“Each year, we hope to expand Rooftop’s events and produce bigger, better, and more uniquely memorable screenings,” said Dan Nuxoll, Program Director for Rooftop Films. “AT&T’s assistance has helped us to achieve our goals more spectacularly than ever before, and the tremendous growth of the last two years is largely attributable to AT&T’s support. Further, their support of the Rooftop Filmmakers Fund is tremendously helpful to independent filmmakers. In a time when indie filmmakers sometimes struggle to get their films made, AT&T’s grant is making it possible for a few of them to get their movies made and made well.”
“AT&T is thrilled to continue supporting Rooftop Films Summer Series, a cultural touchstone in New York City” said Marissa Shorenstein, President, AT&T New York. “The independent and not for profit film community is culturally and economically vital to New York City and our support will ensure that these artists can continue to flourish right here. From the Feature Films Grant to community giving to the festival’s first ever podcast series, the Summer Series and AT&T continue to work together to find new and innovative ways to connect this community.”
Artistic Support
The support of AT&T helped Rooftop Films to produce their most spectacular bumper trailer to date, an epic stop motion animation timelapse video shot atop Rooftop’s newest Brooklyn venue, Industry City. Directed by Rooftop Founder and Artistic Director Mark Elijah Rosenberg and produced with the help of acclaimed filmmakers Brent Green (Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then) and Todd Chandler (Floodtide), cinematographer Wyatt Garfield (Ping Pong Summer), and producer Matt Parker (Beasts of the Southern Wild, Bachelorette). The trailer features a spectacular tracking shot of a structure being built out of electronic scraps that eventually form a makeshift projector which projects the Rooftop Films and AT&T logos against the wall of the Industry City rooftop as the Manhattan skyline flicks in the background.
The 2013 Filmmakers Fund Winners will be announced in August.
Enhanced Events
AT&T’s support has helped Rooftop Films to enhance the Summer Series and produce a more exciting slate of screenings and special events than ever before. 2013 Screenings with special components will include live performances by a nine-man brass ensemble (Brother’s Hypnotic, May 17), a screening on a boat in Red Hook (Expedition to the End of the World, August 1), a sneak preview of a new hit independent film on a farm in Queens (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, August 15), a special, free, pre-Independence Day screening (Our Nixon, July 3), and dozens of other spectacular events all across New York City.
AT&T is also helping Rooftop Films reach out to their community for support by helping to set up a mobile giving platform that will allow audience members to donate to Rooftop Films via text messages. In addition to providing the service, AT&T will additionally be matching the first $10,000 in donations dollar for dollar.