Summer movies in city parks seem like a distant memory, but several new drive-in theaters have made communal viewing possible in the wake of COVID-19. Now, Greenpoint Film Festival is latching onto the drive-in trend for the 9th annual Greenpoint Film Festival, which will screen 35 films between August 1st – 9th.
Films well be shown in the parking lot on Meserole Avenue and Jewel Street, hosted by Broadway Stages, and The Foundry LIC. The eight day event will showcase eight feature films and 27 short films. Special Guest Speakers and socially distant gatherings, which abide by state and city health stipulations, will also take place.
Car ownership, or even a rental, won't be necessary for those who want to attend the festival. Organizers have arranged for a row of parked, stationary cars to be available for those who need a vehicle seat. A dedicated cleaning crew will be appointed to consistently reset and clean between, before and after each movie screening.
In lieu of a traditional concession stand, Wilson Rivas Catering will provide food trucks. Bathrooms will be located outside the lot with a dedicated cleaning team servicing them regularly. Filmmakers and celebrity guests will be invited to participate in a drive-through green “red” carpet. Frontline workers are also invited to contact the festival organizers for complimentary tickets.
“At a time when people are eager to connect and convene again after months-long social distancing, we’re excited to bring filmmakers and film lovers in Brooklyn together to showcase and celebrate their work in a safe environment and create a safe platform of opportunities," - Anthony Argento and Ricardo Vilar, Greenpoint Film Festival organizers, said in an email statement. "Despite the circumstances this year has brought us to and against all odds, we are ever so grateful we can still rejoice in the act of storytelling for it is stories that shine the path to hope.”
Established in 2011, Greenpoint Film Festival is a not-for-profit annual event inspired "by the stories yet untold and giving voices to the voiceless" in the filmmaking industry. The themes of renewal and reclamation continue to play a major role in the social and creative fabric of the Greenpoint Film Festival, which also has a mission to encourage an eco-friendly future. This year, the festival has partnered with New York City's largest soundstage company, Broadway Stages, which commits to renewable energy by using solar power for their soundstages and productions. In addition to the festival awards, special awards will be given to filmmakers spotlighting important environmental and social issues.