The following is a press release from the Tony Awards:
The American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards have announced that Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor, and host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show,” James Corden, will host the 73rd Annual Tony® Awards, airing LIVE on Sunday, June 9, 2019 (8:00PM ET / delayed PT) from Radio City Music Hall in New York City on CBS. This marks Corden’s second time hosting The Tony Awards. Corden previously hosted the 70thAnnual Tony Awards, which won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Program. Corden also won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for his 2012 performance in “One Man. Two Guvnors.”
“I’m thrilled to be returning to host the Tony Awards, the Broadway community is very dear to my heart and I’m beyond proud to be part of this incredibly special night,” said James Corden.
“James is not only a beloved talent, he is also a veteran of the stage and has a true passion for Broadway,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing. “We cannot wait to see what he has in store for us this year at the Tony Awards!”
“Hilarious. Insanely talented. Musical savant. Brilliantly unpredictable. James Corden!” exclaimed executive producers Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss.
“We are thrilled to have the one and only James Corden return to host his second Tony Awards,” said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment. “James is the ultimate master of ceremonies to lead a night of live event television, celebrating live theater. He is an incredibly charming host, brilliant performer and fearless on stage – with James, anything can happen, and probably will!”
James Corden is an Emmy Award-winning, multifaceted performer, host, writer and producer with accomplishments that span television, theater, film and comedy. Individually, Corden has won seven Emmy Awards, for his work on “The Late Late Show,” the “Carpool Karaoke” series for Apple Music, and “The 70th Annual Tony Awards.” Since he took over as host of “The Late Late Show” on March 23, 2015, the show itself has won five Emmys, a Critic’s Choice Award for Best Talk Show, has achieved its highest ratings since the show’s inception in 1995, and has become known for Corden’s groundbreaking videos and sketches, including the viral segments “Carpool Karaoke,” “Crosswalk the Musical,” “Drop the Mic” and “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts.” Additionally, Corden hosted the Grammy Awards in 2017 and 2018. Also, he won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for his performance in “One Man, Two Guvnors” in 2012.
Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment will return as executive producers. Weiss will also serve as director for the 20th consecutive year. Ben Winston is a producer.
Nominations for the 2019 Tony Awards will be announced live from The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center on April 30, 2019.
For more information on the Tony Awards, visit TonyAwards.com and Facebook.com/TheTonyAwards and follow @TheTonyAwards on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.
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About the Tony Awards
The American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At The Broadway League, Thomas Schumacher is Chairman and Charlotte St. Martin is President. At the American Theatre Wing, David Henry Hwang is Chair and Heather A. Hitchens is President & CEO. Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment are the Executive Producers of the 2019 Tony Awards. Mr. Weiss will also serve as Director of the 2019 Tony Awards.
Sponsors for Tony Awards include: Carnegie Mellon University – the first-ever, exclusive higher education partner; City National – official bank of the Tony Awards and presenting sponsor of the Creative Arts Awards; Sofitel New York – the official hotel of the Tony Awards; Rainbow Room – official partner of the Tony Nominee Luncheon; United Airlines – the official airline of the Tony Awards for the last 18 years and People/Entertainment Weekly – official magazine partners of the Tony Awards.
Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
The following is a press release from the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Talks program will return to entertain and inspire audiences at the 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, taking place April 24 – May 5. This year’s lineup will include intimate and once in a lifetime conversations with a diverse list of groundbreaking and critically acclaimed filmmakers, artists, entertainers, and icons.
Tribeca Talks: Directors Series will feature some of the industry’s most renowned filmmakers who will share stories and highlights from their illustrious careers. Longtime filmmaking partners Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro will come together for a conversation at the Beacon Theatre. From Mean Streets to their upcoming The Irishman, the duo will reflect on their decades-long working relationship. This year’s series will also include a conversation with Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, and Oscar-nominated filmmaker David O. Russell will be joined by his frequent collaborator Jennifer Lawrence.
Tribeca Talks: Storytellers spotlights pioneering creators working across multiple mediums. This accomplished group includes musician Questlove; comedian Sarah Silverman in conversation with Mike Birbiglia; actor and writer Rashida Jones; actors Michael J. Fox and Denis Leary will come together for a one-on-one conversation; and author and VR pioneer Jaron Lanier. There will also be a special Tribeca Talk featuring a conversation with Queen Latifah and Dee Rees about Queen’s extraordinary career followed by the premiere of the Queen Collective shorts.
Tribeca Games Presents a conversation with legendary video game creator Hideo Kojima and actor Norman Reedus to discuss working together on the upcoming video game, Death Stranding.
“Our Tribeca Talks have been so successful because they bring together cultural icons to discuss and debate a wide range of topics,” said Paula Weinstein, EVP of Tribeca Enterprises. “With each participant comes a different perspective and set of career experiences, which, when juxtaposed with those of the other participants and audience members, creates an exclusive experience. No two Tribeca Talks are the same.”
Tribeca Talks: Master Classes, a series of free events to engage with the film industry, will return with each class focusing on a different aspect of the filmmaking process, breaking down the intricacies and discussing them in-depth. This year’s series will offer an inside look at film producing with esteemed Oscar and Golden Globe winner Irwin Winkler. The series will also include a master class on The Art of Cinematic Sound presented by The Dolby Institute and a class discussing the rise of New Online Work (N.O.W.) and the process of translating from the web to the screen.
The Festival announced additional feature films as part of the Movies Plus section. The series gives audiences the opportunity to hear directly from the filmmakers and creators about their projects’ themes through lively panels, discussions, and performances following the screenings. The films include Luce,It Takes a Lunatic, Meeting Gorbachev, The Wrong Man, and Waldo on Weed, and more.
“As cinema continues to grow and change, we wanted to broaden the Tribeca Talks program to include a wider spectrum of filmmakers than ever before,” said Cara Cusumano, Festival Director of the Tribeca Film Festival. “This lineup of speakers includes those creatives at the cutting edge of innovative storytelling alongside some of the all time greats.”
TRIBECA TALKS: DIRECTORS SERIES
In Partnership with Squarespace
Today’s most groundbreaking filmmakers discuss their careers and highlights.
Robert De Niro (Photo by Brigitte Lacombe)
Martin Scorsese (Photo by Brigitte Lacombe)
Tribeca Talks: Directors Series – Martin Scorsese with Robert De Niro Martin Scorsese is an Academy Award®-winning director and one of the most influential and celebrated filmmakers working today. He has directed some of the mostly highly-regarded, critically acclaimed films, including Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Gangs of New York, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street and Silence. He will sit down with the Academy Award®-winning actor and frequent collaborator Robert De Niro, who he has directed in nine feature films, including his Academy Award®-winning performance as boxer Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull. Scorsese has directed documentaries including the Peabody Award-winning No Direction Home: Bob Dylan and the Emmy Award®-winning George Harrison: Living in the Material World. He was the executive producer on the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire, winning an Emmy Award® and DGA Award for directing the pilot episode. This legendary duo will come together at the Beacon Theatre to reflect upon their illustrious decades of collaboration from Mean Streets to their upcoming film, The Irishman.
Event time: Sunday, April 28 at 2:00 PM, Beacon Theatre
Tribeca Talks: Directors Series – Guillermo del Toro
Among the most creative and visionary artists working today, Guillermo del Toro will discuss his prolific career turning horror, fairy tales, and the supernatural into world-class filmmaking. Del Toro earned widespread acclaim and multiple Academy Award® wins for 2006 fantasy drama, Pan’s Labyrinth. His 2018 film, The Shape of Water, won four Academy Awards® including Best Director and Best Picture. His other work includes beloved genre films such as Cronos, Mimic, The Devil’s Backbone, Hellboy, Pacific Rim, and Crimson Peak. In this conversation, the auteur will give audiences an exclusive look into his creative process.
Event time: Thursday, April 25 at 8:00 PM, BMCC
Tribeca Talks: Directors Series – David O. Russell with Jennifer Lawrence David O. Russell is an acclaimed Oscar®-nominated film writer, director, and producer known for his cinema of intense, tragi-comedic characters and worlds. Russell has earned immense acclaim and recognition throughout his career, most notably for his Academy Award® and Golden Globe® winning films The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook, and American Hustle. Russell will be joined in conversation by Academy-Award® winning actor and frequent collaborator Jennifer Lawrence, who he has directed to three Golden Globe® wins and three of her four Oscar® nominations, including a Best Actress win for her role in Silver Linings Playbook. This iconic duo will come together for an extraordinary, one-on-one conversation covering their remarkable creative relationship.
Event time: Saturday, April 27 at 6:00 PM, BMCC
TRIBECA TALKS: STORYTELLERS
Sponsored by Montefiore
This series celebrates the illustrious careers of today’s most innovative creators, who have broken from traditional roles and pioneered their own forms of storytelling.
Questlove (Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBC)
Tribeca Talks: Storytellers – Questlove Questlove is an iconic drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and, as a member of The Roots, the unmistakable heartbeat of Philadelphia’s most influential hip-hop group. He is the Musical Director for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where his Roots crew serves as house band. Beyond that, this five-time Grammy Award®-winning musician’s indisputable reputation has landed him musical directing positions with everyone from D’Angelo and Eminem to Jay-Z. Join Questlove in conversation for a celebration of his boundless and eclectic career.
Event time: Tuesday, April 30 at 8:30 PM, Tribeca Festival Hub
Tribeca Talks: Storytellers – Sarah Silverman with Mike Birbiglia Sarah Silverman is a force in stand-up comedy, but this two-time Emmy Award® winner works across a variety of mediums and has cemented herself as one of the most versatile talents working today. Silverman’s many credits include the Emmy®-nominated Hulu talk series I Love You, America and the acclaimed films I Smile Back and Battle of the Sexes. She has lent her voice to the Emmy Award®-winning animated series Bob’s Burgers and the Wreck it Ralph films, and received widespread praise for her 2017 Netflix stand-up special A Speck of Dust. Silverman will be joined in conversation by fellow comedian, actor, and filmmaker Mike Birbiglia, best known for his indie breakout films Sleepwalk with Me and Don’t Think Twice – for which he was the writer, director and star – as well as his guest role as Oscar Langstraat on the hit series Billions, and his celebrated solo Broadway play The New One. Silverman and Birbiglia share a unique gift for transforming the deeply personal into the universal and will come together to discuss their creative processes as comedians, storytellers and performers.
Event time: Monday, April 29 at 8:00 PM, BMCC
Tribeca Talks: Storytellers – Michael J. Fox with Denis Leary Michael J. Fox is an acclaimed television and film actor known for his iconic work on the sitcom Family Ties and the classic film trilogy Back to the Future. At 29, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, news the actor and icon shared publicly in 1998. In 2000, he established The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to advance scientific progress toward a cure. In addition to his Parkinson’s advocacy, Fox is a NY Times bestselling author and his acting continues to earn him widespread recognition, including a Grammy®, four Golden Globes®, two SAG® awards and five Emmy Awards®, including a win for his guest appearance on Rescue Me, the critically acclaimed show created by and starring his longtime friend and fellow hockey lover, Denis Leary. Join these two spirited entertainers and friends for an illuminating and lighthearted conversation that will cover the breadth of Fox’s remarkable career.
Event time: Tuesday, April 30 at 6:00 PM, BMCC
Tribeca Talks: Storytellers – Jaron Lanier Jaron Lanier, a celebrated writer, computer scientist, musician, is frequently cited for his pioneering work in Virtual Reality. He is known for charting a humanistic approach to technology appreciation and criticism, wrote books including Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now, has consulted on films such as Minority Report and The Circle, and created music with Philip Glass and T Bone Burnett. Lanier takes a singular approach to the intersection between technology and the arts, evidenced by his significant creative output. In this enticing talk, he discusses his dynamic and prolific career while illustrating the powerful connection between science, music, and storytelling.
