After a popular inaugural year screening indie and classic films and hosting special events from the St. George Theatre to Tappen Park, Cinema Connex, Staten Island’s free independent film series, returns! This season’s lineup includes Roma, Woman On Fire and a film program curated by the African Film Festival.
Cinema Connex brings independent film to Staten Island, free of charge, and featuring screenings and festival film-centric events spanning a variety of genres and locales. For many of the films, film subjects or directors will be coming out for Q&A’s post screening. Enjoy Downtown Dinner & A Movie.
From January through June, the six-film Downtown Dinner & A Movie lineup encourages locals and visitors alike to dine and drink downtown before or after the film. Moviegoers can enjoy the best Downtown Staten Island’s dining with 20% off their bill at the Bay Street Corridor Restaurant Partners: Bay House Bistro, Chang Noi Thai, Craft House, Egger’s Ice Cream (URBY location), Every Thing Goes Book Cafe, Honor Wines, Seppe Pizza Bar, and Kakuwana ($1 off buffet). Films are screened at a pop-up movie theater at Search Party Studio (71 Wave Street, Staten Island).
The season launches January 11, 2020 with a kick-off party and the first screening, featuring Tribeca Film Festival award-winning documentary Bathtubs Over Broadway. The party, open to all, will begin at 6:00pm (location TBD w/Downtown Trivia hosted by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and a special song performed by film subject/comedy writer Steve Young. Bathtubs Over Broadway screens at 8:00pm. At a post-screening Q&A moderated by local filmmaker Neil Mitchell, Young will also be selling and signing copies of his book, Everything’s Coming Up Profits. RSVP Here.
Staten Island Arts’ Cinema Connex Film Series was created to provide local residents with free access to contemporary independent film and to offer unique “insider access” experiences that enrich the understanding and appreciation of the films screened. Cinema Connex programming is bringing together members of different neighborhoods, backgrounds, and interests to celebrate both the craft of filmmaking and the culinary gems of the Bay Street Corridor ~ restaurant partners highlighted during Downtown Dinner & A Movie weekends. Additional Cinema Connex programming includes special events such as networking nights, outdoor festivals, and Sensory Friendly Screenings at the St. George branch of the New York Public Library for individuals on the autism spectrum. All programming is open to the public and free of charge. As the date for each screening or event approaches, visit the Staten Island Arts homepage to RSVP.
Staten Island Arts is grateful to its Cinema Connex community partners who collaborate and help deepen the film series’ programming: African Film Festival; CSI Department of Media Culture; Hub 17; Hypnoses-Tronic Comics; La Colmena; Maker Park Radio; NYC Parks Arts, Culture & Fun: New York Public Library; Pride Center of Staten Island; Staten Island Chamber of Commerce; Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness; and Transportation Alternatives. Cinema Connex is proudly sponsored by Richmond Hood through the Richmond Hood Free Raffle.
Cinema Connex is made possible, in part, by support with public funds from the New York City Department of Small Business Services through its Neighborhood 360° program; the New York State Regional Economic Development Council through the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with City Council.