Commissioner Rafael Espinal

Commissioner of New York City's Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment | @MadeinNY | @NYC_Media

[Commissioner Rafael Espinal @NYCMOMECommish]

Since @NYCMayor Mamdani appointed me to lead MOME 6 months ago, we’ve been working hard to make NYC’s creative culture more accessible & affordable than ever, under the leadership of @DMJulieSu.

Here are some of things we’ve accomplished so far, in 60 seconds.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

Astoria's famed Kaufman Studios is thriving, with all 9 stages currently at capacity with productions including #MadeinNY staple @sesamestreet and Apple's newest series.

Thanks to these local productions filming at Kaufman, hundreds of New Yorkers working on site have good-paying jobs. Shout out to Shadowbox Studios for inviting the MOME team to tour this great facility.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

NYC filmmakers, we want to hear from you!

Our first-ever #MadeinNY Filmmaker Listening Tour is coming to all five boroughs -- and the STATEN ISLAND stop is happening TODAY at @AlamoNYC.

Sign up now: https://t.co/8OPYwzYRCg

We want to hear about how we can support YOU - our local talent - so we can create a stronger ecosystem for the entire filmmaking community throughout the city.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

Five boroughs, five comedians, one champ.

NYC, join MOME as we help pick the funniest New Yorkers from across the city, as they compete for the title of @nycomedyfest's Battle for the Funniest Borough. It's all happening LIVE at 7pm this Wednesday at @thestandnyc.

Watch it with us: https://t.co/B70WUUZdof.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

MOME November highlights are here!

Get updates on the upcoming stops of the #MadeinNY Filmmaker Listening Tour in Queens & Staten Island, the @nycomedyfest, Playback: The Brooklyn Watch Party with BAM & Spike Lee, #MadeinNY Talk w/ @CenCom, @DOCNYCfest + more: https://t.co/tjVT41YkfI

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

Statement from @NYCMOMECommish on the closing of Cinema 123:

“The closure of Cinema 123 after more than 60 years is a tremendous loss for New York City.

“From showcasing the work of icons like Stanley Kubrick and John Schlesinger to introducing audiences to Monty Python, this theater helped shape New York’s film culture while giving independent cinema a place to thrive. When a neighborhood cinema closes, we lose more than a movie screen. We lose a place where communities come together, filmmakers find audiences, and New Yorkers experience the magic of cinema.

“These spaces are essential to our city’s cultural identity, and we cannot afford to keep losing them. The @nycmayor Mamdani administration is committed to supporting neighborhood theaters, and through initiatives like Cinema Week with Art House NY, we’re working to bring new audiences through their doors and make cinema more accessible to every New Yorker.

“The best way to honor Cinema 123 is to go to the movies! Find your neighborhood theater and buy a ticket this week.”

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

The MOME/@MadeinNY team is going out onto the streets to listen from filmmakers firsthand, so we can create a stronger ecosystem for the entire filmlmaking community.

We’ve got two boroughs left, Staten Island at @AlamoNYC on Tuesday, November 10th and Queens at @QueensWorldFilm on Friday, November 13th. Find out more here: https://t.co/9dXDrQiHDR

Shout out to @NatashaVermaTV for the interview on @fox5ny, check it out.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

Broadcasters, podcasters, and filmmakers, check this out: @MNNNYC offers free access to TV studios, editing stations, expert production support, and broadcasting opportunities.

As the nation’s largest community media center, the Manhattan Neighborhood Network has been serving the public for over 30 years.

Memberships are free, so find out more at https://t.co/FkquMWpFwt.

[Commissioner Rafael Espinal @NYCMOMECommish]

We spoke about the importance of our office getting more young New Yorkers involved in the film/TV industry, including creating more opportunities in workforce, and access to affordable equipment.

[Commissioner Rafael Espinal @NYCMOMECommish]

Great conversation with Bronx-based filmmakers about what MOME and the City of NY can do to help you get your projects on the ground, at the #MadeinNY Listening Tour stop at @LehmanCollege. Thanks for sharing your feedback with us.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

What does MOME's Film Office do?

Sure, the office is the to-go stop for film permitting on NYC streets, but we're also creating opportunities for New Yorkers get jobs on sets of local film/TV productions, and ensuring all New Yorkers enjoy the magic of cinema.

Find out more at https://t.co/n4QEWVUXn7, and @Variety and Outfront Experience and Culture Summit: The IRL Advantage.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

MOME's helping open even more doors to studios and soundstages in NYC for local film/TV.

