The Rooftop Films Summer Series 2026 is an exciting lineup of independent cinema events, marking the 30th anniversary of the beloved festival. This year's series, running from May 15 to August 21, promises a diverse range of screenings, performances, and special events. With over 40 events, the series showcases new independent feature films, short films, community screenings, live performances, and enhanced events. The lineup includes a special New York premiere of Daniel Roher's 'Tuner', featuring star Leo Woodall and Academy Award-winning sound designer Johnnie Burn. The festival also celebrates the end of the NHL playoffs and the second season of 'Heated Rivalry' with an outdoor screening at Pier 17. Rooftop Films, established in the late '90s, has grown into a vital platform for emerging artists and a defining institution in independent cinema. The 30th anniversary series emphasizes short-form storytelling, with a special 'best-of' edition of the New York Non-Fiction program. The feature film program includes 'Tuner', 'Shaolin Soccer', 'Jaripeo', 'Gorilla Gorilla', and 'Sour Minnows'. The short film program features 'This is What We Mean by Short Films', 'Cemetery Shorts', 'Vidas Vibrantes', 'Queerly Beloved', 'Trapped', 'Farm-to-Screen Shorts', 'Dark Toons', 'URL IRL', 'New York Non-Fiction', 'Love is Strange', and 'Rooftop Shots'. Partner events include 'Heated Rivalry Comes Out(side)' and 'The Brittney Griner Story'. The series offers free community screenings, low-cost tickets, and exclusive benefits through a redesigned membership program, reflecting Rooftop's commitment to audience access and cultural inclusion. The 2026 lineup is a testament to the festival's history and its role in shaping contemporary cinema, providing a platform for discovery and artistic risk-taking.
