVENING OF INSANE SHORT FILMS by ROOFTOP ALUM zZalgern0n (0)
- INTERVIEW WITH BECKY JAMES, DIRECTOR OF "SNAKE" (0)
- INTERVIEW WITH YLVA FORNER, DIRECTOR OF "POLVO (DUST)" (0)
- ROOFTOP MUSIC: THE QUAVERS, FUGAZI & VIC CHESNUTT ON A ROOF IN VIENNA, INSPIRED BY JEM COHEN (0)
- ROOFTOP MUSIC: FRANCES RELEASES DEBUT FULL-LENGTH ALBUM (0)
- INTERVIEW WITH BRYAN WIZEMANN, DIRECTOR OF "THE MORNING SUN" (0)
- INTERVIEW WITH E.S. WOCHENSKY, DIRECTOR OF "SHINER!" (0)
- INTERVIEW WITH ETHAN CLARKE, DIRECTOR OF "PRINCESS" (0)
- AN EVENING WITH DON HERTZFELDT! WED., NOV. 19TH AT THE IFC CENTER. (0)