Rooftop Films has already programmed some fantastic summer series, bringing independent cinema into New York City’s communities and public spaces. But, like the heat, their programming slate is still going — they’re unveiling an additional slate of screenings in NYC. The newly announced lineup spans both narrative and documentary features, plus other special outdoor presentations around the five boroughs.
This new summer series includes Alex Ullom’s directorial debut, “It Ends,” the latest existential horror from Neon, presented on the roof of New Design High School in the Lower East Side. The series will also feature major new documentary features, including Penny Lane’s “Wild Inside,” making its world premiere on the Great Hill in Central Park, screening in partnership with Sandbox Films; Alysa Nahmias’ “Cookie Queens,” making its New York premiere in McGolrick Park, presented in partnership with North Brooklyn Parks Alliance; and Sam Green’s “The Oldest Person in the World,” presented in partnership with WIRED at Green-Wood Cemetery.
Prospect Park Alliance, Fort Greene Park Conservancy, and Rooftop also just recently announced their collaborative Summer Movies in the Park, presented by NewYork-Presbyterian. This free, outdoor movie series for all ages features new classics like “Shrek 2,” “Akeelah and the Bee,” “Space Jam,” and Mira Nair’s “The Namesake” and will take place in Prospect Park and Fort Greene Park on Wednesday nights. Screenings will take place on August 5 and August 12 in the former, and on August 26 and September 9 in the latter.
Other highlights in the series include “Sour Minnows,” “Gorilla Gorilla,” “Disco’s Revenge,” “Rockers,” “Mad Hot Ballroom,” and “Newlyweeds.” In addition to programming films across New York, Rooftop provides grants to alumni via their longstanding Filmmakers Fund, rents equipment at low-cost to artists and fellow nonprofits, and supports a multitude of partner screenings year-round and citywide.
See the full list of additions to Rooftop’s summer film series below, with all synopses provided by Rooftop.
“The Oldest Person in the World”
Feature Film Program | 2026 | Sam Green | US | 87 mins
Thursday, July 23rd at Green-Wood Cemetery
A decade-long global journey chronicles the ever-changing record holders of the title of oldest person alive. What begins as a portrait of longevity becomes a meditation on the passage of time, the randomness of fate, and the joy and profound human experience of being alive. Filmmaker Sam Green will talk to WIRED features director Reyhan Harmanci about what we can learn from these supercentenarians, beyond the tech mania for life extension. Presented in partnership with WIRED magazine, as part of its WIRED@NIGHT series.
“Wild Inside”
Feature Film Program | 2026 | Penny Lane | US | 95 mins | World Premiere
Wednesday, July 29th at Central Park — Great Hill | Free with RSVP
A Eurasian Eagle-Owl named Flaco escapes from the Central Park Zoo and sets off on a magical odyssey through the island of Manhattan. Flaco overcomes his years of captivity and lack of survival skills to answer the call of the wild—and discovers he was wild inside all along. A Sandbox Films release. HBO Documentary Films presents a Sandbox Films and Spinning Nancy production, in partnership with New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer and the Central Park Conservancy.
“Cookie Queens”
Feature Film Program | 2026 | Alysa Nahmias | US | 91 mins | New York Premiere
Tuesday, August 4th at Msgr. McGolrick Park | Free with RSVP
A celebration of girlhood and the complexities that come with it, Cookie Queens is a coming-of-age story about the joys, pressures, and tensions woven into one of America’s most cherished rituals: Girl Scout Cookie season. A Roadside Attractions release. Presented in partnership with New York City Council Member Lincoln Restler and the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance.
“Sour Minnows”
Feature Film Program | 2026 | Harrison Atkins | US | 83 mins | US Premiere
Saturday, August 8th at The Old American Can Factory
Two friends stumble upon an unusual sight: six men sensually licking the pavement on an empty LA street. For Ricky, this moment ruptures something. As his reality grows porous, and his memories begin to slip and slide, he finds himself in contact with “The Yellow Thing,” an entity that wears people like costumes. As Ricky adapts to his expanding worldview, a delirious new logic takes hold.
“It Ends“
Feature Film Program | 2026 | Alex Ullom | US | 87 mins
Friday, August 14th at New Design High School | Free with RSVP
A group of recent grads head out on a late-night drive for grub, hoping to enjoy one final hangout before their paths diverge. Instead, they accidentally turn onto a never-ending, two-lane hellscape surrounded by untold horrors and cosmic forces beyond their understanding. A NEON release.
Dangerous Docs: States of Emergency
Short Film Program
Monday, August 17 at Gansevoort Plaza, Meatpacking District | Free with RSVP
An evocative program of docu-shorts exploring catastrophe not as spectacle, but as lived experience—charting the emotional and physical aftermath of a world in constant upheaval.
“Gorilla Gorilla”
Feature Film Program | 2026 | Tij D’oyen & Michael Calciano | US | 87 mins | New York Premiere
Friday, September 18 at New Design High School
After her divisive directorial debut, Anne struggles to make her sophomore film, In Memory of Anne Heche—scenes go awry, actors drop out, and Anne’s prickly friendship with her lead actress becomes increasingly toxic. With her career flashing before her eyes, Anne begins using questionable tactics to save her film.
