Brooklyn Public Library to Host New York Premiere of Documentary 9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero

Premiere includes a panel discussion with Carolyn Lukensmeyer, Dr. Sarah Sayeed, Josh Sabey and Michael Kimmelman

On September 10, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) will host the New York premiere of the documentary 9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero (2026). A panel discussion with AmericaSpeaks founder Carolyn Lukensmeyer, Chair and Executive Director of the NYC Civic Engagement Commission Dr. Sarah Sayeed and director Josh Sabey–moderated by New York Times architecture critic Michael Kimmelman–will accompany the premiere.

9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero follows Listening to the City, the 2002 public forum that brought New Yorkers together to shape the rebuilding of Ground Zero. The forum initially convened more than 5,000 representative New Yorkers to vote on the city’s six proposals for rebuilding Ground Zero. Participants challenged these plans, instead developing a new, ambitious vision for the site that is visible in the design today. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the 250th anniversary of the United States, the film highlights the possibilities of participatory democracy at a key moment in American history.

Josh Sabey is the co-founder of Matters Media and the director of 9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero. Additional projects include American Tragedy, The Basement Talks, and Blue Baby. His films have been featured on PBS World and NPR.

“This film tells the story of 5,000 New Yorkers who had every reason to be divided, but found a way to listen to one another and build something together,” said filmmaker Josh Sabey.“It’s a lesson for today. After 9/11, New Yorkers had to figure out not only how to rebuild, but how to rebuild together. Twenty-five years later, we need to learn how to do that again.”

“Twenty-five years after 9/11, we still remember and honor the people we lost, the heroic first responders and volunteers who led us through those initial dark days, and the everyday people who stepped up to help us rebuild,” said Linda E. Johnson, Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO. “This film follows some of the 5,000 New Yorkers who participated in one of the largest town halls in history, held to decide how Ground Zero should be rebuilt. This powerful demonstration of democracy is just as inspiring now as it was a quarter century ago.”

Panelist Carolyn Lukensmeyer helped design Listening to the City and serves as a key voice in 9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero. Lukensmeyer is a nationally recognized leader in democratic innovation and public engagement and founder of AmericaSpeaks, an organization that engages citizens in public decision-making at the local, regional and national levels. In addition to Listening to the City, she has advised cities, states, federal agencies and international institutions on participatory governance and democracy reform. 

As Chair and Executive Director of the NYC Civic Engagement Commission, panelist Dr. Sarah Sayeed leads work to strengthen civic participation and build a more inclusive public square for all New Yorkers. Through her roles as Senior Advisor in the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit under former Mayor Bill de Blasio and at the Interfaith Center of New York, Sayeed brings deep experience in interfaith relations to her work in community engagement.

The premiere and panel will take place in the Dweck Lobby of BPL’s Central Branch at 7pm. For more information please visit the BPL website. 

About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.

About Matters Media
Matters Media is a production company that creates media that matters. With eight feature films and counting, the company uses compelling, human centered storytelling to tackle complex social and civic issues in thoughtful, non-polarizing ways. Matters Media creates films designed to foster understanding across differences, build robust coalitions, spark meaningful dialogue, and help turn powerful stories into real world change.