Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Neon Team Up to Offer Free NYC Screenings of Once Upon a Time in Harlem
New York City moviegoers will get free opportunities this weekend to see Once Upon a Time in Harlem, the Greaves family documentary that’s drawing awards-season attention. Neon, which is distributing the film, has paired with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to present four no-cost public screenings around the city on October 24 and 25.
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The move follows Neon’s recent announcement about partnering with The Guardian to broaden the theatrical reach of another documentary, NAZA — underscoring the distributor’s busy season of specialty releases.
What the screenings aim to highlight
According to the announcement, the events are intended to honor the Harlem Renaissance and to showcase “the lasting, international influence of art, culture and creativity” — bringing a seminal moment in Black cultural history back in front of New Yorkers, and especially Harlem audiences. Mayor Mamdani said the city wanted to make the film widely accessible so residents could experience the voices and debates captured in the footage, and to acknowledge the continuing impact of Harlem’s artists on jazz, galleries and social justice movements today.
About the film and its origins
Once Upon a Time in Harlem stitches together 1972 footage shot by the late documentarian William Greaves documenting a gathering of Harlem Renaissance figures at Duke Ellington’s townhouse. The project was completed by Greaves’s family: his son David co-directed, and his granddaughter Liani Greaves produced. After William’s death in 2014, his wife Louise Archambault devoted significant effort to getting the film finished; she passed away in 2023.
The film premiered at Sundance and went on to screen at major festivals including Cannes, Telluride, Toronto and New York. It has been recognized by critics, receiving five nominations at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, and is being discussed as an Oscar contender in the Best Documentary Feature category.
Family statement
David and Liani Greaves reflected on William’s belief in the power of art to preserve history and to inspire future generations, saying it would have meant a great deal to him to have the city’s support and for the film to return to the neighborhood where he grew up.
When and where to see it (free; RSVP required)
Saturday, October 24
– 1:00 PM — AMC Magic Johnson Harlem, 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10027
– 4:45 PM — Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St., New York, NY 10014
Sunday, October 25
– 1:00 PM — AMC Magic Johnson Harlem, 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10027
– 3:45 PM — Howard Gilman Theater, Film at Lincoln Center, 144 W. 65th St., New York, NY 10023
Tickets are free but require RSVP; check the event listing for registration details and availability.
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Claude Merritt explores the world of entertainment with a keen eye. From music to film, TV series, and popular culture, he covers celebrity news and American cultural trends with a lively and critical approach.
