Mayor Bill de Blasio, Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen and Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin launched on June 8, 2016, new initiatives to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting.
During a kickoff event at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens, Mayor de Blasio announced renowned New York City entertainment leaders as MOME Ambassadors, including Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, John Leguizamo, Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal. Over the next 12 months, MOME’s Ambassadors will serve as representatives of NYC’s booming media and entertainment industries, promoting the contributions of artists, entertainers, and professionals to the City’s cultural identity and thriving creative economy. Created in 1966 by then-Mayor John Lindsay, over the last 50 years, the Office has seen explosive growth in the industry – bringing in nearly $9 billion to the City – with this past season shattering records for film and television production.
At today’s event, MOME announced the launch of the following initiatives:
· 50 for 50: In celebration of the 50th anniversary, MOME will present 50 free events throughout the upcoming year that will provide an inside look at New York’s entertainment industry. All 50 events will be open to the public.
· Access Broadway: Over 1,000 free tickets to Broadway shows throughout the year for NYCHA residents.
· MOME Movie Matinees: A wide-ranging partnership to provide low-income New York City families in all five boroughs with over 1,000 to attend feature films free of charge in theatres during the month of August 2016.
· Broadway in the Boroughs: In an effort to bring Broadway to new audiences, MOME will stage free performances in each borough this summer.
· ‘50 Years of Magic’ mobile app: Free mobile app will provide up-to-date details on all of the 50th anniversary events throughout the year, as well as an interactive map featuring highlights from NYC’s expansive film and TV history.
· Industry Retrospective – 50 Years of TV and Film in NYC: New report highlighting achievements of NYC’s film and TV sectors, and their contributions to the City’s economy.
Prior to the creation of the Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting fifty years ago, filming in New York City was extremely onerous, often requiring producers to obtain upwards of 50 permits to film projects. Gaining access to some of New York’s most popular locations was challenging and some officials would block filming based on the subject matter. Mayor Lindsay’s establishment of an official film commission would address these multiple problems and make New York the first city in the world to offer one-stop permits and expedite requests from production companies seeking to use public locations.
Today, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment serves as a one-stop shop supporting the City’s entertainment industries, and promotes New York as a thriving center of creativity. Each year, MOME issues thousands of permits for filming on public property, facilitating hundreds of film and television projects throughout the five boroughs.
“I grew up in New York – I chose to launch my production company here because there is no better setting than New York for your film, no better city to shoot in than New York. I feel fortunate every time I get to make a movie here,” said actor, producer, and Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Robert De Niro. “I want to congratulate Julie Menin and the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting on continuing a 50-year legacy of supporting storytelling in our great city.”
“Growing up in New York City, I was inspired by the energy and creativity of the people and places all around me. Attending public schools provided me a phenomenal foundation for my career in music and gave me an understanding of the diversity there is in the world. I’m excited to be an ambassador for MOME this year and support them as they give back to the City’s diverse communities by presenting free events in the outer boroughs in the coming months. This is a great time to be a part of New York’s rich and multi-cultural entertainment industry, and I’m glad to share this moment with New Yorkers from all backgrounds,” said celebrated artist Alicia Keys.
For more details on all of the programs, events, and initiatives described above, visit nyc.gov/mome.
To download the “50 Years of Magic” app, visit the Apple App Store.
