irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $45KTHE ROOFTOP FILMMAKER'S FUND LEVERAGES COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO CO-PRODUCE NEW FILMS. $1 OF EVERY TICKET AND FILM SUBMISSION FEE GOES TO FILMMAKERS WHOSE WORK WE HAVE SCREENED IN THE PAST. IN ADDITION, PARTNERS PROVIDE NON-CASH EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE GRANTS TO THE PROGRAM.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Equipment Rental Program
Low-cost rental service offering A/V equipment and technical support for film screenings, art installations, and community events citywide
Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund
Grant program that allocates $1 from every ticket and film submission fee to support emerging filmmakers whose work has been previously screened
Summer Series
Annual outdoor film screening series featuring curated short film programs in rooftop and other unique venues across NYC, accompanied by live music and after-parties
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Film Production Funding and Fiscal Sponsorship 1 activity
- Funds the Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund grant programUses proceeds from equipment rentals and allocates $1 from every ticket and film submission fee to fund the Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund, which provides financial support to alumni filmmakers to produce new work and sustain careers in independent filmmaking. The organization has granted $2.3 million to date and receives non-cash equipment and service grants from partners to support this program.
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Hosts outdoor film screenings and cultural events in urban spacesPresents an annual outdoor film series from May to September, producing over 40 screenings and special events across parks, piers, rooftops, and other public spaces in New York City. Events include independent narrative and documentary films, live music performances, multi-media presentations, and post-screening Q&A sessions with filmmakers, attracting tens of thousands of attendees each summer. Approximately 80% of events are free or low-cost, transforming unique urban locations into cinematic experiences.
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Membership Program Administration 1 activity
- Offers membership program with event benefits and exclusive accessOperates an annual membership program that provides benefits including discounted tickets, early access, priority entry, and invitations to exclusive in-person and virtual events. Members receive access to over 40 Summer Series events annually and year-round programming.
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Professional Audio/Video Production Services 1 activity
- Provides audiovisual equipment rental and technical support servicesOffers professional audio and video equipment rentals with technical support for external events such as film screenings, art installations, galas, and corporate functions. Services are provided for both indoor and outdoor events and have supported large-scale clients including BK Magazine, The Seaport, Central Park Conservancy, and AMC.
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Emerging Filmmaker Support Programs 1 activity
- Supports independent filmmakers through capacity-building initiativesChampions independent filmmakers by reviewing over 3,500 film submissions annually and connecting their work with new audiences. Has supported more than 2,750 independent filmmakers through exhibition opportunities, mentorship, and career-sustaining resources.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.77M
Contributions & grants$579K33%
Program service revenue$1.15M65%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$37K
expenses
Total expenses$2.01M
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$1.23M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$429K
Cash$207K
Investments$0
Liabilities$948K
Net assets$-520K
Liquid reserves1.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -1.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 10
- ADAM KERSH — Director
- CAMILLE BERNIER - GREEN — Trustee
- ERIC KOHN — Trustee
- EVAN LIST — Director
- JESSICA JACOBS — Chairman
- KAY-B GIDDENS — Director
- MARK ELIJAH ROSENBERG — Chairman
- RACHEL MEIROVICH — Trustee
- RYAN SMITH — Treasurer
- SARA CHRISTOPH — Vice Chair
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- AMC Partner — Client organization that has used Rooftop Films' A/V equipment and technical services for events.
- BK Magazine Partner — Client organization that has used Rooftop Films' A/V equipment and technical services for events.
- Blair Barnes Partner — Filmmaker whose work is featured in a screening event and who delivers a post-show presentation using original hardware.
- Central Park Conservancy Partner — Client organization that has used Rooftop Films' A/V equipment and technical services for events.
- Film at Lincoln Center Partner — Offers artist programs and fellowships in which Rooftop Films staff participate.
- FilmFreeway Partner — Platform used for film submissions and fee payments.
- Green-Wood Cemetery Partner — Host venue for Rooftop Films events in Brooklyn.
- Greg Bank$ Partner — Featured as live musical performer and participant in event programming.
- IndieWire Partner — Cited as a media partner or source of recognition for Rooftop Films’ role in the independent film ecosystem.
- Industry City Partner — Venue partner hosting events in Courtyard 5/6.
- Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram as a platform to share updates and engage with audiences
- Lake Hour Partner — Sponsored the afterparty at the event.
- McGolrick Park Partner — Host venue for Rooftop Films events in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
- Partners Partner — Provide non-cash equipment and service grants to support the Rooftop Filmmaker's Fund program.
- People Magazine Partner — Recognized Rooftop Films as one of the “100 Reasons to Love America in 2023,” indicating media partnership or public endorsement.
- Roadside Attractions Partner — Distributes the film Cookie Queens, which Rooftop Films screened as part of its programming.
- SingleCut Beersmiths Partner — Sponsored the afterparty at the event.
- Sundance Institute Partner — Hosts fellowship programs in which Rooftop Films staff participate.
- The Hollywood Reporter Partner — Cited as a media partner or source of recognition for Rooftop Films’ festival model and filmmaker support.
- The Jacob Burns Film Center Partner — Hosts artist programs such as Creative Culture, which Rooftop Films staff have participated in.
- The New York Times Partner — Cited as a media partner or source of endorsement for Rooftop Films' programming.
- The New Yorker Partner — Cited as a media partner or source of endorsement for Rooftop Films' cultural impact.
- The Old American Can Factory Partner — Host venue for Rooftop Films events in Gowanus, Brooklyn.
- The Old American Can Factory Partner — Venue partner hosting rooftop film screenings in Brooklyn, NY.
- The Seaport Partner — Client organization that has used Rooftop Films' A/V equipment and technical services for events.
- The Wall Street Journal Partner — Cited as a media partner or source of recognition for Rooftop Films’ support of emerging filmmakers.
- hundreds of innovative brands Partner — Collaborates with innovative brands on customized sponsorships and immersive event experiences.
- neighborhood organizations Partner — Collaborates with local neighborhood organizations to present film events in public spaces.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Communal Cultural Experiencemethodology: communal_cultural_experienceBy hosting film screenings in public, site-specific, and interactive environments, Rooftop Films produces deeper cultural engagement and lasting audience impact because shared physical presence fosters human connection and collective meaning-making.
- Culturally-Responsive Community Engagementmethodology: culturally-responsive-programmingBy curating events that reflect local neighborhood identities and integrating cultural rituals, performances, and dialogue, Rooftop Films increases community relevance and participation because audiences engage more deeply when storytelling resonates with their lived experience.
- Immersive Participatory Storytellingmethodology: immersive participatory experienceBy combining curated films with live music, filmmaker Q&As, and multi-sensory formats in non-traditional settings, Rooftop Films creates immersive experiences that deepen emotional resonance and audience retention because narrative absorption is amplified through active, embodied participation.
- Supportive Filmmaker Ecosystemmethodology: filmmaker_community_integrationBy providing emerging filmmakers with screening opportunities, affordable equipment access, and long-term community integration, Rooftop Films strengthens independent film production because sustained support lowers barriers to creative expression and professional continuity.