Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, in Partnership with NYCHA, Major Film Studios and Theater Companies, Announces Free Movie Tickets for Residents of New York City Public Housing

New York - NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) Commissioner Julie Menin today announced the launch of MOME Movie Matinees, a brand-new initiative providing free opportunities for New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents to attend a feature film currently in theaters. On Wednesday, August 31, 2016, select movie theaters throughout the five boroughs will participate in MOME Movie Matinees, providing NYCHA residents with vouchers to attend current family-friendly feature films, including The Secret Life of Pets, Star Trek Beyond, and Pete’s Dragon. Through MOME Movie Matinees, the agency is today providing NYCHA residents with access to the movie theater experience – a classic American pastime – which can often be cost-prohibitive for low-income families.

"A trip to see a movie in theaters can be a fun and engaging family activity, but the cost of entry often proves to be too much of a burden for many New York City families to bear," said MOME Commissioner Julie Menin. "We are thrilled to present the MOME Movie Matinees initiative as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, as it exemplifies our commitment to increasing access to entertainment opportunities for all New Yorkers. We encourage NYCHA residents throughout the five boroughs to join us on August 31 for this experience that will surely create great memories for low-income families around the City."

"As we work to create more connected communities at NYCHA, innovative partnerships help us increase residents’ opportunities to engage with all the city has to offer," said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. "This collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment opens movie theater doors to NYCHA residents, ensuring access to a fun summer activity. We want to thank MOME for their inclusive approach."

Over 2,000 NYCHA residents have received vouchers to participate in MOME Movie Matinees on August 31. Each voucher provides for a screening of one of five films at one of eight participating theaters throughout the City on that day. Moviegoers will be able to choose from one of the following five films:

• Independence Day: Resurgence (Fox Entertainment Group)
• The Legend of Tarzan (Warner Bros. Entertainment)
• Pete’s Dragon (The Walt Disney Company)
• The Secret Life of Pets (Universal Pictures)
• Star Trek Beyond (Paramount Pictures)

MOME Movie Matinees is made possible by the generosity of participating film studios Fox Entertainment Group, Warner Brothers Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures, as well as the National Association of Theatre Owners of New York State, as well as theater companies AMC, National Amusements, Regal Cinemas, and Brooklyn Academy of Music.

"Congratulations to MOME on its 50th anniversary. We are pleased to support and participate in MOME Movie Matinees," said Robert Sunshine, Executive Director of the National Association of Theatre Owners of New York State. "We applaud the city’s efforts to help increase access to entertainment opportunities for all New Yorkers."

The following movie theaters across the five boroughs will participate in the initiative, and each has agreed to show at least four of the five participating films in their theaters on August 31:

Bronx

• Concourse Plaza Multiplex, 214 East 161st Street

Brooklyn

• Linden Boulevard Multiplex Cinemas, 2784 Linden Boulevard
• BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Avenue

Manhattan

• AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13, 1998 Broadway

Queens

• AMC Loews Fresh Meadows 7, 190-02 Horace Harding Expressway
• Jamaica Multiplex, 15902 Jamaica Avenue
• Regal Kaufman Astoria Stadium 14, 35-30 38th Street

Staten Island

• Regal Staten Island 16, 2474 Forest Avenue

MOME Movie Matinees is presented in celebration of the agency’s 50th anniversary this year. During a kickoff event on June 8, 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. MOME's 50th anniversary initiatives and events all share the common theme of inclusion. Throughout the year, the agency will introduce initiatives and hold events that showcase a range of the City's world-class entertainment offerings accessible to New Yorkers across the five boroughs.