Event time: Saturday, April 27 at 2:00 PM, Tribeca Festival Hub
Tribeca Talks: Storytellers – Rashida Jones
Versatile actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and Harvard graduate Rashida Jones will be in conversation to discuss an illustrious and accomplished career that spans across a variety of mediums. She co-wrote and starred in the indie breakout film Celeste and Jesse Forever, and received widespread acclaim for her sophomore directorial effort Quincy—an intimate portrait of her father and music legend Quincy Jones. She is the executive producer of the TNT hit-series Claws and currently stars on the TBS series Angie Tribeca.
Event Time: Wednesday, May 1 at 6:00 PM, BMCC
TRIBECA TALKS: MASTER CLASSES
Supported by The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment
Tribeca Talks: Master Classes feature in-depth conversations focusing on a specific sector of the filmmaking process.
Benjamin Burtt
Gary Rydstrom
Tribeca Talks: Master Class – The Art of Cinematic Sound
Following the world premiere screening of Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound, three of the industry’s most legendary and decorated sound designers will come together in conversation to discuss the art and craft of sound design. Oscar winner Walter Murch created indelible soundscapes on such films as The Conversation, The Godfather and The English Patient, winning three Academy Awards® including for his work on Apocalypse Now, where he coined the term “sound designer.” Ben Burtt transported audiences to a galaxy far, far away, winning Academy Awards® for his masterful sound work on such films as Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Gary Rydstrom created visionary sound designs on such iconic films as Jurassic Park, Toy Story, Titanic, and Saving Private Ryan, and has won a total of seven Academy Awards® and two Career Achievement Awards. Join these illustrious sound designers as they speak to their creative process and illuminate how their work has evolved the craft of sound on film. Moderated by the Director of the Dolby® Institute Glenn Kiser.
Event Time: Monday, April 29 at 5:00 PM, SVA-02
Tribeca Talks: Master Class – Irwin Winkler on the Art and Craft of Producing
With a career spanning over 50 years, Academy Award®-winning producer and director Irwin Winkler is one of the most prolific and decorated producers working in the industry today. His incalculable contributions to cinema include his work on such films as Rocky, Raging Bull, The Right Stuff, Goodfellas, The Wolf of Wall Street, Creed, Silence, and the upcoming film, The Irishman. He has received numerous honors, including the Commandeur des Arts et Lettres and the 2017 Producers Guild of America’s David O. Selznick Achievement Award. For this master class discussion, Winkler will walk audiences through his process of getting a movie made, what it really means to be a great producer, and illuminate the innumerable ways in which producing is integral to the filmmaking process.
Event Time: Friday, May 3 at 3:30 PM, SVA-2
Tribeca Talks: Master Class – The Journey of Digital Storytelling to TV: A Discussion with HBO Talent
Source material for Television series has changed over the past decade. As the media landscape continues to shift, the model of stories that are created solely from original concepts or adapted from literature has become more and more open to interpretation. Now, we see networks like HBO finding unique and diverse voices from the ever-expanding sphere of media. Web series and podcasts have become increasingly exciting areas from which to build a fleshed-out series. Join HBO talent who hail from the digital storytelling space as they discuss the process of transitioning their series to the small screen.
Event Time: Saturday, May 4 at 3:30 PM, SVA-1
TRIBECA TALKS: QUEEN LATIFAH WITH DEE REES
with the premiere of the Queen Collective shorts
Sponsored by P&G
Dee Rees at the 55th New York Film Festival premiere of “Mudbound” at Alice Tully Hall in New York City on October 12, 2017. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Netflix)
Queen Latifah is a critically acclaimed and award winning musician, actor, label president, author and entrepreneur. The first hip-hop artist to be crowned with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Latifah has had immeasurable success in music and acting; she has received Grammy®, Emmy®, and Golden Globe® awards for work, as well as an Academy Award® nomination for her portrayal of Mama Morton in Chicago. The trailblazing, Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter and director Dee Rees, who directed Latifah to a SAG award for her role in the HBO film Bessie, will join Latifah in conversation to discuss her extraordinary and multifaceted career. Together, these two remarkable storytellers will cover Latifah’s creative journey from musician to actor to entrepreneur, and how she is using her influence to mentor and uplift diverse female filmmakers in order to accelerate gender and racial equality behind the camera
Event time: Friday, April 26 at 5:30 PM, Tribeca Festival Hub
Following the talk will be the debut of The Queen Collective short documentaries. The Queen Collective is a program developed in partnership with Procter & Gamble and Queen Latifah with Flavor Unit Entertainment, aimed at accelerating gender and racial equality behind the camera. Created by diverse young women – these short films inspire positive social change and embody Procter and Gamble’s commitment to supporting gender and racial equity, on-screen and behind the scenes.
Ballet After Dark – Directed by B.Monét. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Ballet After Dark tells the story a young woman who found the strength to survive after an attack. She created an organization that is helping sexual abuse and domestic violence survivors find healing after trauma through dance therapy
If There Is Light – Directed by Haley Elizabeth Anderson. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Fourteen-year-old Janiyah Blackmon wrestles with her new life in New York City as her mom tries to move her family out of the shelter system and into a stable home. With Janiyah Blackmon, McKayla Blackmon, Jakena Blackmon.
TRIBECA GAMES PRESENTS: HIDEO KOJIMA WITH NORMAN REEDUS
Hideo Kojima
Norman Reedus at the 22nd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on December 11, 2016. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images for Fashion Media)
World-renowned auteur game creator Hideo Kojima, widely considered the father of the stealth genre, has been hard at work on the highly anticipated PlayStation®4 title Death Stranding. Little is known about this mysterious new project, and speculation from fans and industry alike have created a deafening excitement. To discuss his boundary-pushing new game, Hideo Kojima will be joined by the star of Death Stranding, Norman Reedus, best known for his star-turning performances in The Boondock Saints and the acclaimed series The Walking Dead. Together, they will discuss pushing the boundaries of the video game medium and talk about how their relationship has established over working on the title together. This exclusive conversation will be moderated by game journalist Geoff Keighley, whose work and creation of The Game Awards has furthered the appreciation and understanding of the video game industry.
Death Stranding is a trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. Created and developed by Kojima Productions. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
Event time: Thursday, April 25 at 6:00 PM, BMCC
MOVIES PLUS
A Tribeca tradition, Movies Plus offers audiences the unique opportunity to continue the experience of a film through buzzworthy conversations or performances after each special screening.
Wynn Handman (pictured at right) in “It Takes a Lunatic” (Photo by Cliff Lipson)
It Takes a Lunatic, directed and produced by Billy Lyons. (USA, UK, Germany) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. A tribute to the life and legacy of influential acting teacher Wynn Handman, whose American Place Theater helped launched the off Broadway scene, as well as the careers of students from Richard Gere and Michael Douglas to Sam Shepard. With Michael Douglas, Richard Gere, Susan Lucci, Eric Bogosian, John Leguizamo, Woodie King, Jr.
After the Premiere Screening: A conversation with acting teacher, artistic director and film subject Wynn Handman, actors Robert De Niro and Michael Douglas, and director Billy Lyons.
Event Time: Friday, May 3 at 8 PM, BMCC
Luce directed by Julius Onah, written by JC Lee, Julius Onah. Produced by John Baker, Julius Onah, Andrew Yang. (USA) – New York Premiere. After writing an inflammatory essay, a high school overachiever finds himself on a collision course with his adoptive parents and an overbearing teacher. A complex drama boasting an amazing ensemble cast, Luce sears the screen. With Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tim Roth, Norbert Leo Butz, Andrea Bang and Marsha Stephanie Blake. A NEON and Topic release.
After the Premiere Screening: Join us in honoring the virtuosic ensemble cast of Luce with an empowering conversation led by Naomi Watts, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Andrea Bang, Marsha Stephanie Blake, and director Julius Onah, discussing their expansive careers and the indelible roles that led each cast member to Luce.
Event Time: Sunday, April 28 at 7:30 PM, BMCC
Meeting Gorbachev, directed and written by Werner Herzog, André Singer. Produced by Lucki Stipetic, Svetlana Palmer. (UK, USA) – New York Premiere, Feature Documentary. Profiling one of the most influential figures of 20th-century history, legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog candidly sits down with Mikhail Gorbachev for a revealing look at the life and legacy of the final leader of the Soviet Union. An Orchard release.
After the Premiere Screening: Director Werner Herzog will be in conversation with his frequent collaborator and Professor of Classical Studies at Boston University Herb Golder.
Event Time: Friday, April 26 at 6:00 PM, Village East Cinema
Waldo On Weed, directed and written by Tommy Avallone. Produced by Lee Leshen, Derrick Kunzer, Raymond Esposito, Josh Bender. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. When Brian and Danielle Dwyer’s son, Waldo, is diagnosed with cancer, they proceed with a controversial—and illegal—treatment plan consisting of one of the most divisive substances in our country: cannabis. With Waldo James Mysterious Dwyer, Brian Dwyer, Danielle Dwyer, Matt Rize, Mike Wert, Larry Anderson, Senator Daylin Leach, Senator Mike Folmer, Dr. Staci Gruber, Dr. Charles Pollack.
After the Premiere Screening: a conversation with medical marijuana expert Doctor Junella Chin, patient Lily Derwin, subject Danielle Dwyer, and Senator Daylin Leach. Moderated by actor, comedian and author Whoopi Goldberg.
Event Time: Friday, May 3 at 8:30 PM, SVA 2
The Wrong Man directed by Ross Golan, John Hwan. Produced by Jaren Shelton, Ross Golan and John Hwang. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. From multi-platinum songwriter Ross Golan, The Wrong Man is an animated concept film that uses Golan’s poetic lyrics and haunting melodies to tell a tragic story of love gone terribly wrong.
After the Screening: A conversation with director and acclaimed songwriter Ross Golan, CEO of Lava Records and board member of The Innocence Project Jason Flom and more
Event Time: Saturday, April 27 at 11:00 AM, Tribeca Festival Hub
Tribeca Talks: Prune Nourry and Serendipity
Artist Prune Nourry has spent her working life exploring issues around the human body. At the tender age of 31, Prune is diagnosed with breast cancer and she starts documenting her treatment and its effect on her own body, turning her medical odyssey into an epic artistic adventure — and feature documentary film Serendipity — discovering new meaning in her body of work and its curious relationship to her illness. Join us for a multisensory evening of film, food and conversation that explores the many themes of Prune’s work and opens up a dialogue about narrative medicine.
After the Screening: A conversation with Director and Artist Prune Nourry, Columbia University Professor and author Rita Charon, and more. Afterwards, join us for drinks and bites inspired by the work of Prune Nourry.
Event Time: Friday, May 3 at 8:00 PM, Tribeca Festival Hub
Passes and Tickets for the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival
The Hudson Pass, an all-access pass to screenings and talks taking place at BMCC, Regal Battery Park Stadium, Village East Cinema, and SVA theaters as well as full access to all events at the Festival Hub at Spring Studios, which includes VR and Immersive projects, Movies Plus screenings and access to festival lounges. The Hudson pass can be purchased online at tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets, or by telephone at (646) 502-5296 or toll-free at (866) 941-FEST (3378).
Single tickets cost $24.00 for evening and weekend screenings, $12.00 for weekday matinee screenings, $30.00 for Tribeca TV and Movies Plus, $40.00 for Tribeca Talks panels and $40.00 for Tribeca Immersive. Single ticket sales begin Tuesday, March 26 and can be purchased online through our film guide or through the call center.
Tickets for events at the Beacon Theatre are now available for purchase. You can find information here.
Packages and passes are now available for purchase on the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival App, on:
About the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, brings visionaries and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and online work. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment. The Festival champions emerging and established voices; discovers award-winning filmmakers and creators; curates innovative experiences; and introduces new technology and ideas through premieres, exhibitions, talks, and live performances.
