NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment and IFP Shine a Spotlight on Independent Film

Celebrating excellence in independent film, the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment and the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) will showcase the best of “Made in NY” film with a curated two-night screening series featuring Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey and Metropolitan.

Part of Spotlight on Independent Film, the free screenings will take place on March 27 and 28 at 7:30pm at the World Financial Center Winter Garden (Three World Financial Center, 220 Vesey Street). The event is presented by Arts Brookfield and sponsored by RBC Capital Markets. No RSVP is required.

The series will kick off with Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey, which charts the career of Kevin Clash, the man behind Sesame Street’s iconic furry monster, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop, as well as an intimate portrait of Clash’s talent and creativity. Being Elmo is directed and produced by Constance Marks, whose documentary production company is based in New York City.

Metropolitan, the second film of the Spotlight series, was shot on location in the City in 1990, and tells the story of a group of rich young Manhattanites who meet each night during debutante season to while away the hours talking and debating. The film’s director and screenwriter, Whit Stillman, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Metropolitan also received the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature.

Named one of the “best theaters for cult films” by Time Out New York, the World Financial Center Winter Garden is a New York City landmark that has served as the backdrop to a wide range of films, including Bonfire of the Vanities, Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps and Boomerang.

“New York City is the home to some of the most talented and creative people in the world,” said Commissioner Katherine Oliver, Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment. “It’s a pleasure to bring these ‘Made in NY’ features to a new audience as part of our partnership with IFP to highlight local independent filmmaking.”

“It is mission critical for IFP to connect filmmakers with new audiences, so we couldn’t be more thrilled about this partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment,” said Joana Vicente, Executive Director, IFP. “We are grateful to RBC and Arts Brookfield for making the initiative possible, and for giving the public the opportunity to see the work of these talented local filmmakers.”

Through the RBC Emerging Artists Project, RBC lends year-round support to IFP’s various programs and initiatives. Among these is the Emerging Visions program, a daylong creative symposium for emerging filmmakers held in conjunction with the New York Film Festival. Beginning on the day of the program and lasting throughout the year, filmmakers receive direct, one-on-one mentorship from leading industry professionals. RBC is committed to helping filmmakers develop their skills and bring their visions to life, and supporting IFP and initiatives like Spotlight on Independent Film is but one of many examples of this.  

“Investing in the arts is a long-standing priority at RBC, as we believe in the power of the arts to enrich lives and enhance our communities,” said Mark Standish, President and Co-CEO of RBC Capital Markets. “By supporting arts and culture, from film, music and dance to theatre and visual arts, we are committed to helping emerging artists develop and progress along their professional careers. RBC is delighted to sponsor this event, and is proud to support lower Manhattan and promote the arts and culture in New York City.”

“With its iconic glass-vaulted ceiling and towering palm trees, the World Financial Center Winter Garden is a favorite with both filmgoers and filmmakers alike,” said Debra Simon, artistic director of Arts Brookfield. “There's no better place to enjoy movies that showcase our wonderful city.”