The Downtown Festival At Roxy Cinema New York

This October, The Downtown Festival returns to Lower Manhattan for its third 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 9th-18th. Join us for a celebration of bold independent cinema, one-night-only premieres, anniversary screenings, and in-person filmmaker Q&As.

The Downtown Festival is a celebration of independent film, music, art, and culture held across Lower Manhattan, bringing together emerging voices and established artists across generations and disciplines. Founded by filmmaker Rebekah Sherman-Myntti, the festival is an artists-for-artists platform dedicated to discovery, experimentation and genuine artistic exchange. The Downtown Festival offers an independent, community-centered alternative to an increasingly corporate festival landscape, creating a space for artists to share their work, connect directly with audiences and one another, and build lasting relationships.

Programming is led by Rebekah Sherman-Myntti and Associate Director Briana Bursten. Read an interview with them HERE for Roxy Hotel’s column, Made In New York.

THE DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL 2026 – SELECTED SCREENINGS AT ROXY CINEMA:

October 9

ART/New York & 3 Downtown Artists + Q&A with Paul Tschinkel and Marc H. Miller, moderated by Rebekah Sherman-Myntti

The Basics of Philosophy + Q&A with Paul Schrader moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

Two Neighbors + Q&A with Ondine Viñao and cast members moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

October 10

Beyond the Threshold – Selection of Short Films + Q&A

Dwarf Neon Mayfield + Q&A with Leland Nally moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

L.I.E (25th Anniversary Screening) + Q&A with Michael Cuesta moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

The Mayflower + Q&A with Nick Sandow moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

October 11

Sitting Ducks + Intro by Justin LaLiberty and Q&A with Justin LaLiberty and SPECIAL GUEST

The Joyless Economy + Q&A with Marjorie Conrad moderated by Emmeline Clein

Slauson Rec + Q&A with Leo Lewis O’Neil, moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

October 12

Let Them Be Seen + Q&A with Nolitha Refilwe Mkulisi moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

Big Break + Q&A with Simple Town moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

October 13

Galicia! + Q&A with Anna Maguire and Kyle Greenberg moderated by Natalia Winkelman

Tycoon + Q&A with Charlotte Zhang moderated by Scott Macaulay

Chronicles of Shpongle + Q&A with Paul Gondry moderated by Jak Ritger

October 14

Signals in the Distance: Selection of Short Films + Q&A

Little Miss Sun Sign + Q&A with Joey Frank moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

Sensing Systems: Works by Andrew Norman Wilson and Jonah Freeman + Q&A with Andrew Norman Wilson and Jonah Freeman, moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

Fellas + Q&A with Matthew Danger Lippman, cast, and crew moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

October 15

The Story of Eve + Q&A with Alexandra Cabral moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

Chelsea Walls (25th Anniversary Screening) + Q&A with Ethan Hawke moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

Tell Her That I Love Her + Q&A with Eva Yelmani moderated by Rebekah Sherman-Myntti

October 16

The Water is Always Warm + Q&A with Morgan Krantz moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

Amoeba + Q&A with Siyou Tan moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

Cabaret Boys + Q&A with Michael M. Bilandic moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

October 17

The Projectionist + Q&A with Alexandre Rockwell moderated by SPECIAL GUEST

Surfaces and the Self: Selection of Short Films + Q&A

October 18

Dissolutions: Selection of Short Films + Q&A

Karishika + Q&A with Nolly Babes’ Ebele and Tochi Anueyiagu and SPECIAL GUEST

Amos Poe: Unmade + Q&A with Sebastian Mlynarski moderated by David Fear

October 19

TBA

Stay tuned for additional programming!