NYC Parks and Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Announce Return of 'Movies Under the Stars' Series

This Summer Series of Free, Outdoor Screenings includes Short Films from the New York Public School Film Festival

New York, NY -- NYC Parks and the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment announce the return of the outdoor series "Movies Under the Stars," bringing free summer film screenings to New York City's parks and playgrounds. Parks across the city are hosting screenings throughout the summer months of classic films like RENT and new favorites Captain America, Coco and Incredibles 2.

For the first time ever, this NYC summer tradition will include screenings of the third annual New York Public School Film Festival (NYPSFF), which showcases 32 films created by NYC public school students from across the five boroughs. As a bonus, these special screenings will be followed by student interviews with leading film and television industry professionals including Malcolm D. Lee, the Queens-born/Brooklyn-raised director of the upcoming Space Jam: A New Legacy starring LeBron James; Kemp Powers, the Brooklyn-born, Oscar-nominated co-writer and co-director of the award-winning film Soul; and Nina Yang Bongiovi, the NYC executive producer of Godfather of Harlem. These NYPSFF screenings will take place July 9, 10 and 11 in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.

You can find the entire "Movie Under the Stars" lineup at nyc.gov/moviesunderthestars.

"We're thrilled to present children and families across the five boroughs with free outdoor movies, and we want them to have the best experience in our parks," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. "Through 'Movies Under the Stars', we're bringing fun cultural programming to viewers across the city. We encourage New Yorkers and visitors in every community to take full advantage of this program and catch a movie in a local greenspace this summer."

"Summer in NYC is not complete without our annual 'Movie Under the Stars' screenings. These free screenings provide a terrific opportunity for families and friends to come together for filmed entertainment on warm summer nights - something we can all appreciate now more than ever," said the Commissioner of NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Anne del Castillo. "We are so pleased that the excellent work of NYC's public school students will be featured as part of this summer's screenings."

'Movies Under the Stars' is NYC Parks' annual summer series which launched in 2014 as a way to give to communities and neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs. New Yorkers are encouraged to pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and enjoy a movie in a neighborhood park. All movies begin at dusk.

For everyone's safety, we are asking all participants to observe the following guidelines:

• Please wear a mask if you are unvaccinated, or if it makes you feel more comfortable
• All individuals should maintain social distancing of six feet during programming, regardless of vaccination status
• Please wear a mask if social distancing cannot be maintained
• Wash your hands before attending a program
• Stay home if you are sick