The Bronx is home to 1.4 million people and there are only 4 movie theaters, none of which show documentary films.

In response to this void, the BDC started it’s Movies at Sundown summer film series in 2011. Movies at Sundown has grown to become the place to be for South Bronx residents on Thursday nights, drawing up to 100 residents per screening in the summer of 2012. Inspiring and though-provoking documentary films such as Romantico, Born into Brothels, Fernando Nation and Up Heartbreak Hill were screened on the patio of the BDC, followed by Q+A sessions with their respective directors.

For the purposes of this project, the Bronx Documentary Center (BDC) would like to expand Movies at Sundown to the Claremont Neighborhood Center (CNC) on 169th and 3rd Ave. The CNC The services the 18,000 residents of the section of New York City Housing Authority apartments known as “Claremont Villages”. The CNC provides innovative afternoon/evening and weekend recreational and educational programs to area youth and families through evidence based models. The CNC encourages residents to be proactive in becoming positive constituents in their communities -- helping them to also improve their socio-economic status and improve physical health. In addition, CNC hopes to foster collaborative working environments which will help them develop or improve social skills and increase academic performance and achievement.

Starting in June 2013, the BDC’s Movies at Sundown will invite one high profile documentary filmmaker per month to show their work at the Claremont Neighborhood Center. Filmmakers will get to share and discuss their work while providing residents with a safe, family-friendly activity which promotes discussion and culture in the South Bronx.