The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Now in its 18th year, the Festival has evolved into a destination for creativity that reimagines the cinematic experience and explores how art can unite communities. The 18th annual edition will take place April 24 – May 5, 2019.www.tribecafilm.com/festival
About 2019 Tribeca Film Festival Partners:
As Presenting Sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, AT&T is committed to supporting the Festival and the art of filmmaking through access and innovation, while expanding opportunities to diverse creators around the globe. AT&T helps millions connect to their passions – no matter where they are. This year, AT&T and Tribeca will once again collaborate to give the world access to stories from underrepresented filmmakers that deserve to be seen. “AT&T Presents Untold Stories” is an inclusive film program in collaboration with Tribeca – a multi-year, multi-tier alliance between AT&T and Tribeca along with the year-round nonprofit Tribeca Film Institute.
The Tribeca Film Festival is pleased to announce its 2019 Partners: 23andMe, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Bai Beverages, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), BVLGARI, CHANEL, Diageo, ESPN, IMDb, Kia, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from Chase, Merck, Montefiore, National CineMedia (NCM), Nespresso, New York Magazine, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Prime Video Direct, P&G, PwC, Spring Studios New York, Squarespace, and Status Sparkling Wine.
Julianna Margulies in “The Hot Zone” (Photo by Amanda Matlovich/National Geographic)
The following is a press release from the Tribeca Film Festival:
The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, will debut highly-anticipated new and returning TV series and spotlight creative online storytelling work. The Tribeca TV lineup will include 16 shows made up of eight series premieres, two season premieres, one feature documentary, and five indie pilots.The N.O.W. (New Online Work) section, sponsored by HBO, will showcase 12 projects from creators using digital platforms to tell original stories in addition to special spotlight programs. The N.O.W. Creators Market will return to connect online creators with industry professionals. Building on the Festival’s successful film reunions, for the first time this year, Tribeca TV will celebrate anniversaries of acclaimed series In Living Color and The Simpsons, the longest-running American sitcom, marking its milestone 30th anniversary. The hit series Mr. Robot will return to Tribeca after its first episode screened at the Festival in 2015 to celebrate the final season with a special Tribeca Talk conversation with stars Rami Malek, fresh off his Oscar win, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin, and creator Sam Esmail. The 18th Tribeca Film Festival takes place April 24 – May 5.
Tribeca TV will showcase several world premieres including The Boys(Amazon Prime Video), a darkly funny and subversive take on superheroes executive produced by Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg; Tuca & Bertie (Netflix), an animated comedy series with the lead characters voiced by Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong; On Tour with Asperger’s Are Us (HBO), a docu-series from the Duplass Brothers that follows a comedy troupe, all of whom are on the autism spectrum, on their first cross-country tour; The Hot Zone (Nat Geo), starring Julianna Margulies, is inspired by the true story of the origins of the Ebola virus and its arrival on U.S soil; and Chernobyl (HBO) the story of the 1986 nuclear accident, which will premiere on the anniversary of the actual disaster, starring Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson. Shows premiering upcoming seasons include Vida (Starz), the critically acclaimed story of two Mexican-American sisters from the Eastside of Los Angeles whose circumstances force them to confront their past and their differences, will debut the first episode from its sophomore season; and Younger (Paramount Network), the hit series that follows Liza, a talented and aspiring editor navigating the highly competitive world of publishing—while juggling the complications of the lie she created about her age to land her dream job, will premiere the first episode of its sixth season. I Want My MTV (A&E Network), a documentary special about the rise of the network that came to define a generation, will also premiere as part of the TV program.
Making their New York Premieres at this year’s Festival are Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men (Showtime), a four-part docu-series about one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time which will premiere at the Beacon Theatre, and State of the Union (SundanceTV/SundanceNOW), an original comedy about the challenges of a contemporary relationship. Each 10-minute episode, directed by Stephen Frears, written by Nick Hornby and starring Chris O’Dowd and Rosamund Pike, is set in a pub before a couple’s weekly marital therapy session. Finally, Tribeca TV will spotlight upcoming independent voices in episodic storytelling with its Pilot Season section.
“When some of the most cinematic storytelling continues to happen on screens of all sizes and shapes, we were particularly inspired this year by the scope, innovation, and accomplishment of the so-called ‘small’ screen,” said Cara Cusumano, Festival Director of the Tribeca Film Festival. “It’s a privilege to showcase these diverse works with a robust program that speaks to the limitless potential of the episodic form.”
Tribeca TV will bring two of the most influential series in television history to the big screen. Twenty-five years after its finale, In Living Color, the sketch comedy series recognized for launching the careers of Keenen Ivory Wayans and other members of the Wayans Family, as well as Jim Carrey, Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Foxx, and David Alan Grier, will be celebrated at Tribeca with a screening of its first episode followed by a conversation with creator and co-star Keenen Ivory Wayans and Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, Tommy Davidson, David Alan Grier and Rosie Perez. The Simpsons needs little introduction: the satirical animated show that has become part of our cultural fabric will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. A screening of two episodes of the series will be followed by a panel with James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Matt Selman, Al Jean and Harry Shearer and moderated by Lisa Simpson herself Yeardley Smith.
The two-part N.O.W. Showcase will feature the latest works from 12 unique online creators. The first N.O.W. Showcase, “Headspace,” will include a range of projects from a narrative short about sexual awakening and self-discovery, set in a Chinese restaurant, in Kiss of the Rabbit Godto Release, a science-fiction series built around the fallout of a rapidly spreading and unknown airborne disease. “Reality Check,” the second N.O.W. Showcase, includes a documentary series about the impact of photojournalists in Frame by Frame, Better Days, a coming-of-age comedy series about a young Muslim-American twenty-something, and 99, a comedic narrative about a mother and her adult son shopping for a Bar Mitzvah gift at a 99 Cent store. N.O.W. will also host two Special Screenings featuring Topic Studios documentary work, as well as The New York Times Op-Docs, with a collection of five short films all with a timely thread of immigration-related issues.
“Each year, our small but mighty section of New Online Work showcases an increasingly diverse group of perspectives, genres and formats,” said Liza Domnitz, Senior Programmer, Tribeca Film Festival. “In 2019, we selected a group of filmmakers whose work delves into the reality of the everyday minutiae of life—career confusion, single motherhood, burgeoning sexuality—as well as the dissociative ways our brains utilize to get through it all. Through 12 works that mix comedy, sci-fi, documentary and movement, the 2019 N.O.W. program promises an eclectically evocative mix of voices.”
This year’s TV and N.O.W. programs will include more world premieres, more networks – both established and emerging, more formats, and more diverse storytelling than ever before. Tribeca will continue to support creators in diverse mediums, reflected by the expansion of its programming into these now well-established sections of the Festival each year.
TRIBECA TV LINEUP
REUNIONS:
The cast of “In Living Color” (Photo courtesy of Fox)
In Living Color – Celebrating 25 Years since the Finale
Twenty-five years after its finale, the cast and creator of the groundbreaking sketch comedy show In Living Color will reunite to reflect on theEmmy Award-winning show that upended the landscape of television comedy and launched the careers of some of the greatest entertainers of our time. Following a screening of the pilot episode of In Living Color, the series creator and stars will come together to celebrate the show’s immeasurable influence and illuminate how the show continues to be equal parts subversive and hilarious.
After the Screening: A conversation with creator and star Keenan Ivory Wayans, and co-stars Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, Tommy Davidson,Rosie Perez, and David Alan Grier.
Event time: April 27 at 5:00 PM, Tribeca Festival Hub
“The Simpsons” (Image courtesy of Fox)
The Simpsons – 30th Anniversary
In the 30 years since The Simpsons first debuted, the satirical cartoon has become the very center of popular culture; a juggernaut that is ingrained in the cultural fabric of America. In the three decades it has been on the air, the show has influenced popular culture, media and politics by brilliantly and incisively depicting the ridiculous pageant of American society. Following a screening of the episodes Marge vs the Monorail and The Day the Earth Stood Cool, the creative team of The Simpsons will come together to celebrate the immeasurable legacy of the longest-running animated series in television history.
After the Screening: A conversation with executive producers James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean and Matt Selman, and the voice of many Harry Shearer. Moderated by the voice of Lisa Simpson, Yeardley Smith.
Event time: April 28 at 5:00 PM, BMCC
TRIBECA TV
With media support from Vulture, the entertainment and culture site from New York Magazine
Jack Quaid and Karl Urban in “The Boys” (Photo by Jan Thijs)
The Boys (Amazon Prime Video) – New Series World Premiere Executive Producers: Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Ori Marmur, Ken F. Levin, Jason Netter. The Boys is a fun and irreverent take on what happens when superheroes abuse their superpowers rather than use them for good. Based on a comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson.
After the screening: A conversation with series stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty,Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Karen Fukuhara, Elisabeth Shue and executive producer/showrunner Eric Kripke.
Screen time: April 29 at 8:45 PM, SVA Theatre
Chernobyl (HBO/Sky) – New Series World Premiere Executive Producers: Carolyn Strauss, Jane Featherstone, Craig Mazin. Chernobyl dramatizes the story of the 1986 nuclear accident, one of the worst man-made catastrophes in history, and of the brave men and women who sacrificed to save Europe from disaster, all the while battling a culture of disinformation.
After the Screening:A conversation with cast members Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson,writer Craig Mazin, and director Johan Renck.
Screen time: April 26 at 8:00 PM, Tribeca Festival Hub
The Hot Zone (National Geographic) – New Series World Premiere Executive Producers: Lynda Obst, David Zucker, Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, Jenn Vintar The Hot Zone is based on Richard Preston’s bestseller, and is inspired by a true story about the origins of the Ebola virus and its arrival on U.S. soil.
After the Screening:A conversation with showrunners and executive producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson,bestselling author Richard Preston,and cast member Julianna Margulies.Hosted by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Screen time: April 30 at 5:30 PM, SVA
I Want My MTV (A&E Network) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary Produced by: David Kennedy, Nick Quested, Tyler Measom, Patrick Waldrop.
Directed and written by Tyler Measom, Patrick Waldrop.
In 1981, a new music-centric network launched that would come to define a generation. Featuring the musicians, VJ’s and executives who were there from the beginning, Tyler Measom and Patrick Waldrop’s energetic documentary revisits the early days of the cultural juggernaut.
After the Screening:A conversation with film directors Tyler Measom and Patrick Waldrop, MTV co-founder John Sykes, former MTV CEO Judy McGrath, Darryl McDaniels ofRun DMC, and original MTV VJ Mark Goodman.
Screen time:May 1 at 9:00 PM, SVA
On Tour With Asperger’s Are Us (HBO) – New Series World Premiere Executive Producers:Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, Mel Eslyn, Carolyn Craddock, Alex Lehmann, Sean Bradley.
This six-part documentary series follows the first all-autistic comedy troupe as it navigates its first cross-country tour.
After the Screening: Acomedy performance by the featured comedy troupe Asperger’s Are Us.
Screen time: April 29 at 8:00 PM, SVA
State of the Union (SundanceTV/SundanceNOW) – New Series New York Premiere Executive Producers: Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman
An original comedy series about contemporary relationships. Each 10-minute episode is set in a pub immediately before Louise (Rosamund Pike) and Tom (Chris O’Dowd) have their weekly marital therapy session.
After the Screening: A conversation with director and executive producer Stephen Frears, screenwriter and executive producer Nick Hornby and cast member Rosamund Pike.
Screen time: May 4 at 6:30 PM, SVA
Tuca & Bertie (Netflix) – New Series World Premiere Creator:Lisa Hanawalt Executive Producers: Lisa Hanawalt, Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Noel Bright, Steven A. Cohen, Tiffany Haddish, Ali Wong. Tuca & Bertie is an animated comedy series about the friendship between two 30-year-old bird women who live in the same apartment building. It features Tuca, a cocky, carefree toucan, and Bertie, an anxious, daydreaming songbird.
