The US Premiere of Battle For Brooklyn, a controversial look at the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn will be the opening film event of 2011 Brooklyn Film Festival on June 3rd at Brooklyn Heights Cinemas at 8pm. The film will be also shown as a part of the Rooftop Films Summer Series on June 9th in Fort Greene Park. Prior to both Brooklyn screenings, the documentary will have its world premiere at the Toronto HotDocs festival on April 30th in Toronto, Canada. 

“We are extremely excited to be working with such strong Brooklyn institutions that have supported us for over a decade,” said Directors Suki Hawley and Michael Galinski.

“After searching for more than five years, graphic designer Daniel Goldstein finds the perfect place to call home in Brooklyn. Within months of moving in, however, he discovers that a new arena for the New Jersey Nets is slated to be built where his condo stands. The densest real estate development plan in US history, the Atlantic Yards project seeks to replace the existing neighborhood businesses and residences with 16 skyscrapers and a sports complex. Daniel becomes a reluctant activist when the government begins using eminent domain to force locals out, handing their property over to a private developer. Determined to fight back, Daniel participates in demonstrations, organizes meetings and gives media interviews and tours—anything to save his neighborhood. Spanning seven years, Battle for Brooklyn is the infuriating story of a greedy corporate Goliath and the new American way: corruption, bulldozing and corporate interests over citizen rights.”-Toronto Hot Docs

Brooklyn Film Festival has received over 2,400 films from 111 countries of which 1,200 are US productions. The competitive event will run from June 3rd through June 12th at indieScreen, a brand new venue in Williamsburg, and the Brooklyn Heights Cinemas. The festival will present 120 film premieres and each film will be shown twice. The full festival lineup will be announced in May 2011.