Step into one of the most extraordinary urban legends of the 21st century. In 2003, eight Rhode Island artists secretly transformed a hidden space inside Providence Place Mall into a fully furnished 750-square-foot apartment. For four years, they lived undetected, filmed their daily lives, and created a private sanctuary that doubled as a work of public and private art—defying gentrification, corporate oversight, and convention.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jeremy Workman (Lily Topples the World) and executive produced by Jesse Eisenberg, SECRET MALL APARTMENT reveals never-before-seen footage and, for the first time, the identities of all eight participants. The film is more than a wild prank—it’s a compelling story of art, resistance, and self-expression. From smuggling furniture and cinderblocks to volunteering and creating large-scale art projects, the participants’ ingenuity and dedication are inspiring. The film has also garnered extraordinary success on Netflix, rising to the 4th most watched film in North America and cracking the top 10 globally.
Post-Screening Panel Discussion & Q&A Join moderator Dante Bellini, Jr. and these esteemed participants for a discussion about the film and the making of the apartment, the creative process, and the legacy of this audacious art project. Audience questions are welcome in this rare behind-the-scenes conversation.
Featured Participants
· Dante Bellini, Jr. (Director/Producer) – Emmy, Telly, and Hatch award-winning producer and documentarian. His films include Ken Burns – Here & There, Demons & Dragons and LILLIAN. Locally, he produced and directed the award-winning short, Malassada Day.
· Michael Townsend – Founder of the Tape Art movement, creator of much of the Secret Mall Apartment footage, and teacher of collaborative drawing to over 60,000 students worldwide.
· Jeremy Workman (Director/Producer) – Director of Lily Topples the World, The World Before Your Feet, and Magical Universe, recognized globally for his insightful storytelling.
Tickets: Members: $12.50 | General Public: $25
Limited seating—reserve your spot early for an unforgettable evening of film, conversation, and discovery.
