The Maysles Institute

Grey Gardens filmmakers Albert and David Maysles transformed documentary moviemaking, and the brothers' commitment to the art form takes permanent expression with their eponymous institute. It runs two major programs. The Summer Film Program for Youth is a six-week course for young Harlem residents, which teaches them the production techniques necessary to create short documentaries. The results of their efforts are screened at Maysles Cinema, the other component of the institute. Besides showing student work, the 60-seat theater is the only venue in northern Manhattan dedicated to documentary film generally, and it features topics relevant to the community.