(New York, NY – June 8, 2023) – Metrograph, New York City’s celebrated Lower East Side repertory and first-run cinema, has tapped strategist and producer Roger Mancusi as Membership Consultant to lead new initiatives around the theater’s growing Membership community. Mancusi was previously with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as Manager of Member Relations and Global Outreach based in New York, overseeing member events, public screenings, and educational initiatives in the Tri-State Area. Mancusi will begin with Metrograph immediately.   

No stranger to the theater, from 2017 to 2020 Mancusi led the lauded Academy at Metrograph series, presenting hosted screenings and onstage conversations at Metrograph with filmmakers and scholars, featuring special tributes, rare video clips, and home movies from Hollywood legends. Guests included Roger Corman, Tom Savini, Nicholas Britell, and Kasi Lemmons, among others. As founder of Fair Oaks Entertainment production and consulting company, Mancusi also is active in the indie film sector on a professional and community level, where he’s served as producer on Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky’s Slamdance 2022 Grand Jury Prize Winner Hannah Ha Ha, released by Fandor earlier this year, named a New York Times Critic’s Pick, and has credits on Emma Seligman’s 2020 SXSW breakout Shiva Baby and Vuk Lungulov-Klotz’s 2023 Sundance award-winner Mutt.    

"Roger was instrumental in launching the iconic Academy at Metrograph screening series, and we are thrilled to work with him more,” said Metrograph founder Alexander Olch. “Between his previous events here with the Academy and his presence in the film community, Roger’s unique spirit and energy is the perfect fit for our growing Member community.” 

At Metrograph, Mancusi will be working with Director of Membership Lauren Williams and will use his years of experience at The Academy and as an active member and supporter of the independent film world to expand the offerings available to Metrograph Members —both the base of local patrons and those across the country enjoying content offerings at metrograph.com. In his first moves, Mancusi will introduce a new monthly Member Series catered towards the Metrograph community, produce exclusive, members-only events in person, and spearhead a new investment into producing original video programming for Metrograph.com. 

"Joining the Metrograph community is an exciting opportunity to bring filmmakers and film lovers together,” said Mancusi on the new position. “It's great to be partnering with Alexander and Christian again, and I look forward to welcoming a wide variety of artists from across the industry into the space and online at Metrograph.com.” 

Metrograph was first opened in 2016 and has championed a curated world of cinema. The theater is a beloved stop for award-winning filmmakers, buzzy studio premieres, and industry events with recent guests including Martin Scorsese for Showtime’s Personality Crisis: One Night Only, Ari Aster for A24’s Beau Is Afraid, Willem Dafoe for Focus Features’ Inside, and Florence Pugh for MGM’s A Good Person.

"Metrograph is at an exciting moment, where we have had record attendance in 2023 and a rapidly growing digital membership on our SVOD platform,” added Metrograph CEO Christian Grass. “We're excited about Roger's ideas to foster a community in the space, and drive growth online with exclusive content that he will produce.”

Metrograph Membership costs $5 a month/$50 annually and includes access to streaming content, exclusive merchandise, along with benefits at the New York theater such as $10 movie tickets, discounts at the bookstore and restaurant, and invitations to special members only events.

Metrograph’s growth includes the 2019 Metrograph launch of its distribution arm, Metrograph Pictures, its notable titles including the 4K restoration of Possession, SXSW breakout Sisters With Transistors, and re-release of The French, presented by Wes Anderson. The company’s streaming service, Metrograph At Home, launched in 2020 and brought expanded access to the theater’s exceptional curation nationwide with exclusive streaming and interview content. Dynamic Membership opportunities across all facets of the company have been an integral part of the company’s growth.

Earlier this year, Metrograph announced Inge de Leeuw, formerly International Film Festival Rotterdam’s English language programmer, as Director of Programming leading the curatorial team, which expanded in 2022 to include Lydia Ogwang, who joined from TIFF’s Cinematheque and Festival Programming teams. 

Follow for updates on Twitter and Instagram @Metrograph.