As I wrote the other day, Rooftop Films and IFP are proud to be working together to support all aspects of independent film–from exhibition all the way back through production. IFP does an admirable job at helping films get made, and have an outstanding track record of bringing fantastic films through their Labs. And when […]

One of the most beautiful shows Rooftop Films ever hosted was our 2007 edition of Dark ‘Toons. The astonishing animator Brent Green showed his films and played live music with Brooklyn locals The Quavers. They are a band whose sound and focus is very much in line with Rooftop–quiet and surprisingly intricate songs about drifting […]

[This is the complete article originally published on March 13, 2008.] Late last night, after jumping from IFC’s My Morning Jacket / Yo La Tengo concert to the wide-open SXSW Closing Night party and finally onto Joel Heller‘s birthday, I wound up at the Magnolia diner, eating scrambled eggs and discussing scrambled documentaries. I was […]

This seems like a good Leap Day Post, a dangerously funny “translation” of a Bollywood musical. “My loony bun is fine, Benny Lava.” Crazy Indian Video…Buffalaxed! on FunnyOrDie.com “Have you been high today?”

Rooftop Films is more than a film festival–we are a community, and we aim to provide more than just a screening for our filmmakers. Obviously, we want to have their films seen by new, large audiences at our shows, but we also want to help the films be seen elsewhere–at other festivals, on our TV […]

In 11 years, Rooftop has now shown over 1,400 films. Casimir Nozkowski has shown about a dozen, more films than anyone else (or at least the 2nd most; Steve Collins has also shown about that many–statistics from the early days are a little hazy. Historians are arguing over original program note documents now stored at […]

I almost never agree with the Academy Awards, but 3 of the 4 nominees for Best Documentary Short Film played at Rooftop Films in 2007–Freeheld (Directed by Cynthia Wade), Salim Baba (Tim Sternberg) and Sari’s Mother (James Longley)–so you know I agreed with those choices.   I’m thrilled that Brooklyn native Cynthia Wade (below, right) […]

Rooftop Films has announced the recipients of the 2007-08 Filmmakers’ Fund Short Film Grant. See below! Rooftop Films is more than a film festival–we are a collaborative community of filmmakers, audience, venues and neighborhoods. One of our most innovative programs is The Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund, a slate of grants given to selected filmmakers whose work […]

For some people, it takes a few days to acclimate to the cold and the altitude of Park City. For me, it takes a few days to acclimate to “normal” life after Sundance and Slamdance. I wake up panicked that I’ve slept through some 8:30am screening. I walk down a busy street confused as to […]

WE URGE YOU TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT MNN,PUBLIC ACCESS TV & COMMUNITY MEDIA THURS. FEB. 7th from 3-7pm! INFO Rooftop Films has a TV show on Manhattan Neighborhood Network, and the fate of our show, and of community media in New York City, is at stake. As you may know, MNN, the Public Access […]