Rooftop Films, a pioneer in the field of open-air movie screenings, just announced this summer's lineup, which kicks off in two weeks and features over 45 movies screened in 10 outdoor venues throughout the city. As always, the lineup includes an eclectic batch of independent films, ranging from cutting-edge shorts to participatory documentaries to award-winning favorites. A handful of screenings will also include live music and after parties—all the ingredients for a perfect summer night.
To celebrate the opening weekend of their 21st year—"we're legal, but not playing it safe," a press release reads—a special short film program on Friday will highlight "stories from the moral grey zone," followed by a dance party on the terrace of The Old American Can Factory. On Saturday, House of Vans will host a free preview of the 2017 Sundance hit Band Aid, along with a cast Q&A and live band performance. Here's a clip from Band Aid:
The flicks continue through August, with both free and ticketed screenings at different rooftops at least twice a week. Some highlights include Michael Showalter's The Big Sick, the SXSW-winning film The Work, and a night of locally-made shorts called New York Nonfiction. Here's the rest of the films, with some dates and venues TBA. More info can be found at Rooftop Films.
This is What We Mean by Short Films | Friday, May 19, 2017
On the roof of The Old American Can Factory. 232 Third St. Brooklyn
Band Aid (Zoe Lister-Jones) | Saturday, May 20, 2017
Outdoors at House of Vans. 25 Franklin St. Brooklyn
The Bad Batch (Ana Lily Amirpour)
Beach Rats (Eliza Hittman)
The Big Sick (Michael Showalter)
Brigsby Bear (Dave McCary) | Friday, June 30, 2017
On the roof of New Design High School. 350 Grand St. Manhattan
The Cage Fighter (Jeff Unay) | Friday, June 23, 2017
On the roof of The Old American Can Factory. 232 Third St. Brooklyn
California Dreams (Mike Ott)
The Challenge (Yuri Ancarani) | Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Outdoors at Socrates Sculpture Park. 32-01 Vernon Blvd. Queens.
Dayveon (Amman Abbasi)
Dina (Dan Sickles, Antonio Santini)
The Genius and the Opera Singer (Vanessa Stockley) | Saturday, May 27, 2017
On the roof of New Design High School. 350 Grand St. Manhattan
The Incredible Jessica James (Jim Strouse) | Tuesday, July 25, 2017
On the roof of The William Vale. 111 N 12th St. Brooklyn
L.A. Times (Michelle Morgan)
The Maribor Uprisings: A Live Participatory Documentary (Maple J. Rasza, Milton Guillén) | Friday, June 16, 2017
Outdoors at Metrotech Commons. 5 Metrotech Center. Brooklyn
Menashe (Joshua Z Weinstein)
Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators (Ema Ryan Yamazaki) | Tuesday, August 8, 2017
On the roof of the JCC in Manhattan. 334 Amsterdam Ave. Manhattan
Mr. Roosevelt (Noël Wells) | Saturday, June 17, 2017
On the roof of New Design High School. 350 Grand St. Manhattan
Quest (Jonathan Olshefski)
Rat Film (Theo Anthony) | Friday, June 2, 2017
On the roof of The Old American Can Factory. 232 Third St. Brooklyn
The Road Movie (Dmitrii Kalashnikov)
Rough Night (Lucia Aniello) | Wednesday, June 14, 2017
On the roof of The William Vale. 111 N 12th St. Brooklyn
The Strange Ones (Lauren Wolkstein, Christopher Radcliff)
Whose Streets? (Sabaah Folayan, Damon Davis) | Friday, July 7, 2017
The Work (Jairus McLeary, Gethin Aldous)
Animation Block Party | Thursday, July 27, 2017
In the courtyard of Industry City. 274 36 St. Brooklyn
Dark Toons: Animated Short Films | Saturday, June 3, 2017
On the roof of New Design High School. 350 Grand St. Manhattan
Love is Short: Romantic Short Films | Tuesday, May 30, 2017
On the roof of The William Vale. 111 N 12th St. Brooklyn
The New American Paradise: Short Films | Thursday, May 25, 2017
Outdoors at Metrotech Commons. 5 Metrotech Center. Brooklyn
New York Nonfiction | Friday, June 9, 2017
On the roof of New Design High School. 350 Grand St. Manhattan
Rooftop Shots | Saturday, August 20, 2017
In the courtyard of Industry City. 274 36 St. Brooklyn