From the recently renewed "The Diplomat" shooting at Brooklyn’s Steiner Studios to "Dexter: Resurrection" at Manhattan’s Sunset Pier 94 Studios and "Focker-in-Law" at Queens’ Wildflower Studios, film and TV production is booming, and it's no surprise that studio space is filling up throughout the city.

More productions mean thousands of good-paying jobs for New Yorkers, and support of local small businesses working with them, giving back to NYC's local economy.

All this - as well as NY's State Tax Credit, MOME's one-stop-shop Film Office, and the collaboration of city agencies working to ensure productions of all sizes get the assistance they need to complete their projects - is why NYC's had a major surge in filming. And this is just the beginning.

Check out @deadline to see what the city, and local studios and soundstages, offer productions year-round. https://t.co/Gt9SOJcpjz

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

Too much filming in your neighborhood? You can talk directly to us about your film concerns.

NYC’s film industry is booming, but more production means more questions from locals about permitting. Here are three things you didn’t know about filing a film complaint, straight from the NYC Film Office.

Learn more: https://t.co/n4QEWVUXn7

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

NYC filmmakers, we want to hear from you!

Our #MadeinNY Filmmaker Listening Tour is happening throughout the five boroughs -- and the QUEENS stop is coming up, on November 13th with @QueensWorldFilm at @MovingImageNYC.

We want to hear about how we can support YOU - our local talent - so we can create a stronger ecosystem for the entire filmmaking community throughout the city.

The listening tour is FREE; sign up now: https://t.co/qsNvt9ExEp

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

NYC filmmakers, we want to hear from you! Our first-ever #MadeinNY Filmmaker Listening Tour is coming to all five boroughs -- and the BRONX stop is coming up, this Wednesday at @LehmanCollege.

We want to hear about how we can support YOU - our local talent - so we can create a stronger ecosystem for the entire filmmaking community throughout the city.

The listening tour is FREE; sign up now: https://t.co/9dXDrQiHDR.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

New Yorkers, catch a FREE screening of the acclaimed #MadeinNY documentary "Once Upon a Time in Harlem" courtesy of @neonrated & @NYCMayor, this weekend at @AMCTheatres Magic Johnson Harlem 9, @FilmForumNYC & @FilmLinc!

Get tickets now: https://t.co/6yNIYHJFTP.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

Broadway is the very heart of NYC's arts community, and fans locally and worldwide are enjoying these live performance experiences in masses.

The 2024–2025 Broadway season’s success extended beyond the stage, boosting local restaurants, hotels, shops, taxis, and attractions. This impact generated billions of dollars for NYC’s economy and supported more than 100,000 jobs for New Yorkers.

Check out the full report at @DEADLINE and @BroadwayLeague. https://t.co/dkLB5OXryN

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

NYC filmmakers, we want to hear from you!

Our #MadeinNY Filmmaker Listening Tour is happening throughout the five boroughs -- and the STATEN ISLAND stop is coming up, on November 10th at @AlamoNYC.

We want to hear about how we can support YOU - our local talent - so we can create a stronger ecosystem for the entire filmmaking community throughout the city.

The listening tour is FREE; sign up now: https://t.co/XwWYnB2nVk

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

You can try to fake it, but there’s no replacing the real New York City.

For more info how to actually film in NYC, visit https://t.co/AbvZC7qp5p.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

CONGRATULATIONS to "The Super," the first vertical series awarded a #MadeInNY Award! 👏👏

"The Super," chosen by New Yorkers as their favorite "Created in NY" series through MOME's campaign spotlighting vertical storytelling, was honored at this weekend's ALZA Film Festival.

The five finalists of the "Created in NY" campaign show just how much talent is emerging through this new format. As storytelling evolves, so should the opportunities and recognition we give the people creating it. Check out the finalists' videos at https://t.co/hzG6jgGX5v.

Shout out to Romel Rodriguez, Tommy Pena, and Jasmine Ruiz for their​ amazing work.

[NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment @MadeinNY]

There's no place to film like NYC!

New York City’s drawing major titles and indie projects at a record pace, according to a new report in industry tracker ProdPro. 📽️

With soundstages across all five boroughs, a huge union base of talented and crew both in front of and behind the camera, and MOME working to make the city’s permitting process seamless for productions of all sizes, NYC continues to prove it’s a world-class destination for film and television.

And we’re just getting started!

Read more at @@THR. https://t.co/E1iD8rJIcO