by Joseph Sutton

(Photo: rooftopfilms.com)

How does watching a movie with friends atop a scenic rooftop sound?  How about a great breeze blowing while enjoying complimentary drinks?  This Summer, forego indoor movie theaters with sticky floors, scents of stale popcorn and overpriced soda.  All possible with the May 27 – August 20 screening of independent films by Rooftop Films.

Rooftop Films began in 1997, when filmmaker Mark Elijah Rosenberg decided to try his own hand at bringing people together to watch new, quality short film. The first of Rosenberg’s screenings took place on the roof of Rosenberg’s apartment building, which got him evicted. Luckily for him, the idea was such a hit that he was able to set up screenings in many venues across New York City and even Toronto, Canada. Rooftop Films receives 3,000 film submissions each year.

Rooftop Films has evolved to also include live music and after parties, all of which are covered by a $10 ticket – and some events are even free, too! Attendees can look forward to musical performances by Frances, Natureboy, North Highlands and Cloud just before enjoying a film (film listings are below.)

Despite the name, not all venues are in fact on rooftops. While that’s how the events originally began, the point of the screenings has always been to use the films as a gathering point for members of various communities. Rooftop Films aims to create a connection between the screenings or performances and the diverse communities in which they are shown. The organization has kept with this spirit by providing various grants for filmmakers and by creating a filmmaking program at Automotive High School in Williamsburg, one of their screening venues.

Sure, you can pop in a DVD that just arrived from Netflix. You can spend $17 on the newest 3D spectacular. But why support a close community of talented filmmakers with some music and a drink? Summer nights are great, but they’re even better when the sky is dotted with film screens.

Stay tuned for our Rooftop Films prize give-a-ways, which are indicated by a double asterik(**)

Rooftop Film Events in Brooklyn, Summer 2010 Season:

**May 27, 2010: Etienne! – Brooklyn Technical High School
**June 3, 2010: Full Frame – Brooklyn Technical High School
June 13, 2010: Tiny Furniture – Bam Cinematek
**June 24, 2010: The Rural Life and Spirit – Automotive High School
**July 2, 2010: Industriance – The Old American Can Factory
July 8, 2010: Nyarma and Polar Explorer – Brooklyn Technical High School
July 9, 2010: Kickstarter Sneak Previews – The Old American Can Factory
July 16, 2010: We Don’t Care About Music Anyway – The Old American Can Factory
July 17, 2010: Brooklyn Transformations – Fort Greene Park
July 23, 2010: The Ape – Brooklyn Technical High School
**July 24, 2010: Greetings From the Woods – The Old American Can Factory
July 29, 2010: Capucine: Filmmaking Monkeys and Other Renegades – Brooklyn Technical High School
July 30, 2010: Animation Block Party – Automotive High School
July 31, 2010: Disco and Atomic War – The Old American Can Factory
**August 6, 2010: Doomed Love and the Devilles – Automotive High School
August 13, 2010: Last Train Home – The Old American Can Factory
**August 20, 2010: Rooftop Shots – The Old American Can Factory