The Downtown Festival packs a week and a half of one-off screenings into the Roxy Hotel's gilded basement cinema: world premieres, anniversary revivals and archival programs, each followed by a talk with the filmmaker. This year's slate includes Paul Dano's early film L.I.E. at 25 and rare 1980s video portraits of Basquiat, Mapplethorpe and Nan Goldin. If downtown film history and premiere-night Q&As are your thing, this is your festival.
What to expect
Screenings happen in Roxy Cinema, a single-screen 35mm-era room under the Roxy Hotel on Sixth Avenue, with a bar upstairs. Each ticket covers one film plus a moderated conversation after the credits.
Good to know
- Every screening is a one-night-only event, so buy tickets for specific titles in advance
- Most programs include a post-film Q&A, so budget extra time
- Roxy Cinema is inside the Roxy Hotel at 2 Sixth Avenue; the A/C/E at Canal Street and the 1 at Franklin Street are close
- The festival also includes music and art events elsewhere in Lower Manhattan
- Check each screening page for runtimes and content notes
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Common questions
Where are the films shown?
The film program is anchored at Roxy Cinema in Tribeca.
Are there filmmaker talks?
Yes, each screening is followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, often with cast or crew.
