Short Film Program

This is What We Mean by Short Films: Opening Night 2022

For 26 years, Rooftop has celebrated the start of the summer with the best shorts of the past year. Come party with us at the cemetery!

PLEASE NOTE: This event is sold out online, but limited standby will be available at the door after 8:45 PM.

$16

SOLD OUT

Sat May 21 7:45 PM

Get your eyes ready and your ears perked: we’re back with an explosive line-up of films to kickstart the season! With our 26th Summer Series, we’re here to remind you that anything is possible. Tennis balls will experience existential angst, long-haired final bosses will battle reedy demons, an amiable ice-cream man will be spitting flows, and a city bus driver will spend his nights dancing in the most famous coliseum on earth. The evening’s bold and uniquely touching films will carry you through kaleidoscopic scenes of Porto, serenade you with melodies of the Cordilleran highlands, and leave you alone in Sicily yearning for a light. With live music from J. Hoard before the films, a performance by the New York Liberty’s Timeless Torches following the films, and an after party in the cemetery to end the night, we plan to start off the summer in grand fashion. We hope you can be a part of it.

The Films

Bestia

Hugo Covarrubias | Chile | 16

Based on true events, Bestia explores the life of a secret police agent during the military dictatorship in Chile. Her relationship with her dog, her body, her fears and frustrations reveals a grim fracture of her mind and of the country.

Favorite Daughter

Dana Reilly | US | 19

Favorite Daughter is an intimate portrait of my grandmother Sylvia Weinstock and my mother Janet Isa, sheltering in place together in a lower Manhattan apartment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sylvia was living alone for the first time in her life when after her partner of 69 years, my grandpa, Ben, passed away. Then her youngest daughter, Janet, moved in. This short documentary is both raw and charming, melancholy and funny—a portrait of two women with vastly different experiences coming together and supporting one another through the uncertainty of spending the next chapters of their lives “alone,” without a partner.

The Headhunter's Daughter

Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan | Philippines | 15

Lynn, an aspiring country singer, and July, her trusty brown horse, endure an arduous descent along the Cordilleran highlands to make it on time to the city for the audition of her dreams. Her journey leads her on a path where her indigenous identity is confronted by the unseen forces of the landscape’s colonial American past.

Hotel Kalura

Sophie Koko Gate | UK | 5

A woman walks into a hotel bar on the romantic island of Sicily, waiting to be lit.

The Hork

Nicole Stafford | US | 4

A demon seeks out the god of Power-Unrecognized deep in her labyrinthine chambers. Upon reaching her lair, the demon must consume her power quickly before she wakes and seeks her revenge. Will he make it? Or will his body inevitably nurture the formidable ego that sleeps in this space?

I Scream, You Scream

Ashley Brandon | US | 9

A hybrid documentary following Geron, aka Showtime, who sells ice cream but longs to revisit his days in music as a DJ. After a perplexing dream, Geron embarks on a quest to connect with his musically-inclined son, Anthony, in hopes of creating music ice cream lovers — and the world — will love.

One euro to jump now

Noemi Sjöberg | Spain, Sweden | 4

In Porto, youngsters are jumping from different heights while they are surrounded, invaded by tourism. Some of them make a small profit out of this situation. Like a souvenir box, the images roll vertically with the manipulated soundtrack of a music box. Traveling in this unconscious way, polluting with millions of air travel is affecting the planet and our species in all its social, economic, ecological and political dimensions. Mass tourism can not return, the toy is broken.

Quitting Time

Cameron Yates | US | 8

A city bus driver’s shift ends—but even after Luis clocks out, he fills his hours with an extracurricular activity that keeps him on the move.

Tennis Ball on His Day Off

Julian Glander | US | 3

It's the last day before a new tennis season begins. Our protagonist, a tennis ball, leaves a voicemail for his grandmother, a 10-pound bowling ball. The tennis ball goes about his day - watching youtube videos running errands, chatting with strangers, and drawing muscle cars. Over the course of a few minutes, we get a look into the mind of an everyday object who is slowly becoming aware of his own limits and impending uselessness.

