Filmmakers and shop owners from all over New York City showcased works hightlighting the communities that form around shops and the shopkeepers who are the cornerstones.
Our mission is to build a community of support around local businesses.
This festival was a celebration of creativity, community and togetherness.
Trailer video edited by Robert Broadhurst
A short documentary profiling Lucien Redwood, the owner of Bittersweet, a beloved coffee shop in Brooklyn and his struggles to navigate the pandemic.
Jayce Bartok, Director
Tiffany Bartok, Producer
Lucien Redwood, Owner Bittersweet, Brooklyn
Luigi has been a barber in Dyker Heights Brooklyn since the 60’s. Someone we all feel like we know, a lifelong craftsman who is a devoted cornerstone of his community even as it changes before his eyes.
Molly Woodward, Director
https://photo.mollywoodward.com/
Luigi Attina, Owner Luigi’s Barbershop
Knitty City is a charming store in Manhattan's upper west side where many artists and crafters come together to find community and joy.
Annika Horne, Director
www.annikahorne.com
Zacary Chin, Owner Knitty City
www.knittycitynyc.com
NOTE: THIS FILM NOT YET AVAILABLE ONLINE
Jasper's Deli, located in The Bronx, NYC, is a deli that draws a very interesting crowd. Bronx locals mix with college students from the nearby University, and sometimes, they don't mix well. The deli has been around for years and is a staple in the community, featuring over-the-top signature sandwiches created by, and named after locals who the owner, "Rocco", deems worthy.
Jake Bakirdan, Director
Rocco, Owner Jasper’s Deli
Eleanor Roosevelt High School's Film Club explores a small business in East Harlem, NYC. Quechua Nostra, owned by Juan & Betty Lazo, feeds El Barrio @ 1634 Lexington Ave.
Kirin Lawrence, Robert Halpern, Ryan Zhang, George Hall, Directors
Juan & Betty Lazo, Owners Quechua Nostra
http://www.instagram.com/quechuanostra
Simple Syrup’s mission is to share wine made with care, love, and respect with all their neighbors in the Crown Heights community.
Jarika Johnson, Director
Kai-Michelle Coleman, Owner Simple Syrup
https://www.simplesyrup.nyc/
This film highlights the man behind the scenes who helps grease the wheels of the Lower East Side.
Junho Cabral, Director
Frank Arroyo, Owner Frank’s Bike Shop
https://franksbikes.com/
Created in association with DCTV Youth Media
https://www.dctvny.org/s/youth
Jesús Martínez is the owner of a unique shop in the heart of Manhattan. They hand-roll their own brand of high quality cigars everyday, on location. Whoever visits them gets the perk of seeing them work the tobacco leaves. This short film explores the technique of making this celebrated cigars and also the culture of smoking cigars.
Andrés Arias, Director
https://www.andremontage.com/
Jesús Martínez, Owner Martinez Cigars
https://www.martinezcigars.com/
Tattoos have the ability to transport us to different times and sometimes, far away lands. This is certainly the case for Brooklyn-based artist Bruno Levy, who creates designs inspired by the art of the early 20th century.
Will McCord, Director
https://www.willmccordisalive.com/
Bruno Levy, Owner Bandit Studio
https://www.bandit-studio.com/
Bonnie’s store welcomes all to its wonderland of time halting charm, where much like Alice, her customers find themselves day dreaming down rabbit holes of butter and berries and babkas.
Calliope George, Director
Bonnie Slotnick, Owner Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks
http://www.bonnieslotnickcookbooks.com/
A quest to find one’s true self inside a vintage store in Bushwick.
Remington Sage Strecker, Director
Brooklyn Vintage
https://www.instagram.com/brooklynvintagecompany/
Exploration of the filmmaker’s connection to Economy Candy in an ever-evolving neighborhood as an LES local and what it means to call a neighborhood home. Specifically, highlighting the importance of familiarity to gain a sense of community.
Tasnuva Shehrin, Director
Economy Candy
https://economycandy.com/
A young woman goes out one night to a social club to connect to her Puerto Rican roots.
Marissa Velez, Director
Tonita's Caribbean Social Club
NOTE: THIS FILM NOT YET AVAILABLE ONLINE
Come with us as we get a first hand look of all the wonders inside Abracadabra NYC. Meet the characters who make (sometimes spooky) magic at the largest variety of magic, costumes, makeup, rentals, props, wigs & more.
Corey Harmon, Juan Carlos Mendoza, Directors
https://abracadabranyc.com/
Shinobu Kato was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. Our short documentary tells his story of how he went from a small neighborhood in Tokyo, to starting a now booming sake brewery in Bushwick.
Philip Bradley, Director
https://artifact.film/
Shinobu Kato, Owner Kato Sake Works
https://www.katosakeworks.com/
All Dom wants to do is pick up a delicious cheese pizza her friend called into Norm's, but the pizzeria is... across the street.
James Gross & Harrison Pogue, Directors
https://normspizza.com/
Short Film about Jamal Alnasr owner and founder of Village Revival Records a legendary shop open for more than 30 years in New York.
Luis Patino, Director
Jamal Alnasr, Owner Village Revival Records
https://villagerevivalrecordsnyc.com/
Meet Fumi Matsueda - a bike mechanic at one of Manhattan's last motorcycle garages.
Will McCord, Director
https://www.willmccordisalive.com/
Fumi Matsueda, Owner 6th Street Specials