After the Screening:A conversation with stars Ali Wong and Tiffany Haddish,and creator Lisa Hanawalt.
Screen time: May 1 at 8:30 PM, Tribeca Festival Hub
Vida (Starz) – Season 2 World Premiere Executive Producers: Tanya Saracho, Robin Schwartz, Marc Turtletaub, Peter Saraf, Stephanie Langhoff.
In the second season of Vida, Lyn and Emma begin the monumental task of rebuilding the bar. They navigate obstacles while contemplating the relationships in their lives, including their own, and are forced to dig deep to unearth what their mother’s legacy means to them.
After the Screening:A conversation with executive producer Tanya Saracho,and cast members Melissa Barrera, Mishel Prada, Ser Anzoategui, Chelsea Rendon, Carlos Miranda, Roberta Colindrez and Raúl Castillo.
Screen time: May 2 at 5:30 PM, SVA
Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics And Men (Showtime) – New Series New York Premiere Director:Sacha Jenkins Executive Producers: Sacha Jenkins, Peter Bittenbender, Chris Gary, Peter J. Scalettar.
The series looks back on the group’s career, combining intimate interviews from each of its nine living members with never-before-seen archival footage and performances. Join us at the Beacon Theatre for the premiere with all of the living members in attendance: RZA, GZA, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon da Chef, Cappadonna and Masta Killa.
Screen time: April 25 at 8:00 PM, Beacon Theatre
Younger (Paramount Network) – Season 6 World Premiere Executive Producer: Darren Star Younger follows Liza, a talented and aspiring editor navigating the highly competitive world of publishing—while juggling the complications of the lie she created about her age to land her dream job. Starring Sutton Foster, Hilary Duff, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor, Nico Tortorella, Peter Hermann, Molly Bernard and Charles Michael Davis.
After the Screening:A conversation with executive producer Darren Star, and cast members Sutton Foster, Hilary Duff, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor, Nico Tortorella, Peter Hermann, Molly Bernard, and Charles Michael Davis.
Screen time: April 25 at 6:00 PM, Tribeca Festival Hub
Tribeca Talks: A Farewell to Mr. Robot (USA)
Four years ago, the pilot episode of Mr. Robot had its New York premiere at Tribeca. Now the Golden Globe- and Emmy Award®-winning series returns for a special celebration of the show and a look ahead to its fourth and final season. Join Academy Award® winner Rami Malek, Golden Globe® Award winner Christian Slater, co-star Carly Chaikin and series-creator Sam Esmail, as they look back on three incredible seasons of this groundbreaking series – and share new and exclusive information about what to expect when the show returns.
Tribeca Talk:A conversation with stars Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin and creator Sam Esmail.
Event time: April 28 at 3:00 PM, Tribeca Festival Hub
PILOT SEASON
Following successful programs at both the film festival and the September TV festival, Tribeca is continuing its tradition of opening submissions to independently produced TV pilots. Gunpowder & Sky acquired Shrimp following its Tribeca premiere and it was recently announced that On the Spectrum (2018), would be adapted by Jason Katims for Amazon.
“Awokened”
Screening Showcase: April 29 at 8:00 PM, Village East Cinema
Awokened (USA) – World Premiere Executive Producers: Daryl Wein, David Walton, Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello Awokened is an independent half hour cable/streaming show about a guy who has a spiritual awakening that changes his life forever. With David Walton, Majandra Delfino, Hannah Simone, Jeremy Sisto, Zoe Lister-Jones, Paul W. Downs, Lamorne Morris.
DC Noir (USA) – World Premiere Executive Producers: George Pelecanos, Ginny Grenham DC Noir is a crime series composed of stories that follow an array of different characters living and dying on the fringes of society in the nation’s capital. With Jay O. Sanders, Marcus Craig-Bradford, Thaddeus Street, Wale Florin, Kia Goodwin, Anwan Glover, Backyard Band.
Halfway (USA) – World Premiere Executive Producer: Kimberley Browning
Krystal just got released from prison, and now must navigate the new rules, and an intimidating crew of fellow ex-con women residents of a Christian halfway house. With Anastasia Leddick, Noemi Gonzalez, Joy Nash, Shondrella Avery, Dot-Marie Jones, Garrick Bernard.
Lady Liberty (USA) – World Premiere Executive Producers: Julia Lindon, Taylor Lee Nagel, Melinda Andrade
An aspiring comedian (Shea Miller) learns to embrace her queerness to find her comedic voice, and more importantly, her community. With Julia Lindon, Jason Sudeikis, Rebecca Henderson, Karen Eilbacher, Yoni Lotan, Chip Hamilton.
Unimundo 45 (USA) – World Premiere Executive Producer: Kimberley Browning
After Trump wins the White House, a jaded Latina news producer reconnects with her suppressed activist side and becomes an unlikely TV news star. With Elizabeth De Razzo, Maria Camargo, Luis Fernandez-Gil, Garrick Bernard, Jandres Burgos, Blanca Araceli.
N.O.W.
Sponsored by HBO
Tribeca New Online Work(N.O.W.) highlights independent creators who use the web sphere as an exhibition space to tell their stories. Previous inclusions in the slate have gone on to achieve recognition in the form of awards and network pick-up, including High Maintenance from creators Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair and Gotham award nominees Cleaner Daze from creator Tess Sweet and The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo from creator Brian Jordan Alvarez. This year’s slate includes episodic, short form and documentary work from up-and-coming and seasoned filmmakers.
N.O.W. SHOWCASE: HEADSPACE
Sci-fi, documentary, drama, and comedy collide in this collection of works that push aesthetic boundaries and challenge storytelling tropes.
Karen Gillan in “nuerotica.” (Photo by Ben Rutkowski)
Premiere Screening: Thursday, April 25, 6:30 PM, Regal Battery Park Theater
neurotica., created by Laura Moss & Nick Kocher (USA) – World Premiere.
A comedic sci-fi anthology series exploring personal anxieties. In episode 1, eureka!, a chronic procrastinator (Karen Gillan) meets an otherworldly being responsible for giving humanity its great ideas. Also starring Jillian Bell.
Laura Moss is a filmmaker from New York City. Her recent short film, Allen Anders – Live at the Comedy Castle (circa 1987) premiered at SXSW 2018. Her previous short, Fry Day, screened at SXSW and Tribeca in 2017. Laura was named one of Filmmaker Magazine‘s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Her debut feature, After Birth, will be produced by Fangoria Films in 2019.
Nick Kocher is a stand-up comic and writer who has written for Saturday Night Live, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and the occasional Marvel comic book. He is also one half of the sketch comedy group BriTANicK.
The Future is Then, created by Sarah Salovaara (USA) – Episodes 1 & 2 (World Premiere).
Set in 1996, The Future Is Then follows a widowed Trinidadian woman who is recruited to be the brains behind the scenes of an Expedia-esque start up, run by three twenty-something white dudes.
Sarah Salovaara is a filmmaker from New York City. Her work is primarily concerned with the retooling of gender roles and genre tropes. Her previous series, Let Me Die a Nun, starring Ana Fabrega and Hari Nef, was nominated for a Gotham Independent Film Award in 2017.
Release, created by Joe Penna & Ryan Morrison – Episodes 1 & 2 (World Premiere).
When a deadly and mysterious airborne disease spreads from remote areas of the world to the United States, the country is thrust into chaos and panic as it strikes the quiet outskirts of a large American city.
Joe Penna is a Brazilian writer and director. For the past 12 years, he has maintained a YouTube channel dedicated to inventive music videos and short films, and was selected as one of the top 10 new directors at the 20th Cannes Lions Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors’ Showcase. Penna’s debut feature, Arctic, was shot entirely on location in Iceland and stars Mads Mikkelsen, and was part of the Official Selection for the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. He is currently in pre-production on Stowaway, starring Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette.
Ryan Morrison is a writer, producer and editor from the Boston area. For the last 7 years, Morrison has been a creating content with his producing partner Joe Penna on their YouTube channel, “MysteryGuitarMan,” and over the last few years Morrison has written, produced and edited several short films that have been featured on their channel. Arctic, which Morrison co-wrote, edited, and executive produced with director Joe Penna, was his first feature film.
Sweater, created by Nick Borenstein (USA) – World Premiere.
Corey’s day couldn’t be worse. Then he gets a free coffee.
Nick Borenstein is a New York-based writer, director, dancer and actor. He wrote, directed and starred in the comedic digital series Trip, a selection of IFP’s Screen Forward Lab, and The Buddy System, a short film that was developed into a digital series for EliteDaily.com. His most recent series was a finalist for Sundance Institute’s YouTube New Voices Lab, and he staged a live dance performance entitled “5INCO” during his 2019 Artist Residency at Casa Lü in Mexico City. Nick has also worked in the programming, casting and marketing departments at ABC, NBC, HBO, Comedy Central, Pivot TV, Hud:sun Media and Topic Studios.
Kiss of the Rabbit God, created by Andrew Thomas Huang (USA) – World Premiere.
A young Chinese restaurant worker falls in love with a god who leads him on a journey of sexual awakening and self-discovery.
Andrew Thomas Huang studied Fine Art at the University of Southern California, graduating in 2007. His film and video work has been exhibited at The Museum of Modern Art, NYC; MoMA PS1; The Barbican Centre, London; and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. As an experimental filmmaker with a background in puppetry, animation, live action performance and visual effects, Huang’s work bridges the gap between video art and film, expanding beyond into installation and alternative modes of storytelling.
Walk Run Cha-Cha, created by Laura Nix (USA) – World Premiere.
Paul and Millie Cao reunited in Los Angeles after being separated by the Vietnam War. Forty years later, they become ballroom dancers to reconnect and make up for lost time in this moving documentary short.
Laura Nix is an award-winning documentary filmmaker based in Los Angeles. She previously directed the feature documentary films Inventing Tomorrow (Sundance 2018), The Yes Men Are Revolting (TIFF, Berlinale 2014), and The Light In Her Eyes (IDFA 2011). She is currently developing a feature-length film based on the San Gabriel ballroom dance community.
N.O.W. SHOWCASE: REALITY CHECK
A cornucopia of personalities are at the center of these evergreen stories of parenthood, aging, and sexuality. Plus, President Obama.
Campbell Scott and Matt Dellapina in “Adult Ed” (Photo by Alexander Herron)
Premiere Screening: Thursday, April 25, 9:15 PM, Regal Battery Park Theater
Adult Ed, created by Matt Dellapina (USA) – Episode 2, Episode 4 (World Premiere).
A disgraced former teacher starts tutoring fellow failures around New York City while coming to grips with the toughest lesson of his life: fatherhood. With Campbell Scott.
Matt Dellapina, born and raised in the Bronx, cut his teeth on the New York stage for years, becoming a mainstay of the Off-Broadway scene. This work soon bloomed into a dynamic onscreen career, with recent credits including Dirty 30, Fits and Starts from Laura Terruso (Hello, My Name Is Doris), and Ruin Me, now streaming on ABC Shudder. Also a playwright and screenwriter (including the plays Interstate, Deacon of the Bronx, and the upcoming digital series Meetings), Dellapina serves as Co-Artistic Director of Slant Theatre Project, where he help found the New York City storytelling series On This Island.
Anne+, created by Maud Wiemeijer & Valerie Bisscheroux (NED) – Episode 1 (North American Premiere), Episode 2 (International Premiere).
The weekend 24-year-old Anne moves into her Amsterdam apartment, she unexpectedly runs into ex-girlfriend Lily. Her reappearance pushes Anne to reflect on the diverse women from her past and their influence on her life.
Maud Wiemeijer is a screenwriter. She studied Theatre Studies at the University of Amsterdam and graduated in 2016, and worked as trainee copywriter at Vandejong Creative Agency. In 2015, she created the concept for the (web) series Anne+,which she developed and co-wrote with director Valerie Bisscheroux. The series premiered at the Nederlands Film Festival and aired on national Dutch television. In her work, representation of (sexual) diversity is always at the forefront.
