Cool cinema coming to a rooftop near you

The roof of the Old American Can Facotory in Gowanus

Under an open sky, canopied by stars, Brooklynites can enjoy cool cinema and hot sounds all summer, thanks to one local not-for-profit organization.

Rooftop Films sponsors the combined entertainment events — its aptly named Summer Series — now through September 20, in 12 venues around New York City, including four in Brooklyn.

The series, now in its 13th season, offers the opportunity to view new, independently produced films. Some evenings feature a series of shorts; others offer the opportunity to view feature-length films. In all, 24 feature-length films and over 120 shorts -- culled from over 2,000 entries submitted to the organization -- will be screened over the course of the series, which is expected to attract upwards of 25,000 attendees.

For 2009, the Brooklyn locations are:

*The roof of The Old American Can Factory, 232 Third Street, in Gowanus, where shows are scheduled for Saturday, June 13th; Saturday, June 27th; Saturday, July 11th; Friday, July 17th; Saturday, July 25th; Saturday, August 1st; Saturday, September 5th and Saturday, September 12th;

*The roof of Brooklyn Technical High School, 29 Fort Greene Place, in Fort Greene, where shows are planned for Saturday, May 23rd; Saturday, May 30th; Saturday, June 6th; and Wednesday, June 10th;

*The lawn of Automotive High School, 50 Bedford Avenue, in Williamsburg, where performances are scheduled for Thursday, June 11th; Friday, July 10th; Friday, July 24th; Friday, July 31st; Friday, August 7th; Friday, August 14th; Friday, August 21st; Friday August 28th and Friday, September 4th; and,

*The Myrtle Avenue Hill in Fort Greene Park, in Fort Greene Saturday, Aug. 22 with other dates to be announced.

Tickets for performances at the first three venues cost $9. Performances inside Fort Greene Park are free of charge. All events include a live musical performance and a film screening; in addition, most shows are followed by after-parties at which free drinks are served. One dollar from every ticket sold and every submission fee is dedicated to providing grants to filmmakers.

For further information, log onto http://www.rooftopfilms.com/, email info@rooftopfilms.com, or call 718-417-7362.

-Helen Klein