Brainchild of Roosevelt Islander Daniel Jordano and filmmaker Toni Vitalie, the first Roosevelt Island Film Festival (RIFF) opens June 25th in the Howe Theatre. This comes after coronavirus ended last year’s original plan.

By David Stone

Roosevelt Island Daily News

Working in tandem with Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance, RIFF launches with three short features on the 25th. Tickets for that and all other films are available here.

About the First Roosevelt Island Film Festival

“Festival will be LIVE not VIRTUAL,” the organizers emphasize.

According to their website…

“Roosevelt Island Film Festival takes place in the heart of New York City on the stunningly beautiful, two-mile island, nestled between Manhattan and Queens and straddled by the 59th St. Bridge. 

“RIFF is dedicated to the discovery and development of independent American and international filmmakers. The festival seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film, and introduce audiences to new exceptional works. We are open to all genres. Special categories include Female Directors and Emerging NYC Filmmakers.

“RIFF hosts screenings, panels and social networking opportunities for everyone involved. Leading figures from all disciplines of the film industry including distributors and media will be in attendance.

“RIFF will accept films in every genre, on any topic from every country around the world.” 

Roosevelt Island Film Festival

For a complete schedule, click here.

Awards will be given on on June 27th at 7:00 p.m. at a ceremony in the Good Shepherd Community Center.

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Featured

You Can’t Be All Three

Transit for the city, an attraction for visitors, and a liability on the Island’s books. The tram is already part of the MTA system. The only question is whether RIOC is ready to admit it.

Theo Gobblevelt Jul 10, 2026

April 9, 2026, during the full board meeting of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, Fay Christian said something that should have landed harder than it did. She wished RIOC were not responsible for the tram. Then she asked what it would look like if it were given to the MTA. That was not a passing comment.

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