When your a New York City dweller who loves watching indie films under the evening sky your year is basically broken down to Rooftop Films season, and the countdown to Rooftop Films season. At least that how it is for us. And, thankfully, we are moving into the time of year we love most, as the venerated series kicked off at Industry City on Wednesday with a screening of the documentary Weiner. The festivities continue this weekend and run through August 20. A majority of the lineup has already been revealed, and we’re happy to report there’s much to write home about.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Rooftop Films is slated to host over 50 outdoor screenings in more than 13 outdoor venues throughout the next three months. The curators scoured the festival circuit and beyond in search of indie features and shorts to fill out the program. As in past years, screenings are accompanied by live music and most also feature a Stella Artois-sponsored afterparty.

Will Allen’s Holy Hell

Rooftop Films launches into its opening weekend in customary fashion with a dynamic shorts program at the Bushwick Generator. Entitled This is What We Mean by Short Films, the program features singing robots, a rapid-fire tour of the NY subway system, and a four-part comedy symphony. Come Saturday night, the series hosts the New York premiere of Holy Hell at The Old American Can Factory. Directed by Will Allen, Holy Hell wowed audiences at Sundance and is about the filmmaker’s experience with The Buddhafield, a Los Angeles area spiritual group/cult he joined in 1985 after graduating from film school. The Saturday night screening is preceded by a live set by Current Joys, while Friday’s hoopla includes a pre-screening reception and a performance by Canadian duo The She-Devils.

As for the rest of the season, indie film fans will find much to savor. In the documentary camp, the series serves up Joe Berlinger’s Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru (July 11), Jerzy Sladkowski’s Don Juan (July 22), Jesse Moss’ The Bandit (TBA), Kirsten Johnson’s Cameraperson (June 30), and Tickled (June 16), a stranger than fiction tale that started simply as an expose on competitive tickling. As for narratives, highlights include Taika Waititi’s winning Kiwi comedy Hunt for Wilder People (TBA), Josh Locy’s Hunter Gatherer (TBA), and a free screening of Anna Rose Holmer’s The Fits (May 31).

Matthew Conboy’s Goodnight Brooklyn – The Story of Death By Audio

Those who like films on music-related topics should think about investing in a Rooftop Films membership, as there are many films that fall in this camp. The series is screening Morgan Neville’s The Music of Strangers: Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble (June 7), about the musical collective founded by Yo-Yo Ma, and SXSW premiere Goodnight Brooklyn – The Story of Death by Audio (July 9). House of Vans is also getting in on the Rooftop Films fun by partnering with the series on two screenings: Andrew Cohn’s concert documentary Danny Brown: Live at the Majestic (May 24), and Angela Boatwright’s Los Punks: We Are All We Have (May 26). Both events are free with RSVP and happen at House of Vans.

Other bells and whistles of the upcoming Rooftop Films season include the Sundance Short Films program (June 10), a free Animation Block Party event (July 28), and the return of the Cinema Ramble at Storm King Art Center (Aug 13), which a magical event that finds short films screening among the sculptures and meadows at the park.

For more details about Rooftop Films 2016 and to purchase tickets, visit the Rooftop Films website.

Image above courtesy of Rooftop Films