Movie lovers gathered in Brooklyn’s historic Greenwood Cemetery this past Thursday for a night of laughs, tears, gasps, and of course, short films.
New York-based nonprofit, Rooftop Films kicked off their annual summer screening festival with seven short films ranging in subject matter, from the surreal with Bi Gan’s A Short Story to the poignant with How Do You Measure a Year? by Jay Rosenblatt.
Other films included:
- Hi! How Are You? by Gaïa Grandin-Mendzylewski, a cartoon exploring the absurdity of the daily nicety that is «Hi, how are you ? », « I’m fine, and you ? », « Yes I’m fine thank you. ».
- The Vacation by Jarreau Carrillo, a “slice of life” film where a Black man attempts to take a vacation. Set entirely in a car, this film is humorous throughout and ultimately inspiring.
- Lollygag by Tij D’oyen, a recounting of a young woman’s sensual yet macabre Summer with the boy next door.
- When You Left Me On That Boulevard by Kayla Abuda Galang depicts a Filipino family’s laugh-out-loud funny Thanksgiving.
- A Short Story by Bi Gan follows a magical cat through contemporary China.
- How Do You Measure a Year? by Jay Rosenblatt introduces viewers to his daughter Ella on her second birthday. He asks her the same questions each year until she turns 18, and her responses capture the beauty and nuances of parent-child relationships and of course, the cycle of life.
After the screening, attendees were treated to a Q&A with some of the films’ directors (Fun fact of the night: Lollygag’s director Tij D’oven film inspiration came from watching his next door neighbors do the dirty against their bathroom window during the height of quarantine). The screening also included a five minute intermission with visual art by Réka Bucsi. The night began with a live-music performance from Fusilier who performed songs from his new EP “Treason” and ended with an after-party sponsored by Bulleit Frontier Whiskey.
Rooftop Films was founded in 1997 with the intention of promoting inventive work from underrepresented filmmakers alongside seasoned professionals. The nonprofit has grown to be a mainstay in New York City and prides itself on fostering community, inspiration and celebration across all five boroughs.
To read more about Rooftop Film’s mission, other events they have lined up for the future, and membership, visit their website here.
