Arverne Cinema
We built an outdoor cinema in Arverne in 2021 sponsored by Rockaway Brewing Co. The work was completed by local builders and volunteers from the community, using recycled scraps of the boardwalk that was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. In addition to screenings, the cinema hosts a variety of community events.
ANNEX CINEMA
We transformed the warehouse next to the Arverne Cinema — former home of Rockaway Brewing Co. — into an indoor screening room. We'll continue to show movies there in 2025.
Past locations
T149 FORT TILDEN
Gateway National Recreation Area, Far Rockaway, NY 11695
In 2023, we extended our programming further down the peninsula and showed films in Fort Tilden with the help of Rockaway Artist Alliance and National Park Service.
O'Donohue Park
Beach 14th St &, Seagirt Blvd, 11691
We partner with NYC Parks to present free, family-friendly films on the boardwalk. Dredsurfer is one of our co-presenters at O'Donohue Park.
Riis Park Bathhouse Cinema
Jacob Riis Park
Large audiences gathered in front of a giant inflatable screen for our 2019 summer series in partnership with Rockaway Bazaar.
Beach 30th Street Playground
1-09 Beach 30th St, Queens, NY 11691
During Tribeca Film Festival's 2021 Borough to Borough program, we co-presented two screenings in Far Rockaway.
WAREHOUSE Cinema
323 74th Street, 11692
Our first home and venue for the 2018 and 2019 festivals.
Rockaway's MOVIE THEATER history
The Rockaways once had as many as 9 cinemas across the peninsula. The last one to close was the Surfside Twin in 1996.
Our Sponsors
Rockaway Film Festival would like to thank VBX™~Vernam Basin Terminal for generously hosting us at the Arverne Cinema in addition to BBX™~Barbadoes Basin Terminal for contributing to such.
RFF is proud to be sponsored by Blundstone®, Istic Illic Pictures, and NYC Ferry. Rockaway Film Festival made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Rockaway Film Festival is funded in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Art, and by the Howard Gilman Foundation administered by Flushing Town Hall. RFF receives additional support from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.