The Downtown Festival At The Roxy Cinema

This October, The Downtown Festival returns to Lower Manhattan for its second year, bringing together an eclectic mix of film, music, art, and culture. The festival’s film program will be hosted at Roxy Cinema from October 10th-18th. Join us for a celebration of bold independent cinema, one-night-only premieres & anniversary screenings, and in-person filmmaker Q&As.

True to its downtown DNA,  the festival’s programming reflects a distinctive convergence of creative disciplines with an exciting lineup of screenings, live performances, conversations, and special events that pair rising voices with visionary icons. Founded by filmmaker Rebekah Sherman-Myntti, The Downtown Festival is an artists-for-artists platform committed to independence, discovery, and genuine cultural exchange. You are invited to experience an array of diverse perspectives at the forefront of creative expression.

The Downtown Festival 2025’s film program bridges generations!

THE DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL 2025 – SELECTED SCREENINGS AT ROXY CINEMA:

October 10: 

• Fior di Latte by Charlotte Ercoli (Debut Feature), Q&A with Charlotte Ercoli, moderated by comedian Jeff Ross
• End of the Night by Keith McNally (35th Anniversary Screening), Q&A with Keith McNally moderated by Lisa Robinson
• Atropia by Hailey Gates (Manhattan Premiere), Q&A with Hailey Gates moderated by a Special Guest

 

October 11:

• Desperately Seeking Susan by Susan Seidelman (40th Anniversary Screening), Q&A with Susan Seidelman & Rosanna Arquette moderated by Special Guest
• Special Screening
• Ryan Trecartin Movies: Selected Works from 2009 – 2016 

 

October 12: 

• The Golden Boat (Anniversary Screening), Q&A with producer James Schamus (former CEO of Focus Features) and Scott Macaulay (producer and EIC of Filmmaker Magazine), Jordi Torrent (producer)
• Isaiah’s Phone by Frederic Da (New York Premiere), Q&A with Frederic Da moderated by a Special Guest
• Situations by Greg Vrostos (Debut Feature, New York Premiere), Q&A with Greg Vrostos moderated by Ezra Marcus
• 3 Mid-Length Films: The Moth by Juan Pablo Rivera Garza, The Flavor of Cassava Leaf Over Rice by Tracey Todd, Flowers for Lev by Gabriel Jace Long & Razzi Schlosser, moderated by rising-star film critic Matilda Hague

 

October 13: 

• The Isdal Man by Gus Dapperton (Debut Feature/World Premiere), Q&A with Gus Dapperton moderated by actor Lucas Hedges
• Love New York by Anthony DiMieri (World Premiere), Q&A with Anthony Di Mieri moderated by Special Guest 
• City Wide Fever by Josh Heaps (World Premiere), Q&A with Josh Heaps moderated by Mike Bilandic

 

October 14: 

• The Trick by Neal Wynne (New York Premiere), Q&A with Neal Wynne moderated by Jinho Myung
• Lockjaw by Sabrina Greco (New York Premiere), screening presented by Women Under the Influence – Q&A with Sabrina Greco moderated by WUTI 
• Cece’s Interlude by Tee Park (World Premiere), Q&A with Tee Park moderated by Special Guest 

 

October 15: 

• 3 Films: An Untitled Ghost Story by Riley Lynch (World Premiere), Melted into the Sun by Saodat Ismailova (US premiere), Two People Exchanging Saliva by Natalie Musteata + Alexandre Singh

 

October 16: 

• WUTI presents 15th Anniversary screening of Blank City by Celine Danhier, followed by talkback with Celine
• Dangling Carrot by Taylor Ghrist (Debut feature/World premiere), featuring Niki Takesh, Claire Banse, Q&A with Taylor Ghrist moderated by Special Guest 
• Under the Black Pool Lights (White Stripes Concert Doc) by Dick Carruthers, Q&A with Dick Carruthers moderated by Special Guest
• Oasis: Live at Knebworth Park (Oasis Concert Doc) by Dick Carruthers, Q&A with Dick Carruthers moderated by 

 

October 17: 

• When We Saw Each Other More Often by William Wrubel (Debut Feature/World Premiere), followed by Q&A with William Wrubel, moderated by Special Guest
• Harakiri, I Miss You by Alejandro Castro Arias, followed by Q&A with Alejandro Castro Arias, moderated by a Special Guest 

 

October 18: 

• Idiotka by Natasya Popov (New York Premiere), followed by Q&A with Natasya Popov, Anna Baryshnikov, Julia Fox moderated by Special Guest

 

October 19: 

• What About Me by Rachel Amodeo, followed by conversation with Rachel Amodeo & Richard Brody

 

And so much more!!! Stay tuned for programming updates on www.thedowntownfestival.com