CIDC and NYC & Company Announce Coney Island Flicks On The Beach To Take Place This Summer
CIDC AND NYC & COMPANY ANNOUNCE CONEY ISLAND FLICKS ON THE BEACH TO TAKE PLACE THIS SUMMER
New Outdoor Film Series Will Run For Eight Weeks in July and August
New York, New York (May 16, 2011)—The Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC), and NYC & Company, New York City’s tourism, marketing and partnership organization, in conjunction with EPIX, Verizon FiOS and Rooftop Films, today announced a new outdoor film series—Coney Island Flicks on the Beach presented by EPIX, Verizon FiOS, NYC & Company and the Coney Island Development Corporation—will take place in Coney Island for eight weeks this summer. Selected films will be shown on a jumbo 40-foot screen on the beach at West 10th Street every Monday night from July 11–August 29; screenings are free to the public and begin at dusk. In addition, each of the events will open with short films presented by Rooftop Films, expanding the audience for new films and filmmakers, and from The Coney Island Film Festival, currently celebrating its 11th year. The Coney Island Film Series is one of several new elements that make up New York City’s Coney Island Revitalization Plan, which aims to preserve and grow the historic amusement area.
“With the addition of this summer film series, we are making amazing progress towards establishing Coney Island as a year-round, 21st Century amusement and entertainment destination,” said Coney Island Development Corporation President Nathan Bliss. “These films will activate the beach throughout the summer, and along with the new Scream Zone and Luna Park, will help us attract more visitors than ever before.”
“We are proud to introduce a new element to the Coney Island institution this summer that will cater to New York City residents and visitors alike,” said CEO of NYC & Company George Fertitta. “Free outdoor films on our world-famous beach is just one more reason to experience Coney Island in 2011.”
”Rooftop Films has been bringing communities together via outdoor movie screenings for 15 years and we can’t think of a better way to expand that mission than to help present films on the beach at Coney Island,” said Rooftop Films Program Director Dan Nuxoll. “There is no more iconic spot in Brooklyn than beneath the Coney Island Cyclone, and we are sure that these screenings will be memorable events for all who attend.”
“We are proud to be working with The Coney Island Development Corporation and NYC & Company to make free movies available to Coney Island and to bring New Yorkers together around film,” said Mark Greenberg, CEO and President of EPIX.
“The Coney Island Film Series is a fantastic addition to this year’s summer season,” said Councilman Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. “The beach is a great venue for movies, and by offering a mix of blockbusters and independent short films, we’re introducing new audiences to New York City’s talented filmmakers. This is just another reason why Coney Island is this summer’s best, most exciting destination.”
“An outdoor film series is just one more great reason to visit the new Coney this summer,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “Visitors can go from ‘scream to screen’—after taking in the thrilling rides at Scream Zone at Luna Park and visiting old favorites like the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel, they can enjoy silver screen favorites such as Saturday Night Fever, Annie Hall and Moonstruck, all shot in Brooklyn. And the Oscar goes to…the Coney Island Development Corporation, NYC & Company, EPIX, Verizon FIOS and Rooftop films for bringing the big screen to the ‘big stage’ of Coney Island, Brooklyn, USA!”
“Coney Island is the People’s Playground and we are pleased that in addition to a sparkling beach and thrilling amusements, it will now host a series of film screenings on a giant 40-foot screen,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “I am grateful to the Coney Island Development Corp. and NYC & Co. for bringing classics with a New York City flavor such as Saturday Night Fever, Annie Hall, and Moonstruck, directly to New York City’s favorite summertime destination.”
The eight-week line up includes:
July 11 – Saturday Night Fever
July 18 – Rango
July 25 – Top Gun
August 1 – Iron Man 2
August 8 – Annie Hall
August 15 – Moonstruck
August 22 – Justin Beiber: Never Say Never
August 29 – How She Move
More details can be found at www.EpixHD.com/freeforall
In addition to Coney Island Flicks on the Beach, a number of new attractions have been added to the boardwalk area this summer. Scream Zone, a new amusement park featuring four thrill rides will operate alongside the year-old Luna Park; the Cyclone Café, a counter-service restaurant with diverse food offerings will serves patrons year-round, and Coney Cones, a new ice creamery on the boardwalk, is set to open in a few weeks.
To promote the outdoor film series in Coney Island this summer, CIDC and NYC & Company have created multiplatform marketing elements which will include a microsite on nycgo.com and print collateral.
The film series and marketing campaign are part of the City’s Coney Island Revitalization Plan, which will preserve and grow the historic amusement area; create a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood with new retail options and nearly 5,000 new units of housing, including 900 income-targeted units; and generate more than 25,000 construction jobs and 6,000 permanent jobs. In total, the plan is expected to generate more than $14 billion in economic activity for New York City over 30 years.
About CIDC
The Coney Island Development Corporation was formed in September 2003 by the New York City Mayor, the City Council, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The 13-member Board of the CIDC includes City officials, local and Brooklyn-wide business and community leaders. It is charged with spearheading and implementing a comprehensive planning process for Coney Island and creating a coordinated economic development strategy for the area. For information about the Coney Island redevelopment plan and the Coney Island Development Corporation, please visit www.thecidc.org.
About NYC & Company
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For the official source on all there is to see and do in New York City, go to nycgo.com.
About EPIX
EPIX, a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), is a next-generation premium entertainment channel, video-on-demand and online service launched on October 30, 2009. With access to more than 15,000 motion pictures spanning the vast libraries of its partners and other studios, EPIX provides a powerful entertainment experience with more feature films on demand and online and more HD movies than any other service. It is the only premium service providing its entire monthly line-up of new Hollywood titles, classic feature films, original series, music and comedy specials through the linear channel, video-on-demand and online at EpixHD.com, the leading online destination for movies. EPIX has made the commitment to deliver the industry’s most expansive online collection of movies, making more than 3,000 titles available on EpixHD.com. The service is available to over 30 million homes nationwide through distribution partners including Charter Communications, Cox Communications, DISH Network, Mediacom Communications, NCTC, Suddenlink Communications and Verizon FiOS. In addition, Netflix members can instantly watch an array of new releases and library titles from EPIX streamed over the Internet from Netflix 90 days after they premiere in premium pay TV and on demand, giving EPIX another distribution channel to bring its films to more consumers. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EpixHD.com
About Rooftop Films
Rooftop Films is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing communities together via the medium of film. They have been screening new, independently produced films outdoors for 15 years. In addition to their own film screenings, they have also made it their mission to help community groups, parks, and other organizations to present their own outdoor screenings all across the city. To find out more about all that they do, go to www.rooftopfilms.com
The One and Only Coney: There's a full calendar of exciting events in Coney Island for summer 2011, headlined by the opening of the new Scream Zone and the return of Luna Park! Scream Zone is now open on Stillwell Avenue and features adult- and teen-geared thrill rides, including a human slingshot, the Zenobio and two new steel roller coasters. Luna Park returns with its 19 fun-filled rides including Air Race. There's also the tried and true thrills and all-out joy of the Cyclone Rollercoaster, the Wonder Wheel, the family-friendly New York Aquarium featuring the brand new Conservation Hall and Glover's Reef, Nathan's Famous hot dogs, Brooklyn Cyclones baseball games and the ever popular Beach and Boardwalk. Plus there are the "Coney Only's:" one-of-a-kind events like the Mermaid Day Parade, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Rooftop Film Series, Friday Night Fireworks and so much more! Visit www.ConeyIslandFunGuide.com for all the latest information on Coney Island's unique events and attractions! And make sure to come out this summer and enjoy The One and Only Coney!