Summer’s over. The leaves are changing, you’re digging out sweaters from the back of your closets, and people are trying to sell you pumpkin in everything from beer to lattes to bread. The fall brings with it the colder weather, and with it, of course, the end of Rooftop Films underground movies outdoors.
But that doesn’t mean that those of us who bring great independent films, bands, and after parties to the roofs of New York City have gone into hibernation. Far from it. The rest of the world might be drinking hot cider and dusting off their warm boots, but we’re already thinking about next summer, and how to make it even better.
That’s right, Rooftop is now accepting submissions for our 2011 summer series. So if you’ve ever done something like film your hilarious grandmother (like this guy) or made your friends drink too much and then recount an important historical event (like this guy), this is your chance to see your work on the big screen.
Why submit your film to Rooftop Films?
Since its beginnings on an East Village Rooftop in 1997, Rooftop films has grown into one of the most unique and filmmaker-friendly, independent film events in the world. The 2011 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, on boats, and on rooftops overlooking the greatest city in the world. In 2010 we also organized 10 outdoor shows in Toronto, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and other cities all across the Northeast, and we plan to continue our expansion across the U.S. Nearly 30,000 people attended Rooftop screenings in 2010, making it one of the most popular festivals in New York City and one of the biggest festivals for underground films in the world.
For the past 13 years, Rooftop Films has been committed to providing a venue, an audience, and a community for the wide array of short and feature length films that are underserved by conventional commercial distributors, industry-run festivals, art galleries, and repertory theater retrospectives. We want films that tell us about where you live and how you live, and we seek out work with original ideas, regardless of production values. We show films of all genres, formats, and lengths, as long as they’re daring, creative, and unique.
We believe that it’s the responsibility of a film festival to make it as easy as possible for filmmakers to submit their films and get them screened. Which is why we don’t demand that filmmakers send us exorbitant submission fees. We have a low recommended submission fee, which must only be paid once regardless of how many films you send in. In addition, we give each filmmaker who submits two free Rooftop tickets as a thank you for submitting.
More information and submission instructions here: http://www.rooftopfilms.com/submit.html
Rent equipment from Rooftop Films!
You know us as the people who bring you underground movies outdoors all summer. But what you might not know is that we also provide quality A/V equipment and experienced technicians at New York City’s lowest prices. So maybe we’ve inspired you to start your own film festival. Or maybe you need a screen, projector, sound equipment, or camera for an upcoming screening, party, wedding, conference, or…anything. Either way, give us a call, we can help you pick out equipment to exactly fit your needs, deliver it, set it up, make sure everything runs smoothly during your event, pack it up and bring it back, all at the best rates in the city. Need more of a reason to rent? All proceeds go to sustain the Rooftop not-for-profit organization, helping us to bring more great new films to big audiences all over North America. And, if you rent any time before December 31st, we’ll give you a 15% discount off all equipment and services.
For more information, including testimonials, rates, and equipment lists, visit: http://www.rooftopfilms.com/rentals.html
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Guest blogger
Lela Scott MacNeil, Rooftop Films
Arts Initiative Blog 