The Greaves family‘s “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” is making waves in this year’s Best Documentary Feature Oscar race — and it’s about to screen for free throughout New York City this weekend.
A day after Neon announced a partnership with The Guardian to expand the theatrical release of another documentary Oscar contender, “NAZA,” the company is now partnering with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to bring “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” to more audiences.
Four free screenings of the film, co-directed by the late William Greaves with his son David, will roll out on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, in New York City. The screenings will take place at the AMC Magic Johnson Harlem, Film Forum, and Film at Lincoln Center, “celebrating the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance and the enduring global power of art, culture, and creativity,” per the announcement.
Related Stories
“’Once Upon a Time in Harlem’ brings the personalities, ideas, and debates behind the Harlem Renaissance to life for a new generation of New Yorkers,” Mamdani said in a statement. “We are proud to partner with the filmmaking team to offer free screenings to New Yorkers this weekend, ensuring that as many New Yorkers as possible get the chance to experience this film. Our city owes a debt of gratitude to the artists of the Harlem Renaissance whose enduring legacy is still felt in every jazz club, in every gallery, and in the movement for social justice that still continues to this day.”
The film premiered at Sundance before moving on to play Cannes, Telluride, Toronto, and New York, among other festivals. Nominated for five Critics Choice Documentary Awards, the film compiles footage William Greaves shot in 1972 of a gathering of Harlem Renaissance luminaries at Duke Ellington’s townhouse. William’s granddaughter, Liani Greaves, produced the film, with her father David co-directing. Before the younger Greaves took on the project, William’s wife, Louise Archambault, worked tirelessly to bring it to life after William died in 2014. Louise died in 2023.
“William Greaves believed deeply in the power of art to preserve history as well as inspire audiences and future generations. We know it would have meant so much to him to see Mayor Mamdani and the Office of the Mayor champion this film and help bring it to New Yorkers and especially back to Harlem where he was born and raised,” said David and Liani Greaves.
The screening schedule is as follows. RSVP for free tickets here.
Saturday, October 24
- 1:00 PM at AMC Magic Johnson Harlem, 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10027
- 4:45 PM at Film Forum, 209 W Houston St, New York, NY 10014
Sunday, October 25
- 1:00 PM at AMC Magic Johnson Harlem, 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10027
- 3:45 PM at Howard Gilman Theater, Film at Lincoln Center, 144 W 65th St, New York, NY 10023