Community Matters: Now More Than Ever

Ongoing series — screenings and conversations throughout the year. Join the conversation and get involved.

The Armor Of Light Oct. 22, 2015 Abigail Disney’s directorial debut follows the journey of Reverend Rob Schenck, an anti-abortion activist and fixture on the political far right,…
Dramatic Escape Feb. 18, 2016 “Given an opportunity, inmates can, and will, step forward on their own and make significant changes in their lives.” (Brian…
Poverty, Inc. May 5, 2016 Q&A and Community Reception “I see multiple colonial governors. We are held captive by the donor community.”—Herman Chinery-Hesse, Ghanaian software entrepreneur. The West has positioned…
Bikes vs Cars June 5, 2016 Q&A and Reception Our cities and towns are becoming an ever-growing, dirty, noisy traffic chaos. The bicycle is a great tool for change, but safety…
Do Not Resist Feb. 23, 2017 Wow, a knock-out, terrifying horror film that just happens to be a documentary about the over-militarization of local police that’s…
Real Boy June 1, 2017 Q&A Jamie Bruesehoff & Shepard Verbas with Reception Real Boy is the intimate story of 19-year-old Bennett Wallace who is navigating early sobriety, late adolescence, and the evolution…
Quest Nov. 2, 2017 Q&A producer Sabrina Schmidt Gordon & councilman Jared Rice moderated by Laura Rossi with Reception Filmed with vérité intimacy for close to a decade, Quest is a portrait of a family in North Philadelphia. Christopher…
Time for Ilhan Sep. 27, 2018 Q&A VoteRunLead CEO/founder Erin Vilardi moderated by Laura Rossi with Reception Ilhan Omar is a woman, a Somali-American, a hijab-wearing Muslim, and a candidate for elected office in Minnesota. If you…
Colossus Mar. 14, 2019 Q&A film subject Jamil Sunsin and Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, with Westchester Community Foundation Executive Director Laura Rossi, followed by a reception Seen through the eyes of 15-year-old Jamil Sunsin, Colossus reveals the devastating personal impact of America’s immigration policies on one…
Free Trip to Egypt Oct. 16, 2019 Q&A film subject Tarek Mounib with Westchester Community Foundation Executive Director Laura Rossi via Skype, followed by a reception Seeking to build a bridge of mutual understanding and friendship, a Canadian-Egyptian entrepreneur of Muslim faith decides to reach out…
Dramatic Escape Sep. 29, 2022 Q&A with Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) alumni, followed by a reception in the Jane Peck Gallery Dramatic Escape, a feature-length documentary, transports viewers into the lives of a group of incarcerated men at a maximum-security prison who…
Sing Sing Thanksgiving Nov. 3, 2022 Q&A with director David Hoffman, moderated by documentary filmmaker Ryan Miller SOLD OUT: This screening is currently sold out. There will be a standby line starting one hour before showtime. In…
Battleground Nov. 7, 2022 Q&A with Catherine Lederer-Plaskett, President and CEO of WCLA – Choice Matters and Elizabeth Zimmerman, Chair of the Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Action Fund Battleground is an urgent and timely window into the intersection of abortion and politics in America, following three women who…
Wings Over Water Jan. 9, 2023 Q&A with filmmaker Andrew Young, producer Susan Todd & Anne Swaim, Executive Director of Saw Mill River Audubon Narrated by Michael Keaton, Wings Over Water tells the story of the epic journeys of three amazing bird families –…
Retrograde Jan. 11, 2023 Q&A with director Matthew Heineman, moderated by JBFC Board President Janet Maslin Shortlisted for Best Documentary Feature for the 2023 Academy Awards® Oscar-nominated, and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Matthew Heineman’s latest film offers…
Simple as Water May 15, 2023 Q&A with Director Megan Mylan Epic in scope but intimate in feel, Simple as Water is a meditation on the elemental bonds between parent and…
Mutt June 14, 2023 Q&A with director Vuk Lungulov-Klotz Free, members-only screening! Join us for a special Pride preview of Sundance award-winning Mutt (2023), preceded by this was supposed…
Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat Aug. 3, 2023 Q&A with Associate Producer / Casting Director / Volunteer Firefighter Louise Colette Matoso and Westchester Legislator / Volunteer Firefighter Margaret A. Cunzio, moderated by JBFC Director of Film Programs Ryan Harrington Follow the inspiring journey of the most remarkable neighbors whose help you hope you never need—volunteer firefighters—as they encounter heartbreaking…
LIFT Dec. 4, 2023 Q&A with director David Petersen, Artistic Director of New York Theatre Ballet Steven Melendez, and Sharia Blockwood Over a decade in the making, LIFT shines a spotlight on the transformative power of dance and the invisible story…
We Dare to Dream Jan. 22, 2024 In her new documentary, Waad Al-Kateab (director of the Oscar-nominated For Sama) shows us the dramatic challenges faced by refugee…
The 50 Feb. 20, 2024 Zoom Q&A with director Brenton Gieser and Sean Pica, Executive Director of Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison Against the backdrop of prison overcrowding and widespread drug use, The 50 documents the unprecedented journey of 50 men who…
UnCharitable Mar. 4, 2024 Q&A with director Stephen Gyllenhaal & Kathryn O’Neal Dunham, CEO of Philanthropy New York, moderated by Laura Rossi, Executive Director of Westchester Community Foundation After three of the most dynamic and successful U.S. charities were shut down by conservative charity watchdogs, destroying lives and…
Rocco Up Apr. 16, 2024 Rocco is autistic, and he has always loved being in the ocean. Over the years, he develops confidence, grace, and…

The Jacob Burns Film Center is proud to receive generous support from:

Email Sign Up

Get updates on screenings at the JBFC Theater, upcoming events, and more!