350 Grand St. | The Lo-Down : News from the Lower East Side

Rooftop Films Returns to Open Road Rooftop With Dark Toons and Kumaré

photo via rooftopfilms.com

Rooftop Films has been showing films outdoors in some of the most stunning outdoor rooftop venues around NYC for the past 16 years. One of those rooftops is right here on Grand Street at Open Road Rooftop at New Design High School. If you weren’t able to attend the opening of Rooftop’s 16th Annual Summer Series two weeks ago, here’s another chance to experience ‘al fresco film watching’ in the heart of the LES.

Just in time to kick off Memorial Day weekend, Rooftop Films returns with two programs that will surely help get you into that ‘summer’s coming three-day weekend mood.’ Friday’s Dark Toons line up features eleven short films programmed to deliver an night of “enjoyably evil animation.” They note, “this year’s filmmakers use just about every trick in the book to conjure up their visual magic.” The band Softspot opens the evening with their hauntingly meditative music.

Short Films and the Internet’s Most Famous Baby, on the Roof This Friday

Still from Johannes Nyholm's Youtube sensation, and now full-fledged short film, LAS PALMAS debuting at Rooftop Films this Friday

The independent summer film series from Rooftop Films continues on the Open Road Rooftop this Friday with a selection of short films from New York and Sweden (they are partnering with the Swedish Film Institute this summer).

One of the highlights of the evening will be the US premier of the short, Las Palmas, by Swedish animator Johannes Nyholm. The “trailer” was a Youtube sensation – viewed by over 9 million people – and features his one-year-old daughter portraying a middle-aged lady get a little “tipsy” on holiday. The complete version was produced in part by the Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund and just screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Nyholm will be at the show in person for a Q&A after the film.

Memorial Day Weekend Guide

We’ve got plenty of ideas for your “stay-cation” this Memorial Day Weekend. If there are other L.E.S. events or activities that you’d like us to know about, please email us.

The weather might be too warm to resist taking a field trip over to Pier 40 for some FREE kayaking, brought to you by the NYC Downtown Boathouse. Usually only available on weekends, they’ll be open this Monday for the holiday. Walk-ups are welcome from 9a – 6p with the last boat going out at 5:30p.