By Caitlin McNamara
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

GOWANUS — As its Summer Series winds down, a severe gap in Rooftop Film’s budget threatens to drastically shrink future programming.

The much-loved nonprofit needs to raise $70,000 by October to ensure that the film festival can continue into the next year without crippling cutbacks.

Artistic Director Mark Elijah Rosenberg explains that the Gowanus-based organization generates income from four roughly equal sources — ticket sales, corporate sponsorship, equipment rentals, and donations from foundations, government and individuals.

“Unlike most arts and film organizations, our ticket sales have increased this year, about 20 percent, for a total of 25,000 people in 2009,� says Rosenberg. “So Rooftop is more popular than ever before. But the global economic crisis has affected our foundation supporters and corporate sponsors, forcing them to cut back funding despite acknowledging the success of Rooftop.�

The $70,000 is also needed to cover the expenses of the 2009 festival, including artists’ fees and travel, venue rentals, equipment and staffing. Rosenberg calls it an issue of survival for the organization.

“When it comes to money, there’s not a lot to cut,� he says. “We had a staff of seven, but have had to lay people off.�

In addition to its trademark Summer Series, which this season screened 40 nights of films in outdoor venues around the city, Rooftop provides grants to filmmakers, teaches filmmaking to young people, rents out low-cost equipment to artists and non-profits and also produces independent films.

If fundraising targets aren’t reached, services including the Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund and work in public schools may have to be cut. Fewer free shows will be held in parks in underdeveloped neighborhoods such as in the Bronx and Bed-Stuy.

“We understand the economic crisis has affected our audience as well,� reads a statement from the festival. “Buying tickets to a Rooftop show probably seems harder than it did a year ago, and our heartiest thanks go to everyone who has bought screening tickets, raffle tickets and T-shirts, and made tax-deductible donations to Rooftop. At this critical moment, though, we must ask for additional contributions to ensure that we can continue with our programs in the coming years.�

Tax-deductible donations to Rooftop Films can be made in any amount at rooftopfilms.com/donate.html. Rosenberg asks that any corporations that see value in an arts organization with steadily increasing audiences please consider sponsoring the organization. Information is available at rooftopfilms.com/sponsor.html.

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