Valerie Bisscheroux is a film director. Her main focus and incentive as a filmmaker is the positive and nuanced representation of LGBTQ+ characters and storylines in films and series, content that was lacking when she was younger and of which there is still a shortage today. She graduated from The Netherlands Film Academy in 2017 as a creative producer, and with Anne+, Valerie made her debut as a director.
Frame by Frame, created by Yvonne Michelle Shirley (USA) – Episodes 1 & 2 (World Premiere).
Celebrated photojournalists explore images of the people and events that helped shape the American experience in this documentary series, and discuss how working with photographs impacts them personally. Featuring Pete Souza and Alysia Burton Steele.
Yvonne Michelle Shirley is a director and producer of narrative and documentary films inspired by the social realist tradition. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts’ Graduate Film Program, her work includes Flowers, which won Best Short Film in the HBO Short Film Competition at the 2016 American Black Film Festival, and Miasia: The Nature of Experience. Currently, Yvonne is producing a feature length documentary on the artist, Gil Scott-Heron, directed by Orlando Bagwell (Eyes on the Prize, Malcolm X: Make It Plain).
Better Days, created by Nabeel Muscatwalla & Adam Turkel (USA) – Episodes 1 & 5 (World Premiere), Episode 2 (New York Premiere).
A Muslim-American twenty-something faces a series of awkward encounters as he tries to get on with his day.
Nabeel Muscatwalla is an LA-based comedian. He can be seen writing and performing sketch comedy on Maude Nights at UCB LA. He can be heard discussing pop culture on the Toast The Town podcast. He performs regularly in the Sunday Team at ComedySportz and in the ensemble of Story Pirates. Nabeel graduated from Northwestern University in 2018, where he was a member of Mee-Ow (’18 director), The Titanic Players, and NSTV.
Adam Turkel is a writer/director/editor born, raised, and based in NYC. His 2018 short Freehand was an official selection of the Boston Film Festival and HollyWeb Festival, among others. His 2016 short 39 Acrosswon Best Student Film at the Big Apple Film Festival, and was the recipient of Northwestern University’s Joann Torretta Award. He currently works in the theatre department at WME.
99, created by Nick Borenstein (USA) – World Premiere.
A mother and son shop for a Bar Mitzvah gift at a 99 Cent store.
Nick Borenstein is a New York-based writer, director, dancer and actor. He wrote, directed and starred in the comedic digital series Trip, a selection of IFP’s Screen Forward Lab, and The Buddy System, a short film that was developed into a digital series for EliteDaily.com. His most recent series was a finalist for Sundance Institute’s YouTube New Voices Lab, and he staged a live dance performance entitled “5INCO” during his 2019 Artist Residency at Casa Lü in Mexico City. Nick has also worked in the programming, casting and marketing departments at ABC, NBC, HBO, Comedy Central, Pivot TV, Hud:sun Media and Topic Studios.
MotherStruck, created by Staceyann Chin & Micaela Birmingham (USA) – Episodes 1 & 2 (World Premiere).
The true story of a lesbian’s quest to become a mother. With her closest friends by her side, she embarks on a wild road toward motherhood.
Staceyann Chin is a 2017 LGBTQ Humanist Award recipient. Widely known as a co-writer and original performer in the Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, her poetry has seen the rousing cheers of the Nuyorican Poets’ Café, one-woman-shows Off-Broadway, writing workshops in Sweden, South Africa, and Australia. Chin’s three one-woman shows, Hands Afire, Unspeakable Things, and Border/Clash all opened to rave reviews at the Culture Project in New York City. Her critically acclaimed solo theater piece MotherStruck, directed by Cynthia Nixon and produced by Rosie O’Donnell, opened in New York in December of 2015.
Micaela Birmingham is an Emmy Award-winning writer and director with projects spanning public service, comedy, and branded content. As Head of Studio for Scary Mommy, Micaela oversees the development and production of original series. She is the creator of Lullaby League, a competition show hosted by Jim O’Heir in which a cappella singers compete to sing a real baby to sleep. Birmingham is also the creator and executive producer of the popular web series Momsplained and Madge the Vag. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and on CNN and the TEDx stage.
TRIBECA N.O.W. SPECIAL SCREENINGS
The New York Times’ Op-Docs – Featuring Stories Of Immigration
For the third year in a row, TheNew York Times‘ Op-Docs brings five inventively crafted documentary shorts to Tribeca N.O.W. This year’s group of films, produced with Concordia Studio, find a common thread in stories of immigration and belonging, captured with poignant and unflinching eloquence by a diverse range of artists.
After the screening, please join us for a conversation with the filmmakers, moderated by The New York Times’ national immigration reporter, Caitlin Dickerson.
“Walk Run Cha-Cha”
Screening: Saturday, May 4, 2:30 PM, SVA
Walk Run Cha-Cha., directed by Laura Nix (USA) – World Premiere
Paul and Millie Cao lost their youth to the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Forty years later, they have become successful professionals in Southern California — and are rediscovering themselves on the dancefloor.
Darlin, directed by Isabel Castro (USA) – World Premiere Darlin follows a Honduran family in the months after their separation under the zero tolerance policy.
El Vacio, directed by Deborah Esquenazi (USA) – World Premiere
In a mesmerizing confessional built from home video and animation, Karla Cornejo Villavicencio explores the mental prisons and personal trauma created by immigration policy.
La Reina de Watermelon Thump, directed by Jeff Reichert & Farihah Zaman (USA) – World Premiere
In Luling, the “toughest town in Texas”, two Latina high school girls compete to be the next Watermelon Thump Queen.
Boca del Lobo, directed by Jesse Moss (USA) – World Premiere
Mario Guevara, a reporter for Mundo Hispanico, investigates the impact of ICE arrests on his Atlanta community.
Topic Studios – Digital Docs
Tribeca N.O.W. is excited to spotlight Topic Studios’ commitment to supporting and cultivating creators of online work. These formally dynamic documentary projects—offering meditations on familial connection, historical memory, and photographic representation—epitomize the experimentation that Topic pursues in the digital space.
After the screening, please join us for a moderated conversation with the filmmakers.
“Black 14”
Screening: Monday, April 29, 6:30 PM, VEC
Black 14, directed by Darius Clark Monroe (USA)
Directed by Darius Clark Monroe and executive produced by Spike Lee, this documentary short tells the story of what happened when a group of college athletes decided to protest racial injustice.
Frame by Frame, directed by Yvonne Shirley (USA) – World Premiere
Celebrated photojournalists explore images of the people and events that helped shape the American experience, and discuss how working with photographs impacts them personally. Featuring Pete Souza and Alysia Burton Steele.
Passing: A Family in Black & White, directed by Robin Cloud (USA) – World Premiere
Filmmaker Robin Cloud reaches out to her long lost Nebraska cousins – who unbeknownst to them were passing for white – in an attempt to bring them back into her family.
Obits, directed by Alix Lambert & Manual Cinema (USA) – World Premiere Obits explores the unexpected connections between the lives of three strangers who all died on the same day, revealing how much more we have in common than we might think.
TRIBECA N.O.W. CREATORS MARKET
A first of its kind daylong, private industry market that brings together leading online and immersive storytellers (2019 N.O.W. Showcase creators + an additional curated group of online and VR writers/performers/influencers) to pitch new projects to a wide-range of industry, including distributors, agencies and brands.
The following online and VR/immersive filmmakers will participate in the Creators Market:
Robin Cloud
Robin Cloud is a Los Angeles-based comedian, writer, and director Arts. Her first narrative short, Out Again (2017), was executive produced by Refinery29 as part of their Shatterbox Anthology and has screened at over 35 film festivals. Her production company, Cloud Creative Media, was launched in March of 2016 and focuses on creating independent narrative and documentary films and series.
Jade Daugherty and Fred Soligan
A Chicago native, Jade Daugherty is a comedy writer/performer currently living in Brooklyn, NY. She loves hot dogs and dichotomies. Fred Soligan has directed work for UCB, BricTV, The New Yorker and IFC Comedy Cribs. In 2018, projects he directed won awards at festivals including NYTVF and UrbanWorld.
Alex Goyette
Alex Goyette is a writer/director with projects that have been featured on Netflix, MTV and Amazon. In 2014, Alex wrote and directed EXPELLED, which topped all digital download charts on its first day of release.
Nora Hawari
Nora Hawari is a first generation Arab-American filmmaker who seeks to change the world through her love of cinema. Nora acts, writes and directs all her own original work.
Betsy Kenney and Dara Katz
Betsy Kenney and Dara Katz are writing partners and performers based in New York City. Dubbed the new “Genre Queens” by Splitsider, they are the creators of the ’90s action-packed thriller Bounty Hunters, the Aaron Spelling-inspired IFC Comedy Crib series The Place We Live, and most recently, the chilling “true” crime anthology unSOLVABLE. They perform regularly at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater and their work has been featured in The Huffington Post, Decider, Time Out, and Vice.
Noah Levenson
Noah Levenson’s viral interactive projects have received millions of views and enthusiastic praise from Fast Company, SFist, Bustle, and many more. He’s created sketches about the internet with Key & Peele and written about meme culture for the NY Daily News. Previously, he served as Editorial Director of MTV2.
Mijie Li and J. Faye Yuan
Originally from Hunan, China, Mijie Li served as co-producer on the Sundance-winning documentary, American Factory. Her first feature, Confucian Dream, will have its World Premiere at Hot Docs in 2019.
Born in Shanghai, J. Faye Yuan is a New York based bilingual writer, producer, and editor. Her mobile documentary launched at POV Hackathon 9 and was a finalist at Sundance New Frontier.
Alix Lambert
Alix Lambert has directed and produced three feature length documentaries: The Mark of Cain, Bayou Blue, and Mentor, as well as numerous shorts. She was a writer on the HBO show Deadwood and a writer / producer on John from Cincinnati. She has conceived, written and directed two short series for MOCA tv: Crime: The Animated Series, and Ambiance. She is the author of Crime and The Silencing.
Manual Cinema
Manual Cinema is a performance collective, design studio, and film/ video production company founded in 2010 by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace, Ben Kauffman, Julia Miller, and Kyle Vegter. Manual Cinema combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and innovative sound and music to create immersive stories for stage and screen.
Lilian Mehrel, Mary Evangelista Lilian Mehrel is an award-winning writer & director who distills the humor and poetics of life into stories. She earned her NYU Tisch Grad Film MFA with a PDSoros Fellowship, and wrote/illustrated a family memoir as a Dartmouth Senior Fellow. Her awards include HFPA, Tribeca Film Institute, Google, and Alfred P. Sloan. Mary Evangelista is an award-winning filmmaker born in the Philippines with an MFA from NYU Tisch, Mary pursues transformative stories full of bullish heart/levity. Her screenings include Tribeca 2019 (co-creator, Water Melts), Sundance 2019 (creator, Fran This Summer), and Slamdance 2018 (producer, Fish Bones). She is a Film Independent’s Project Involve Directing Fellow.
Krista Nylen
Krista Nylen is a creator and product designer. She studied creative writing at Williams College and attended Harvard Business School, focusing on emerging technology. She currently works at Spotify, specializing in new content experiences.
Vishaal Reddy
Vishaal Reddy is an actor, singer, and creator based in New York. Vishaal hopes to develop more TV & film content geared towards making South Asian stories more multi-dimensional and accessible to the masses. As a member of the queer community, he hopes to challenge stereotypes that often plague queer people of color’s narratives in media.
Emily Diana Ruth
Emily is a Canadian/British filmmaker currently in Toronto. Emily created and directed the series COLD starring Emily Basso (CAPTAIN FANTASTIC) for Verizon’s Go90. She graduated from York University in Canada with a BFA in Film Production & Screenwriting.
