NEON announces in partnership with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the New York City Office of the Mayor, four free screenings of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HARLEM on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25. Through free screenings of Once Upon a Time in Harlem, Mayor Mamdani is uplifting this important film and the enduring legacy of the Harlem Renaissance, connecting New Yorkers to the artists, stories, and ideas that shaped New York City and left an indelible mark on American culture. The screenings will take place at 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.
In 1972, William Greaves brought together an extraordinary gathering of surviving artists, writers, and cultural luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance at Duke Ellington’s townhouse for an unforgettable afternoon of spirited debate, candid reflection, laughter, and exchange. Among those gathered were Aaron Douglas, Romare Bearden, Gerri Major, Arna Bontemps, Richard Bruce Nugent, James Van Der Zee, and Ida Mae Cullen, widow of poet Countee Cullen. Captured on 16mm film, this remarkable time capsule offers a rare, intimate seat at the table with the visionaries who helped shape a movement, as they reckon with its legacy, challenge one another, and reflect on the cultural force born in New York City that would reverberate across the globe.
In an era of renewed discourse over whose histories are preserved, taught, and remembered, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HARLEM makes the case for protecting Black cultural history as an essential part of the American story. This is a testament to the importance of preserving marginalized histories around the world. The gathering at Duke Ellington’s home was more than a reunion: it was a record of artists reflecting on their achievements, challenging one another, and considering the future of the culture they helped create. By bringing these voices into the present, William Greaves sought not only to document the lives and work of these luminaries, but also to explore how culture is passed from one generation to the next and the essential role artists play in keeping it alive.
SCREENING SCHEDULE
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
HOW TO CLAIM YOUR TICKET
Guests must RSVP in advance using the screening signup form: [RSVP FORM LINK]
*While an RSVP is required, it does not guarantee admission. This screening is overbooked; seats will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests must have their names documented on the RSVP list to be considered for entry. If there is any difficulty locating a reservation, guests must show proof of RSVP via email confirmation. Seat-saving is not permitted. If your guest arrives separately from you, we cannot guarantee that a seat will be available if we reach capacity ahead of their arrival. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the screening, though it is very possible lines will start forming hours before.