Performer

A D A I R

A D A I R is a Brooklyn based DJ and event producer. As a co-curator of production houses Haute Sauce and Rules Don’t Apply, they work to amplify the voices and visibility of women, POC, and the queer community through the creation of consistent and intentional safe spaces. Their eclectic and unique sound can be described as a mix of house-inspired R&B and Soul, Afro-Latino funk, yesterday’s classics, and today’s hits with a twist.

J. Hoard

J. Hoard is a Brooklyn-based artist. In one performance you are given the core of the Black church and the allure of “The Great White Way” (Broadway). His original compositions and arrangements easily shift genres to articulate his vivid songwriting. This eclecticism has yielded songwriting collaborations with artists such as Black Coffee on his Grammy-winning Subconsciously album, Chance the Rapper (on his Grammy-winning Coloring Book album), Brasstracks, and hip-hop royalty Jean Grae & Quelle Chris. Additionally, he has worked closely with a host of jazz/experimental artists such as Kassa Overall, Jose James, TheLessonGK, and music legend Meshell Ndegeocello (singer on her Grammy-nominated Ventriloquism album).

The Timeless Torches

The Timeless Torches show that you don’t have to be young to be a Liberty fan – just young at heart! This dance group consists of men and women over the age of 40 who want to share their love of performance with the New York Liberty crowd!

The Timeless Torches made their debut in 2005 and have been a Liberty staple ever since! Aside from energizing the crowd when they hit the court and appearing at events around the city, the Timeless Torches have been showing their Liberty spirit to a national audience through performances and guest appearances. You may have seen them on hit TV shows such as ABC’s The Chew, Good Morning America, NBC’s 30 Rock, and a number of network morning shows. The Timeless Torches have also represented New York by performing at WNBA All-Star Games in 2006, 2007, and 2009 as well as the 2015 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in New York City.

Event Details

7:45 PM

Doors Open

8:15 PM

Live Music from J. Hoard

9:00 PM

Films Begin

10:30 PM

Q&A with Filmmakers

10:40 PM

Performance by The Timeless Torches

11:00 PM

After-Party featuring DJ Set by A D A I R, presented by The Lay Out

Join us for an opening night celebration in Green-Wood Cemetery, featuring pre-show music by J. Hoard and a special post-screening performance by New York Liberty's Timeless Torches—NYC’s favorite over-40 dance group—who are featured in Quitting Time, one of the evening's short films!

NO REFUNDS. IN THE EVENT OF RAIN, SHOW WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT THE SAME LOCATION. NO ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED.
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FAQs

Can I bring food and drinks?
No outside alcoholic beverages are allowed. Feel free to bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages!

Do I need to wear a mask?
All attendees are required to wear a mask during check in, and while indoors. Masks are encouraged while interacting with staff outdoors. Mask policy may be updated based on current local conditions at the time of the event. Ticket holders will be notified of policy changes via email prior to the event.

Where will the screening take place within Green-Wood Cemetery?
Check in will be at the main entrance on 25th Street and 5th Avenue, but the screening location will be about a 5-6 minute walk up a relatively steep, paved hill from there. Please contact us if someone in your party will need assistance getting to the location.

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
Rooftop Films are open to all ages, but ID and proof of age is required for entry. You must be 21+ to attend the after party.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
For a full list of Rooftop Films venues and directions, click here.

I am a Rooftop Films member. How do I use my member benefits?
Upon joining as a member you received a unique member ticket code. Click on "tickets" on this page and then "enter promo code". Enter your unique member code and press "apply". Interested in becoming a member? Learn more here.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No need to bring your ticket! Just give your name / name of the ticket holder at the door for entry.

You didn't answer my questions!
Sorry about that! Give us a call at 718-417-7362 or click the "contact us" button below.

Venue

Green-Wood Cemetery

500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232