‘Art House New York’ Launches in New York City New Alliance to Strengthen Independent Film Exhibition

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
A new regional alliance Art House New York AHNY has
officially launched to support and strengthen independent film
exhibition in New York City through audience development,
research and strategic initiatives.
With the NYC Mayor S Office of Media and Entertainment, MO as a
founding partner, AHNY is kicking off with an inaugural

(00:22):
week long audience development campaign designed to leverage
the city S collective cultural weight and bring audiences back
to explore the vibrant and diverse independent cinema
landscape in spring 2026. World renowned graphic designer
Polisker from the design studio Pentagram has created the art
house New York logo and brand identity and will develop the

(00:44):
2026 campaign. Additional partners will be
announced. AHNY is envisioned as a model
for similar regional initiativesacross the country, using New
York as the standard bearer to energize independent film
exhibition nationwide. Art House New York is founded by
Leslie Kleinberg, former president Film at Lincoln

(01:07):
Center, who tapped Allison, lateof Third Industry Strategies to
design its formative vision and serve as the initiative's
director. The future of film is community,
and that S what Art House New York is all about, said AHNY
founder Leslie Kleinberg. We want to capitalize on the

(01:28):
emergence of a younger cinephilecrowd and find common ground for
collaboration that will draw them to our theaters.
New York City is home to the nation's most diverse
independent film exhibition ecosystem, from single screen
storefront cinemas to institutional film programs.
Yet of the City S5 boroughs, only three regularly program

(01:50):
independent films, most concentrated below 14th St. in
Manhattan. Cinemas continue to prove
themselves as third spaces wherepeople build community,
especially for those new to a neighborhood or city.
Core goals are to drive attendance, strengthening the
impact of art house exhibition, addressing sheer challenges

(02:12):
among exhibitors with practical collaborative solutions, and
generating data to develop a deeper understanding of the art
house exhibition sector. Our goal is to strengthen ties
between art house cinemas and with the film industry, creating
new opportunities to connect audiences together.
Alone, art house cinemas are hidden gems, but together we are

(02:36):
a cultural force, said a HNY director Allison Leitz.
AHNY is guided by a distinguished Advisory Council
of leaders from across the film industry landscape.
Kazembe Balagan, Executive Director, Mesel's Documentary
Center. Dory Begley, Co CEO Magnolia

(02:57):
Pictures Matt Bolish, Deputy Director, Film at Lincoln Center
Mark Boxer, Head of DistributionMUBI Karen Cardarelli, Executive
Director, Facets and Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals.
Gary Faber, President ERM Research Pat Swinney Kaufman

(03:20):
Commissioner Mohm Leslie Kleinberg, AHNY Founder Former
president, Film at Lincoln Center.
Lila Meadow Connor, board president, Art House
Convergence, Dara Messenger, director of programming, DCTVS
Firehouse Cinema, Rajendra Roy, Chief curator of film, MO Ma

(03:46):
Shannon Trus, Partner, Falco Inc, Jesse Trussell, director,
film program and strategy, Bam Barbara Twist, executive
director, Film Festival Allianceand John Vanco programming,
Paris Theater Netflix. With our mission to support NYCS

(04:09):
creative industries and make them accessible to all New
Yorkers, we are proud to be a founding partner of Art House
New York so that we may contribute to a revival of local
independent cinematic experiences around the five
boroughs, said NYC Mayor S Office of Media and
Entertainment Commissioner Pat Swinney.
Kaufman, Leslie and Allison are the perfect visionaries to lead

(04:33):
this alliance and forge a new path forward for film exhibition
in NYC that other regions can then follow.
About Art House New York Art House New York AHNY is a
regional alliance strengthening independent film exhibition in
New York City through audience development, research and
strategic initiatives. By amplifying the city S diverse

(04:56):
and vibrant cinema landscape, AHNY works to ensure that New
York remains the nation S cinephile capital and sets the
tone for regional art house initiatives nationwide.
For more information, visit www.arthouseany.org.