Tamara Shogalu
Tamara Shogaolu is an international director with a track record in featuring her work at film festivals, galleries, and museums worldwide. She is a 2018 Sundance Institute New Frontier lab Programs Fellow.
Christian Teelucksingh
Christian Teelucksingh is the founder of Breakthrough Ideas LLC, a turnkey production company, directing and producing projects from commercials to documentaries. At BTI we create, innovate, and turn ideas into action.
Celine Tricart
Celine Tricart is a director, cinematographer and founder of Lucid Dreams Productions whose work has gathered numerous awards. She is considered a pioneer in both 3D and virtual reality. Celine produced and directed Maria Bello’s “Sun Ladies” VR experience about the women fighting ISIS in Iraq, which premiered at Sundance 2018.
Alice Trueman
Alice Trueman is an award-winning, upcoming writer/director from the UK. She is currently developing new work with the British Film Institute and created the new comedy sketch webseries SPOON THE PRUNE.
Rain Valdez
Rain Valdez is an out and proud transgender actress and award-winning filmmaker. She played Coco in season 2 of TV Land’s Lopez and doubles in Amazon’s Transparent as Miss Van Nuys on screen and a Producer behind the scenes. She recently starred in a half hour comedy pilot directed by Paul Feig for Freeform TV, and also just completed showrunning and starring in Razor Tongue, a web series she wrote.
Also participating in the Tribeca N.O.W. Creators Market are N.O.W Showcase creators Nick Borenstein, Micaela Birmingham, Matt Dellapina, Andrew Thomas Huang, Laura Moss and Nick Kocher, Nabeel Muscatwalla and Adam Turkel, Laura Nix, Sarah Salovaara, Yvonne Michelle Shirley, and Maud Wiemeijer and Valerie Bischeroux.
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Tickets for events at The Beacon Theatre are available for purchase online starting on Tuesday, March 19. You can find information here.
About the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, brings visionaries and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and online work. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment. The Festival champions emerging and established voices; discovers award-winning filmmakers and creators; curates innovative experiences; and introduces new technology and ideas through premieres, exhibitions, talks, and live performances.
The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Now in its 18th year, the Festival has evolved into a destination for creativity that reimagines the cinematic experience and explores how art can unite communities. The 18th annual edition will take place April 24 – May 5, 2019. www.tribecafilm.com/festival
About 2019 Tribeca Film Festival Partners:
As Presenting Sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, AT&T is committed to supporting the Festival and the art of filmmaking through access and innovation, while expanding opportunities to diverse creators around the globe. AT&T helps millions connect to their passions – no matter where they are. This year, AT&T and Tribeca will once again collaborate to give the world access to stories from underrepresented filmmakers that deserve to be seen. “AT&T Presents Untold Stories” is an inclusive film program in collaboration with Tribeca – a multi-year, multi-tier alliance between AT&T and Tribeca along with the year-round nonprofit Tribeca Film Institute.
The Tribeca Film Festival is pleased to announce its 2019 Partners: 23andMe, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Bai Beverages, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), BVLGARI, CHANEL, Diageo, ESPN, IMDb, Kia, Merck, Montefiore, National CineMedia (NCM), Nespresso, New York Magazine, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Prime Video Direct, P&G, PwC, Spring Studios New York, Squarespace, and Status Sparkling Wine.
Himesh Patel and Ed Sheeran in “Yesterday” (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)
The following is a press release from the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, announced today that Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle’s Yesterday, from Universal Pictures and Working Title, will world premiere as the closing night selection of the Festival’s 18th edition. Tribeca also announced this year’s Gala Anniversaries, including a never-before-seen restored version of Francis Ford Coppola’s cinematic masterpiece, Apocalypse Now, and the 30th anniversary and cast reunion of the iconic ‘80s coming-of-age film Say Anything… There will be additional Galas with the world premiere of Between Me and My Mind about Phish lead singer Trey Anastasio, followed by a special musical performance by the Trey Anastasio Band at the Beacon Theatre, as well as Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival opener The Good, The Bad, The Hungry. Tickets for events at the Beacon Theatre go on sale March 19 at 11:00AM ET; Single tickets for all other Festival events go on sale March 26 at 11:00AM ET. The Tribeca Film Festival takes place from April 24 – May 5, 2019.
The previously announced 25th anniversary of Reality Bites will now bring together director Ben Stiller, writer Helen Childress, with cast including Ethan Hawke, Winona Ryder, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, and more surprise guests from the film. These film anniversaries and reunions are completed by the 35th anniversary of This Is Spinal Tap. In addition, Tribeca will give audiences a chance to see Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) on the big screen with a free family event on ‘Star Wars Day’ – May the 4th Be with You.
This year’s Closing Night film will continue Tribeca’s tradition of showcasing great storytelling with acclaimed director Danny Boyle’s highly anticipated film, Yesterday. The rock-n-roll comedy, with a screenplay by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Richard Curtis, follows Jack Malik (Himesh Patel, BBC’s Eastenders), a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie (Lily James, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again). Then, after a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never existed … and he finds himself with a very complicated problem, indeed. The film stars Himesh Patel, Lily James, Kate McKinnon, and Ed Sheeran.
“This isn’t a time travel movie but it feels like introducing the Beatles music to America for the first time-again,” Danny Boyle says. “Absolutely delighted that our film has been chosen to be the closing film of the Tribeca Film Festival. A great honor in a great city.”
Tribeca will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s renowned film Apocalypse Now as a Gala presentation at the Beacon Theatre. For the first time ever, audiences will see Apocalypse Now: Final Cut, remastered in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos® from a 4K scan of the original negative.
“Restoring Apocalypse Now: Final Cut forty years later has been a tremendous undertaking and joy that I am thrilled to be able to share with the world for the first time at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The audience will be able to see, hear and feel this film how I always hoped it could be—from the first ‘bang’ to the final whimper,” said Francis Ford Coppola.
Director Cameron Crowe and executive producer James L. Brooks and the Say Anything… cast will be on hand to discuss the film – and that iconic boombox scene – following a special screening marking its 30th anniversary.
Cameron Crowe said, “Can’t believe it’s been 30 years since we made Say Anything…The movie grew out of many inspiring conversations with James L. Brooks, and a quest to bring a new kind of romantic couple to the screen. Out of those many afternoons came the script, the opportunity to direct my own screenplay, and the great adventure of working with these wonderful actors, among them John Mahoney, Lili Taylor, Joan and John Cusack, and Ione Skye. And, of course, Eric Stoltz as The Rooster. We also had the gift of Peter Gabriel allowing us to use his extremely personal song, “In Your Eyes.” No other song ever worked coming out of that boombox. Big thanks to Paula Weinstein and the Tribeca Film Festival for bringing us together for this Anniversary Screening, and a chance to watch the movie again on the big screen with old friends and a brand-new audience.”
“This year, we are bringing some of the most iconic storytellers of our time back to the ‘big screen’ for our audiences by creating events and reunions for beloved films,” said Tribeca EVP Paula Weinstein.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, March 19 at 11:00 AM ET for the events at the Beacon Theatre: Apocalypse Now: Final Cut, This is Spinal Tap, Between Me and My Mind.
Tickets for Reality Bites, Say Anything…, and The Good, The Bad, The Hungry go on sale Tuesday, March 26 at 11:00 AM ET.
The film selections for Closing Night, Galas, Anniversary selections and the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival Gala are as follows:
CLOSING NIGHT
Himesh Patel and Lily James in “Yesterday” (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)
Yesterday, directed by Danny Boyle, screenplay by Richard Curtis, story by Jack Barth and Richard Curtis, produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Bernie Bellew, Matthew James Wilkinson, Richard Curtis, Danny Boyle. (UK) – World Premiere.
Yesterday, everyone knew The Beatles. Today, only Jack remembers their songs. He’s about to become a very big deal. From Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) and Richard Curtis, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and Notting Hill, comes a rock-n-roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that leads to the love of your life.
Jack Malik (Himesh Patel, BBC’s Eastenders) is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie (Lily James, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again). Then, after a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never existed … and he finds himself with a very complicated problem, indeed.
Performing songs by the greatest band in history to a world that has never heard them, and with a little help from his steel-hearted American agent, Debra (Emmy winner Kate McKinnon), Jack’s fame explodes. But as his star rises, he risks losing Ellie — the one person who always believed in him. With the door between his old life and his new closing, Jack will need to get back to where he once belonged and prove that all you need is love. A Universal Pictures release.
DATE: Saturday, May 4
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
GALA
Trey Anastasio in “Between Me and My Mind” (Photo by Jamie Schutz)
Between Me and My Mind, directed by Steven Cantor. Produced by Jamie Schutz. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Driven by a constant need to create, Phish frontman Trey Anastasio takes on new projects, including some of his most personal music to date as well as Phish’s ambitious New Year’s Eve show at Madison Square Garden
After the Premiere Screening: a special performance by Trey Anastasio Band
DATE: Friday, April 26
TIME: 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Beacon Theatre
ANNIVERSARIES
Apocalypse Now – 40th Anniversary & Restoration
Martin Sheen in “Apocalypse Now” (Photo by Vittorio Storaro)
Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now will celebrate its 40th Anniversary at the Festival with a screening of a new, never-before-seen restored version of the film, entitled Apocalypse Now: Final Cut. Remastered from the original negative in 4K Ultra HD, the film will be brought to life with Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos®, delivering spectacular colors and highlights that are up to 40 times brighter and blacks that are 10 times darker, and Dolby Atmos, producing moving audio that flows all around you with breathtaking realism. The Beacon Theatre will also be outfitted for this exclusive occasion with Meyer VLFC (Very Low Frequency Control), a ground-breaking loudspeaker system engineered to output audio frequencies below the limits of human hearing, giving the audience a truly visceral experience.
Nominated for eight Academy Awards®, Francis Ford Coppola’s stunning vision of the heart of darkness in all of us remains a classic and compelling Vietnam War epic. Martin Sheen stars as Army Captain Willard, a troubled man sent on a dangerous and mesmerizing odyssey into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade American Colonel named Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has succumbed to the horrors of war and barricaded himself in a remote outpost. [Released August 15, 1979]
After the Screening: An evening with Francis Ford Coppola who will reflect on the film and discuss its elaborate restoration.
DATE: Sunday, April 28
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Beacon Theatre
Say Anything… – 30th Anniversary
John Cusack and Ione Skye in “Say Anything” (Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox)
Thirty years ago, Cameron Crowe shifted the landscape of romantic comedies with his remarkable and deeply felt debut that chronicled, with tender and warm-hearted authenticity, a vivid tale of first love. Charting the blooming romance between recent high-school graduates Lloyd (John Cusack) and Diane (Ione Sky), Crowe gave audiences one of cinema’s most indelible and enduring romantic movie moments: a lovesick boy, standing outside a girl’s window, asking her to love him with the help of Peter Gabriel and a boombox. Three decades later, Say Anything… continues to give off the affectionate, enveloping glow of first love. [Released April 1, 1989]
After the Screening: A conversation with director Cameron Crowe, executive producer James L. Brooks, and cast members John Cusack and Ione Skye.
DATE: Tuesday, April 30
TIME: 8:00 PM
LOCATION: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Reality Bites – 25th Anniversary
Steve Zahn, Winona Ryder, Janeane Garofalo and Ethan Hawke in “Reality Bites” (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)
Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke star in Ben Stiller’s 1994 feature film directorial debut, the iconic comedy-drama that defined a generation of independent moviegoing-and-moviegoers with its achingly-relatable portrait of early 90’s disaffected youth struggling to live and love amid the brutal reality of (almost) adulthood.
