NYC Film Commission Gives Away 5,000 Free Tickets for Indie Film Week with Art House New York

New Art House Cinema Week Launches in New York City

The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), in collaboration with the newly established Art House New York, has announced the inaugural Art House Cinema Week, set to take place from March 20 to 26. The program will provide 5,000 free tickets to participating theaters.

During this week-long event, attendees can also enjoy reduced ticket prices, discounted memberships, and concessions. This initiative marks one of the first initiatives introduced by Rafael Espinal, who recently assumed the role of MOME Commissioner under Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“This initiative reflects our vision for an inclusive creative economy that supports the people who make art, the people who experience it, and the venues that bring it to life,” Espinal stated. “At a time when many New Yorkers and independent theaters are feeling the squeeze of the affordability crisis, we’re stepping in with a simple way to open doors and strengthen our creative ecosystem.”

Eligible New Yorkers for the free tickets include teachers, CUNY students, active-duty military personnel and veterans, individuals with disabilities, SNAP/EBT cardholders, and families registered with nonprofit Cool Culture, which offers free access to cultural spaces. Advance tickets are already available. Espinal emphasized that Cinema Week aims to allow more New Yorkers to “experience the magic of cinema while supporting their local theaters.”

Julie Su, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice, echoed the initiative’s ethos, stating, “Access to arts, culture, and entertainment should be a right for every New Yorker, not a luxury for the few.” This position was newly created under Mayor Mamdani, with Su previously serving as U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Allason Leitz, co-founder of Art House New York, described Cinema Week as “a reminder of why these spaces matter as a cultural cornerstone of New York City,” emphasizing the importance of gathering people around shared narratives and discussions for the health of the city’s democracy and daily life.

Art House New York was launched in October as a regional alliance focused on enhancing independent film exhibition in NYC through audience development, strategic initiatives, and research.

The organization recently added Rachel Denny, CEO of Media Philanthropy Advisory, to its advisory council, which includes representatives from notable institutions like the Maysles Documentary Center, Film at Lincoln Center, MoMA, and others.

Participating theaters for Cinema Week include:

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Brooklyn
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Lower Manhattan
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Staten Island
• Angelika Film Center & Cafe
• Anthology Film Archives
• Brooklyn Academy of Music
• Cinema 123 by Angelika
• Cinema Arts Centre
• Cinema Village
• Cobble Hill Cinemas
• DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema
• Film at Lincoln Center
• Film Forum
• Jacob Burns Film Center
• Kew Gardens Cinema
• Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan – The Carole Zabar Center for Film
• Maysles Documentary Center
• Metrograph
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• Museum of the Moving Image
• Nitehawk Cinema – Prospect Park
• Nitehawk Cinema – Williamsburg
• Paris Theater
• Quad Cinema
• Roxy Cinema New York
• Shorts Movie Theater
• Uptown Film Center
• Village East by Angelika
• Williamsburg Cinema