Free “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” screenings set for October 24-25

By Daniel Okafor

Neon and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced four free screenings of “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” for October 24 and 25. The joint announcement names three host venues: AMC Magic Johnson Harlem, Film Forum, and Film at Lincoln Center. It lists no start times or venue assignments, leaving the practical details unusually thin.

Four screenings, three venues, two days. The arithmetic is tidy; the planning is less so.

When and where do the screenings happen?

• Dates: Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25
• Venues: AMC Magic Johnson Harlem; Film Forum; Film at Lincoln Center
• Admission: Free, with tickets reserved through the announcement’s RSVP link

The announcement says the program will celebrate the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance and the enduring global power of art, culture, and creativity.

The Harlem announcement came one day after Neon announced a partnership with The Guardian to expand the theatrical release of “NAZA,” another documentary Oscar contender. The announcements sit next to each other, not in the same campaign. “NAZA” concerns another film. The Greaves project comes with a family history of its own.

What does Mamdani say?

Mamdani put the civic case plainly. In a statement, he said:

“’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.”

“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.”

What does the film document?

According to the joint announcement, the late William Greaves co-directed “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” with his son David Greaves. William’s granddaughter Liani Greaves produced the film. The central material comprises footage William shot in 1972 at a gathering of Harlem Renaissance luminaries at Duke Ellington’s townhouse.

Neon’s festival history places the premiere at Sundance. It then lists Cannes, Telluride, Toronto, and New York, among other festivals. The announcement places the film in this year’s Best Documentary Feature Oscar race, the awards-season contest for that category. It also records five Critics Choice Documentary Awards nominations.

The Oscar language signals momentum, not a reported nomination. The five critics’ nominations are firmer ground. Neither fact guarantees a wider audience, which is where the free screenings enter.

How did the project continue?

According to the announcement, after William Greaves died in 2014, his wife Louise Archambault worked tirelessly to bring the project to life. Archambault died in 2023. David Greaves later took on the project, and Liani Greaves produced it.

David and Liani Greaves said:

“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.”

What comes after the screenings?

The four screenings form a miniature festival circuit across three institutions, with no ticket price and one stop at AMC Magic Johnson Harlem. The announcement does not outline a wider theatrical run for the title. Its next test is whether this compact weekend produces sustained public attention after the free seats disappear.