In the film, written by Helen Childress, Lelaina Pierce (Ryder) navigates her post-college disillusionment by turning the camera on her friends: the free-spirited Vickie (Janeane Garofalo); Sammy (Steve Zahn), struggling to come out to his conservative parents; and the passionate but direction-less Troy (Hawke), with whom Lelaina is romantically-entwined until video executive Michael (Stiller, who co-stars) arrives with the promise of both budding romance and the chance for Lelaina to cash in on her dreams—but at what expense?
Reality Bites may have been for and about Generation X, but has proven itself a timeless, decades-spanning classic. [Released February 18, 1994]
After the Screening: A conversation reuniting director Ben Stiller, writer Helen Childress, actors Ethan Hawke, Winona Ryder, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, producer Michael Shamberg, and executive producer Stacey Sher.
DATE: Saturday, May 4
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
This Is Spinal Tap – 35th Anniversary
Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer in “This Is Spinal Tap” (Photo courtesy of Rialto Pictures/Studiocanal)
Spinal Tap is the loudest band in England and they’re making a comeback with a North American tour promoting their new album “Smell the Glove.” Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) sets out to make a documentary of the legendary rock band’s exploits on the road, featuring front men Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), bearing witness to the highs and lows of what makes a musician into a rock star. [Released March 2, 1984]
After the Screening: This Is Spinal Tap stars and creators Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Rob Reiner, will pay tribute to the band with a special musical performance and a conversation to follow.
DATE: Saturday, April 27
TIME: 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Beacon Theatre
13TH ANNUAL TRIBECA/ESPN SPORTS FILM FESTIVAL GALA
Takeru Kobayashi (pictured at far left) and Joey Chestnut (pictured at far right) in “The Good, The Bad, The Hungry”
The Good, The Bad, The Hungry, directed by Nicole Lucas Haimes. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Fortitude. Honor. Tradition. Two rivals address the years of animosity that defined their careers and their shared dream of achieving greatness on the world’s biggest stage: the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. An ESPN Films release.
DATE: Friday, April 26
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
STAR WARS TRIBECA FAMILY DAY
Mark Hamill, Alec Guinness and Harrison Ford in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.)
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Nineteen years after the formation of the Empire, Luke Skywalker is thrust into the struggle of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived for years in seclusion on the desert planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan begins Luke’s Jedi training as Luke joins him on a daring mission to rescue the beautiful Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of the evil Empire. Although Obi-Wan sacrifices himself in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader, his former apprentice, Luke proves that the Force is with him by destroying the Empire’s dreaded Death Star.
This is a first-come-first-serve free family event. Costumes are welcomed. May the 4th be with you.
DATE: Saturday, May 4
TIME: 10:00 AM
LOCATION: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Passes and Tickets for the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival
Advance selection ticket packages are now on sale. All packages can be purchased online at tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets, or by telephone at (646) 502-5296 or toll-free at (866) 941-FEST (3378).
Also available for purchase now is The Hudson Pass, an all-access pass to screenings and talks taking place at BMCC, Regal Battery Park Stadium, Village East Cinema, and SVA theaters as well as full access to all events at the Festival Hub at Spring Studios, which includes VR and Immersive projects, Movies Plus screenings and access to festival lounges.
Single tickets cost $24.00 for evening and weekend screenings, $12.00 for weekday matinee screenings, $30.00 for Tribeca TV and Movies Plus $40.00 for Tribeca Talks panels and $40.00 for Tribeca Immersive. Single ticket sales begin Tuesday, March 26 and can be purchased online through our film guide or through the call center.
Tickets for events at The Beacon Theatre are available for purchase online starting March 19.
Packages and passes are now available for purchase on the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival App, on:
About the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, brings visionaries and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and online work. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment. The Festival champions emerging and established voices; discovers award-winning filmmakers and creators; curates innovative experiences; and introduces new technology and ideas through premieres, exhibitions, talks, and live performances.
The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Now in its 18th year, the Festival has evolved into a destination for creativity that reimagines the cinematic experience and explores how art can unite communities. The 18th annual edition will take place April 24 – May 5, 2019. www.tribecafilm.com/festival
About 2019 Tribeca Film Festival Partners:
As Presenting Sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, AT&T is committed to supporting the Festival and the art of filmmaking through access and innovation, while expanding opportunities to diverse creators around the globe. AT&T helps millions connect to their passions – no matter where they are. This year, AT&T and Tribeca will once again collaborate to give the world access to stories from underrepresented filmmakers that deserve to be seen. “AT&T Presents Untold Stories” is an inclusive film program in collaboration with Tribeca – a multi-year, multi-tier alliance between AT&T and Tribeca along with the year-round nonprofit Tribeca Film Institute.
The Tribeca Film Festival is pleased to announce its 2019 Partners: 23andMe, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Bai Beverages, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), BVLGARI, CHANEL, Diageo, ESPN, IMDb, Kia, Merck, Montefiore, National CineMedia (NCM), Nespresso, New York Magazine, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Prime Video Direct, P&G, PwC, Spring Studios New York, Squarespace, and Status Sparkling Wine.
Brian May at the 91st annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on February 24, 2019.
(Photo by Eric McCandless/ABC)
Janelle Monae at a New York City screening of “Hidden Figures” at the SVA Theater on December 10, 2016. (Photo by Marion Curtis/Starpix)
The presenters have been announced for the 34th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Klipsch Audio, which will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on March 29, 2019.
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, presenting for The Cure
Brian May of Queen, presenting for Def Leppard
Janelle Monáe, presenting for Janet Jackson
Harry Styles, presenting for Stevie Nicks
David Byrne, presenting for Radiohead
John Taylor and Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran, presenting for Roxy Music
Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles, presenting for The Zombies
The show will have a live radio broadcast on SiriusXM, and HBO will premiere a special televising highlights from the show on April 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The special will also be available on HBO on Demand, HBO Go, HBO Now and partners’ streaming platforms. Exhibits showcasing the new inductees will be on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in conjunction with the induction ceremony.
Performers eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are those whose first single or first album was released at least 25 years before the artist can be inducted. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting members (which number about 1,000 people), as well online voting from the public, determine who will be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“A Love Song for Latasha” (Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison)
The following is a press release from the Tribeca Film Festival:
The 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, today announced its 2019 lineup of 63 diverse and engaging short films in competition, including 31 world premieres. This year’s shorts program includes a cross-section of international and U.S. filmmakers, curated from a record 5131 submissions with female filmmakers directing 45% of the selections. The short films will be presented in 11 distinct competition programs, consisting of six narrative, four documentary, and one animation program. There will also be special screening programs for the annual Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival and the debut of shorts from The Queen Collective, a program aimed at accelerating gender and racial equality behind the camera. The 2019 shorts lineup is programmed by Sharon Badal and Ben Thompson. The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival takes place April 24 – May 5.
“We spent a great deal of time curating programs that reflect the diverse interests of our audiences,” said Sharon Badal, Vice President of Filmmaker Relations and Shorts Programming. “This year we emphasize identity, community, and humanity while also entertaining our audience with some laughter, fun, and adventure.”
The flagship New York Shorts Program this year is entitled Streetwise and contains all world premiere narrative films, and back by popular demand are comedy (Funhouse) and sci-fi (Down to Earth). Among the new programs are the music-focused On Tour and the female-focused No Shortcuts documentary programs, and curated especially for late-night is the self-explanatory program WTF.
This year’s shorts program continues Tribeca’s tradition of discovering talent and encouraging filmmaker alumni development. Alumni returning this year with short films include Alexandra Barreto (Lady Hater), Matthew Bonifacio (Master Maggie), 2019 Oscar® nominee Marshall Curry (The Neighbors’ Window) David Darg (Lazarus), Lance Edmands (Whiteout,) Henry Hayes (Rogers and Tilden), Nadia Hallgren (After Maria), Jonathan Halperin (These American Truths), Scott Floyd Lochmus (Metronome) Smriti Mundhra (St. Louis Superman), Dana Nachman (Hook Up 2.0) and Victoria Rivera (Night Swim).
Some of the notable actors featured in the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival Shorts Film program include Lorraine Bracco, Brian Dennehy, Veronica Dunne, Brianna Hildebrand, Amanda Plummer, Bella Ramsey, and Keenan Thompson.
Tribeca’s Short Film program celebrates international storytelling with 44% of its selections representing 19 countries, including: Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Spain, Taiwan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The 2019 Oscar winner Bao, directed by Domee Shi world premiered at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival and is the latest in the Festival’s long tradition of curating films that have been nominated or won an Oscar. Recipients of the Tribeca Film Festival awards for Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short will qualify for consideration in the Academy Awards’ Short Films category, provided the film complies with Academy rules. Tribeca Film Festival also gives out a Student Visionary Award to a student filmmaker.
The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival Shorts Program is as follows:
Animated Shorts Curated by Whoopi G Showcasing imaginative storytelling and captivating craft. This program is suggested for those 14 and older.
“La Noria” (Image courtesy of NightWheel Pictures)
La Noria, directed and written by Carlos Baena. (Spain) – New York Premiere. A young boy who loves to draw and build ferris wheels encounters strange creatures that turn his life upside down. With English subtitles.
PeiXes, directed and written by Juan C. Pena. (Spain) – New York Premiere. A bold fish wants to see that there is beyond the water, and it is determined to succeed… With Antón Cancelas. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Mind My Mind, directed and written by Floor Adams. (Netherlands) – International Premiere. When relying on social scripts to survive the social world, it’s not easy to go off-script. Especially if you’re obsessed with German dive bombers and just want to date a girl. With Simon Hodges, Cézanne Tegelberg, Adam Fields, Faye Bloomfield, Lesley Hughes, Elias Vervecken.
My Mother’s Eyes, directed and written by Jenny Wright. (UK) – New York Premiere. My Mother’s Eyes is a story about motherhood and loss in the abstracted world of childhood memory.
These American Truths, directed by Ed Bell, Clementine Briand, Pierce Freelon, Jon Halperin, Aaron Keane, Drew Takahashi, written by Pierce Freelon, Jon Halperin. (USA) – World Premiere. How skin became color, color became race, and race became power. Or… the relationship of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson in an animated musical.
The Downfall of Santa Claus (Julenissens fall), directed and written by Robert Depuis. (Norway) – North American Premiere. Santa Claus whole existence is dependent on a little boy’s faith. With Jan Sælid, Jonathan Gebuhr, Fridtjov Såheim, Tone Merete Aas Skålevik. In Norwegian with English subtitles.
Down to Earth Sci-fi shorts explore the “gravity” of the situations.
John Bubniak in “Storm” (Photo by David Vollrath)
Storm, directed and written by Will Kindrick. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. An unexpected user is accidentally launched through a series of turbulent splash portals when his government enforced dating app malfunctions in his bathtub. With John Bubniak, Corey Potter, Gwen Van Dam, RJ Howard, Corey L Page.
Bunker Burger, directed and written by Adam Yorke. (Canada) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. The members of an underground, post-apocalyptic bunker invite a psychologist from the radioactive and chaotic surface to audition for a place to live among them. With Enrico Colantoni, Sara Mitich, Tony Babcock, Jennifer Vallance, Sarah Gnocato, Bethanie Ho.
Flyby, directed and written by Jesse Mittelstadt. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. When a passing asteroid begins to affect how people perceive time, one man struggles to keep up with a life that is quickly disappearing into the future. With Tommee May, Riley Egan, Adam Mayfield, Akul Dang, Bardot Corso, Charles Chu, Chelsea Harris, Chris Reagan, Justin Rupple, Phil Abrams, Ryan Shrime, Torrey Devitto, Valeria Maldonado, Caity Ware.
Unregistered, directed by Sophia Banks, written by Erin Dignam. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. Unregistered is a narrative short film following a new couple navigating analog and digital connections in the not-too-distant future of a dystopian Los Angeles. With Dylan Penn, Trevor Jackson, David Lee Smith.
