# Cinema Deserts

> Rockaway Film Festival co-founder Sam Fleischner argues cinema deserts need new community models.
- Title: Cinema Deserts · IndieWire | Shortify
- Summary: Rockaway Film Festival co-founder Sam Fleischner argues cinema deserts need new community models. Sam Fleischner, Rockaway Film Festival co-founder, says…
- Keywords: rockaway film festival, sam fleischner, cinema deserts, community cinema, new york city, entertainment, culture, Cinema, Deserts, IndieWire
- Source: IndieWire — https://indiewire.com/criticism/movies/cinema-deserts-rockaway-film-festival-sam-fleischner-1235221876
- Author: Sam Fleischner
- Published: 2026-10-14T19:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rockaway film festival, sam fleischner, cinema deserts, community cinema, new york city, entertainment, culture
## Cinema Deserts
The term 'cinema desert' resurfaces after Kips Bay AMC shuttering in New York City.
## Rockaway Film Festival
Sam Fleischner co-founded the festival to build community cinema spaces in New York's outer boroughs.
## Community Cinema Model
Fleischner's film 'Jetty' examines Rockaway's coastline reconstruction and human efforts to out-engineer nature.
## Key takeaway

Sam Fleischner, Rockaway Film Festival co-founder, says community cinema models can prevent cinema deserts in urban areas.