EPIX and Verizon (News - Alert) FiOS announced the first annual EPIX Movie Free-For-All offering powered by Verizon FiOS for movie fans across New York City. The summer long free screening series begins today in Tompkins Square Park. To kick off the event, boxing promoter Don King will be personally introducing Raging Bull as the first feature.

The event, planned and presented in collaboration with the New York based non-profit festival producer Rooftop Films as well as several other local organizations, will feature more than 30 free screening events. These include Coney Island Flicks on the Beach, with NYC & Company and the Coney Island Development Corp; SummerScreen at McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; Socrates Outdoor Cinema at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Queens and Films in Tompkins at Tompkins Square Park in downtown Manhattan.

EPIX and Verizon FiOS (News - Alert) have planned a series of promotions and movie memorabilia giveaways to promote the event. Movie fans will be able to try their hand at on-site sweepstakes which award movie related giveaways such as movie tickets, signed movie art such as Raging Bull posters autographed by Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese. Fans can also take part in the sweepstakes through social media marketing platforms such as Twitter, Foursquare (News - Alert), Facebook and several blogger partnerships. Other attractions include a home theater makeover with HDTV, Blu-ray and surround sound system and Lionsgate premiere of Abduction starring Taylor Lautner for two.

In a release, Mark Greenberg, President and CEO, EPIX said that “This is an incredibly fun event for EPIX and Verizon FiOS and a great way to interact with all of New York City. We are excited about working with FiOS to expand free outdoor movie screenings throughout the city, adding more events and bigger movies while raising awareness of EPIX and selling FiOS subscriptions.”

A strategic media campaign for the event includes advertising all through New York City subways and in popular publications such as The New York Post, AM New York. Local radio stations Z100 and LITE FM will be broadcasting advertisements. In-store signs and flyers will be distributed during street fairs and at select Verizon retail stores across the city.

Susan Retta, Verizon Vice President of Marketing commented that “Our partnership with EPIX is a great opportunity for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy the best in film this summer, in a great atmosphere. Verizon FiOS TV is pleased to co-present this popular selection of films this summer and deliver these and thousands more titles year-round to our FiOS TV EPIX subscribers.”