NYC Filmmakers, We are Listening:

NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Launches “Made in NY” Filmmaker Listening Tour

Full Tour Schedule with Stops Across Five Boroughs Available at on.nyc.gov/ListeningTour

Video with Commissioner Espinal Found Here

New York – September 30, 2026 – The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, in its effort to support all filmmakers and make NYC the most frictionless place in the world to film, is proud to announce the first ever “Made in NY” Filmmaker Listening Tour taking place across the five boroughs this fall.

Commissioner Rafael Espinal and Deputy Commissioner of the Film Office Kwame Amoaku will lead the conversations by offering updates to MOME’s services, city resources, and production incentives. They will then open up the floor for an informal discussion where emerging and established filmmakers are encouraged to share direct feedback regarding their experiences,  challenges and needs while filming on the streets of NYC.

“Our office has launched the first-ever ‘Made in NY’ Filmmaker Listening Tour to hear directly from filmmakers about the barriers they face and what they need from City government to be successful,” said Commissioner Rafael Espinal of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. “Whether you are a student hustling to film your very first project, a creative looking to find work, or a seasoned indie director striving for that perfect shot, your feedback is important to us, as we look to better support our homegrown talent and build a stronger ecosystem for all NYC filmmakers.”

The “Made in NY” Filmmaker Listening Tour stops include:

• BROOKLYN - GOTHAM WEEK - Thursday, October 1, 2:30 - 3:30 PM @ Dumbo Loft, 155 Water Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Event is at capacity) 
  
  
• MANHATTAN - SOHO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - Thursday, October 8, 4:30 - 6:00 PM @ Regal Union Square, 850 Broadway NY, NY 10003 (RSVP for the Manhattan Filmmaker Listening Tour HERE) 
  
  
• THE BRONX - LEHMAN COLLEGE - Thursday, October 28, 5:30 - 7:00 PM @ the 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West Bronx, NY 10468 (RSVP for the Bronx Filmmaker Listening Tour HERE) 
  
  
• STATEN ISLAND - ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA - Tuesday, November 10, 5:00-6:30 PM @ 2636 Hylan Blvd Suite 34 Staten Island, NY 10306 (RSVP for the Staten Island Filmmaker Listening Tour HERE) 
  
  
• QUEENS - QUEENS WORLD FIRST AMENDMENT FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL - Friday, November 13, 2:30 - 4 PM @ Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Avenue Queens, NY 11106 (RSVP for the Queens Filmmaker Listening Tour HERE)