The People’s Final: World Cup Watch Party
Sunday, July 19th at Governors Island | Free & Open to All
Join the Trust for Governors Island at NYC’s hottest World Cup watch party on Sunday, July 19, from 1 to 6PM! Immersed within the stunning backdrop of the Lower Manhattan skyline on the Island’s historic Parade Ground, the event will feature a large-scale public screening of the final match in partnership with Rooftop Films, soccer clinics and open play opportunities, live DJs, family-centered activities, and international food vendors highlighting the diverse heritage of New York City. The People’s Final is presented by the Trust for Governors Island, with support from the New York City Mayor’s Office.
“Disco’s Revenge”
Feature Film Program | 2024 | Omar Majeed & Peter Mishara | Canada | 101 mins
Saturday, July 25th at Brower Park | Free with RSVP
Disco’s Revenge is a pulsating, experiential deep dive into the very soul of disco music and its enduring impact across genres and history, told by the people who created it, nurtured it, and in turn, discovered themselves on the dancefloor. It isn’t just about why disco matters—but why, in these divisive times, disco matters more than ever. Presented in partnership with New York City Council Member Chi Ossé and BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn.
Summer Movies in the Park: “Shrek 2”
Feature Film Program | 2004 | Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury & Conrad Vernon | US | 92 mins
Wednesday, August 5th at Prospect Park (North End of Long Meadow at Grand Army Plaza Entrance) | Free with RSVP
Enjoy this beloved animated feature starring Shrek and his love, Fiona! Now married, they travel to Fiona’s kingdom, Far Far Away. The catch: her parents are unaware of the curse that struck their daughter and have assumed she married Prince Charming, not a 700-pound ogre with a talking donkey pal. Presented by NewYork-Presbyterian, in partnership with the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Prospect Park Alliance, and Rooftop Films.
Summer Movies in the Park: “Akeelah and the Bee” – 20th Anniversary Screening
Feature Film Program | 2006 | Doug Atchison | US | 112 mins
Wednesday, August 12th at Prospect Park (North End of Long Meadow at Grand Army Plaza Entrance) | Free with RSVP
Keke Palmer, Angela Bassett, and Laurence Fishburne star in this inspirational movie about an 11-year-old girl from South Central Los Angeles who makes it all the way to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Presented by NewYork-Presbyterian, in partnership with the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Prospect Park Alliance, and Rooftop Films.
“Rockers”
Feature Film Program | 1978 | Theodoros Bafaloukos | Jamaica | 100 mins
Saturday, August 15th at Brower Park | Free with RSVP
Legendary reggae artists play themselves in this exuberant tale of struggle and triumph. Leroy (Horsemouth) Wallace and Richard (Dirty Harry) Hall recruit a “Robin-Hood” band of friends to get even with some oppressive mafia types. The cast includes Burning Spear, Jacob Miller, Gregory Isaacs, Kiddus I, Dillinger, Leroy Smart, Jah Youth, The Mighty Diamonds and others. The jam-packed soundtrack features songs by Peter Tosh, The Heptones, Jacob Miller, Burning Spear, Junior Byles, Bunny Wailer, Third World, Junior Murvin, and many more. Presented in partnership with New York City Council Member Chi Ossé.
Summer Movies in the Park: “Space Jam” – 30th Anniversary Screening
Feature Film Program | 1996 | Joe Pytka | US | 87 mins
Wednesday, August 26th at Fort Greene Park (Central Lawn at Washington Park and Dekalb Avenue Entrance) | Free with RSVP
This iconic live-action movie features NBA superstar Michael Jordan, who is recruited by Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, the Tune Squad, for a high-stakes game against an evil theme park owner and his minions, the Monstars, in outer space. Presented by NewYork-Presbyterian, in partnership with the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Prospect Park Alliance, and Rooftop Films.
Community Joy Film Night: “Mad Hot Ballroom”
Feature Film Program | 2005 | Marilyn Agrelo | US | 106 mins
Thursday, September 3rd at Snug Harbor Cultural Center | Free with RSVP
Ballroom dancing goes from lame to cool for a group of students in this documentary, which follows a group of 11-year-olds as they learn to dance. Presented in partnership with The Legal Aid Society as it marks 150 Years of delivering justice to NYC, and Snug Harbor.
Summer Movies in the Park: “The Namesake” – 20th Anniversary Screening
Feature Film Program | 2006 | Mira Nair | US, India, Japan | 121 mins
Wednesday, September 9th at Fort Greene Park (Central Lawn at Washington Park and Dekalb Avenue Entrance) | Free with RSVP
In this film by Mira Nair, based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, the Ganguli family maintain a delicate balancing act between honoring the traditions of their native India and blending into American culture after moving from Calcutta to New York. Presented by NewYork-Presbyterian, in partnership with the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Prospect Park Alliance, and Rooftop Films.
“Newlyweeds”
Feature Film Program | 2013 | Shaka King | US | 87 mins
Saturday, September 12th @ Brower Park | Free with RSVP
Director Shaka King’s feature debut provokes a thoughtful meditation on the habits that hinder modern relationships, navigating through the perilous and comedic with a natural ease and restraint. Presented in partnership with New York City Council Member Chi Ossé.
Tickets and RSVPs are available via the Rooftop Films website. For first-access, discounts, and more, memberships are available right here.
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