Mayor De Blasio Announces NYC Homecoming Week Partnership with Rooftop Films to Present Free Film & TV Screenings Across All Five Boroughs

Celebrate New York City’s Homecoming Week with Outdoor Cinema Events August 14-22

Editorial Side note: Rooftop films has for the most part already been offering free screenings.

(NEW YORK) Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the City of New York has partnered with Rooftop Films, a New York non-profit cultural institution and home for independent films for over twenty-five years, to present six free outdoor film and TV screenings during NYC Homecoming Week taking place August 14-22. The screenings will be located across all five boroughs of New York City to celebrate New York City’s comeback, and will showcase exciting new films and series that capture the vitality and courageous resilience of New Yorkers.

Dan Nuxoll, President of Rooftop Films, joined the Mayor for today’s announcement to reveal the programming lineup. Screenings will include:

• Monday, August 16th at Walter Gladwin Park, Bronx: NEON presents Jamila Wignot’s documentary Ailey, on the visionary New York dancer, director, choreographer, and activist Alvin Ailey;
• Tuesday, August 17th at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island: A special Staten Island screening of the season two finale and an exclusive sneak peek at the season three premiere of FX’s critically acclaimed Emmy^®-nominated comedy series What We Do in the Shadows;
• Wednesday, August 18th: NYC Homecoming Week Film at Rockefeller Park, to be announced
• Wednesday, August 18th at Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem, Manhattan: The NYC premiere of Netflix and Marcus A. Clarke’s upcoming documentary Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali;
• Thursday, August 19th at Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn: Hulu, Disney’s Onyx Collective and Searchlight Pictures present Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s critically-acclaimed Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised);
• Friday, August 20th at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens: A presentation of New York Shorts, including HBO’s How To with John Wilson: How To Cook the Perfect Risotto; and more

Gates will open for each screening at 6:30 p.m., and films will begin at 8:30 p.m. See the full schedule below for all dates, times and locations. Visit nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek for more information and to RSVP for free tickets.

Rooftop Films is at the heart of New York City’s independent film scene. In June of 2021, the organization re-launched its popular Summer Series which, in its 25th season, is one of the longest running and largest outdoor showcases of independent films in the world. With Summer Series’ in-person events running through mid-September, Rooftop Films continues to be a part of the revitalization of New York City by creating six unique, community screening events for Homecoming Week.

“Joining our mega-star lineup of NYC Homecoming Week concerts and cultural events, our partnership with Rooftop Films will offer even more ways for New Yorkers to celebrate our comeback,” said Mayor de Blasio. “From documentaries to comedies and shorts by acclaimed directors, we’re proud to bring these free outdoor screenings to all five boroughs this August.”