Zero, directed and written by The Brother’s Lynch. (USA, UK) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. After a mysterious electromagnetic pulse renders the world’s technology useless, a young girl finds herself isolated and alone with only her father’s strict set of rules to keep her alive. With Bella Ramsey, Nigel O’Neill, Danny Shooter, James Oliver Wheatley.
The Shipment, directed and written by Bobby Bala. (Canada) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. Unable to afford repairs to his old broken ship, a struggling interplanetary transporter and his daughter are stranded on a wretched spaceport as his morality is put to the test. With Aleks Paunovic, Ishana Bala, Robert Maillet, Omari Newton.
Express Yourself Shorts that show their true colors.
Michelle Keating in “Perfect Day” (Photo by Alice Stephens)
This Perfect Day, directed and written by Lydia Rui. (Australia) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. Across the street, a music store is closing. With only a few minutes to make their move, Julia realizes it’s time for them to face their fears. With Michelle Keating, Lee Mason, Hannah Koch.
Ponyboi, directed and written by River Gallo. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. Ponyboi, an intersex sex-worker, looks for love and to escape his seedy life in New Jersey. Through an encounter with the man of his dreams, Ponyboi discovers his worth. With River Gallo, Keith Allan, Aaron Schwartz, Sophie Labelle, Logan Arevelo.
War Paint, directed by J.C. Doler, Taylor Bracewell, written by J.C. Doler. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. War Paint is a reverse first-person narrative telling the true story of Joe, a veteran of the Vietnam war. The film follows him as he enlists, prepares, and heads off to war. With J.C. Doler, Alex Dafnis, Patrick Kirton, Chris Alan Evans, Paul Petersen, Clayton Henderson.
Street Flame, directed and written by Katherine Propper. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. Following the death of their friend, a crew of skaters and motley street teens imagine their own rituals to commemorate her on their own terms. With Sauve Sidle, Isaiah Shepard, Jessica Price, Kaitlyn Mitchell, Curtis Rhodes.
Driving Lessons, directed and written by Marziyeh Riahi. (Iran) – North American Premiere, Short Narrative. According Iranian law, Bahareh must have her traditional, chauvinistic husband accompany her on driving lessons so she and her instructor will not be alone. With Linda Kiani, Alireza Sanifar, Salar Khamseh, Sanaz Mesbah. In Persian with English subtitles.
Maja, directed by Marijana Jankovic, written by Marijana Jankovic, Adam August. (Denmark) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. Maja, a six-year-old Serbian girl, has a difficult time interacting with the other kids—and she ends up being misunderstood and lonesome. With Selena Marsenic, Jesper Christensen, Dejan Cukic, Marijana Jankovic. In Danish, Serbian with English subtitles.
Forces of Nature Character docs that demand attention.
“99 Problems” (Photo by Malcolm McGettigan)
99 Problems, directed by Ross Killeen. (Ireland) – International Premiere, Short Documentary. The inside scoop on the murky world of the ice cream business.
Framing Agnes, directed by Chase Joynt, Kristen Schilt. (USA) – North American Premiere, Short Documentary. In 2017, trans artists gained access to a 1950s archive of never-before-seen histories of transgender people. Through reenactment and documentary, they revive the past to redefine the future. With Angelica Ross, Chase Joynt, Max Wolf Valerio, Silas Howard, Zackary Drucker.
Stanley Stellar: Here for this Reason, directed and written by Eric Leven. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. 40 years of New York City gay history told through photographs and the man behind the camera there to capture it all.
War Mothers: Unbreakable, directed by Stefan Bugryn. (Ukraine, Australia) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. What does an 18-year-old do when war comes to her country? In Ukrainian with English subtitles.
St. Louis Superman, directed by Smriti Mundhra, Sami Khan. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Documentary. Bruce Franks Jr., a Ferguson activist and battle rapper who was elected to the overwhelmingly white and Republican Missouri House of Representatives, must overcome both personal trauma and political obstacles to pass a critical bill for his community.
Funhouse It’s all fun and games in these comedic shorts.
“Hook Up 2.0”
Hook Up 2.0, directed and written by Dana Nachman. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. A sorority girl figures out a way to eliminate all risk from the late-night ritual that is the college hook up. Now all she needs is to find a guy to test out her idea on… and with. With Veronica Dunne, Billy Meade.
Westfalia, directed and written by Haley Finnegan, written by Haley Finnegan. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. A couple embarks on an epic road trip in an attempt to gain more followers after their Instagram rival’s fame doubles overnight. With Haley Finnegan, Brian Flynn, Nicholas DePriest, Belle Adams, Laura Lawson Visconti, Nick Visconti.
Lady Hater, directed and written by Alexandra Barreto. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. A self-proclaimed “guy’s girl” finds herself stuck in an all-female, goddess seminar. With Allyn Rachel, Natalie Zea.
I Think She Likes You, directed by Bridey Elliott, written by Teresa Lee (Screenplay), Christine Medrano. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. When Justine and Julia pick Jake up at a bar, it’s not quite the threesome he was expecting. With Christine Medrano, Teresa Lee, Josh Fadem.
Peggy, directed and written by Justin O’Neal Miller. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. Everything always seems to work out perfectly for Peggy, but her social graces are put to the test when she throws a birthday party for her eight-year-old son. With Jason MacDonald, Sarah Blackman, Josh Warren, Kurt Yue.
Hard-ish Bodies, directed and written by Mike Carreon. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. A plus-size male stripper knocks on the wrong door and is thrust into the criminal underworld. His only chance to save the club and himself is to do what he does best … DANCE! With Mike Carreon, James C Leary, Regina Soto, Heidi Lornz, Marcone Cangussu, Adam Mengesha, Isaac Garza, Meghan Malone.
40 Minutes Over Maui, directed by Michael Feld, Josh Covitt, written by Steve Feld, Michael Feld, Josh Covitt. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. For 40 minutes on January 13, 2018, the fate of the world hung in the balance. For Larry and Penny… their Hawaiian vacation became a lot more meaningful. With Julie Brister, Johnny Ray Meeks.
Life Preserver Docs that make a difference.
“Keepers of the Wild”
Keepers of the Wild, directed and written by Adam McClelland. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Documentary. Keepers of the Wild follows baby orphan elephants and their human keepers in the constant struggle to keep these majestic, complex and loving animals alive and wild in Kenya’s largest National Park.
A Tale of Two Kitchens, directed by Trisha Ziff, written by Trisha Ziff, Sheerly Avni. (USA, Mexico) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Two countries, two restaurants, one vision. A Tale of Two Kitchens explores how a restaurant is a place of dignity and community across Mexico City and San Francisco. In English, Spanish with English subtitles. A Netflix release.
All On a Mardi Gras Day, directed and written by Michal Pietrzyk. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Documentary. In a gentrifying New Orleans, Demond is part of a secret culture called Mardi Gras Indians, African-American men who spend all year sewing feathered suits to decide who’s “the prettiest.”
Learning To Skateboard In a Warzone (If You’re A Girl), directed by Carol Dysinger. (UK) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Learning To Skateboard In A Warzone (If You’re A Girl) is the story of young Afghan girls learning to read, write—and skateboard—in Kabul. In Dari with English subtitles.
No Shortcuts Navigating life is tough in these female-focused docs.
“Reality Baby” (Photo by Matt Leigh)
Reality Baby, directed by Nodlag Houlihan. (Ireland) – International Premiere, Short Documentary. A group of friends is given lifelike baby dolls to care for over 24 hours. How will they rise to the challenges of teenage motherhood?
Little Miss Sumo, directed and written by Matt Kay. (Japan, Taiwan R.O.C., UK, USA) – North American Premiere, Short Documentary. Female sumo wrestling champion Hiyori confronts obstacles both inside and outside the ring in an attempt to change Japan’s national sport forever. In English, Japanese with English subtitles. Also playing in Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival: Sports Shorts
A Love Song for Latasha, directed by Sophia Nahli Allison. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. A dreamlike conversation with the past and the present, this film reimagines a more nuanced narrative of Latasha Harlins by excavating intimate memories shared by her cousin and best friend. With Tybee O’Bard, Shinese Harlins, Zoe Flint, Nnenna Brown, Juanita Jennings, Marley Cortez, Londyn Sharp, Raigan Alex, Irie Hudson.
After Maria, directed by Nadia Hallgren. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Strong Puerto Rican women forced to flee the island after Hurricane Maria have bonded like family in a FEMA hotel in the Bronx. They seek stability in their new life as forces try to pull them apart. In Spanish with English subtitles. A Netflix release.
On Tour Music docs that speak to heart and soul.
“Xmas Cake” (Photo by May Yam)
Xmas Cake – This American Shelf-Life, directed by May Yam, written by Petra Hanson. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. A coming-of-middle-age story about a female singer’s journey from hot to not, and what ensues across cultures—from New York to Tokyo. With Petra Hanson.
Lost Weekend, directed by Bradford Thomason, Brett Whitcomb. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. In 1984, two friends from small town Pennsylvania win an MTV contest and the chance to party with Van Halen for 48 Hours. With Kurt Jefferis, Tom Winnick.
A Song Can’t Burn, directed and written by Roscoe Neil. (UK) – New York Premiere, Short Documentary. A Song Can’t Burn follows a Scottish musician working with refugee children who have crossed the border from Syria to Lebanon.
Lazarus, directed by David Darg. (USA, Malawi, UK) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Lazarus is a short documentary following Lazarus Chigwandali, a street musician with Albinism from Malawi as he teams up with a London-based music producer to record his debut album. With Clem Kwizombe, Esau Mwamwaya, Johan Hugo, Ikponwosa Ero. In Chechewa, English with English subtitles.
That’s My Jazz, directed by Ben Proudfoot. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Milt Abel Jr., a world-renowned pastry chef, reflects on his relationship with his deceased father and famed Kansas City jazz musician, Milton Abel Sr. With Albert Trepanier Jr., Bobby “Hurricane” Spencer, Cathy Luke, Henry Franklin, Ibrahima Sow, Kaleb Ross, Lasse Funch Sørenson, Lasse Mørck, Marie Buch Hoyer, Michael Be Holden, Norman Weatherly, Retha Spencer, Richard Spicer, Søren Høst.
Roads Less Traveled Destinations unknown.
“East of the River” (Photo by Christopher Messina)
East of the River, directed and written by Hannah Peterson. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. When Teonna is unexpectedly suspended from school, she encounters a girl from her past who takes her on an adventure through the city. With Ayiana T. Davis, Steloni Mason, Malachi Mack.
Pearl (Zhen Zhu), directed and written by Yuchao Feng. (China) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. In a desolate Chinese fishing village, a single mother gives her 6-year-old daughter one final lesson. With Lu Liu, Yating Cao, Menghua Zhong, Jinnai Chen. In Chinese with English subtitles.
Black Hat, directed by Sarah Smith, written by Phillip Guttmann. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. A pious Hasidic man living a secret double life misplaces his hat one night, which will cause his two separate lives to collide in a way he never imagined. With Adam Silver, Sebastian Velmont, Shelly Kurtz, Alan Lennick, Carolyn Michelle Smith, Nicholas Hylander.
Snare, directed by Madeleine Gottlieb, written by Madeleine Gottlieb, James Fraser. (Australia) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. At an aging Chinese restaurant in 1997, a dad asks his punk musician son to help him follow his dreams. With Steve Rodgers, James Fraser.
Carlito Leaves Forever, directed and written by Quentin Lazzarotto. (France, Peru) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. A short poetic film following Carlito, a young man living in an indigenous village at the heart of the Amazonian jungle, who decided to leave and change his life forever. With Carlito Tirira Meshi, Alfonsina Sehua Tioshe.
Jebel Banat, directed and written by Sharine Atif. (Egypt) – North American Premiere, Short Narrative. Two Bedouin sisters hide on a mountain, escaping forced marriages and embarking on a journey of freedom. With Sara Soumaya Abed, Jala Hesham, Soliman El Jebaly. In Arabic with English subtitles.
Where I End And You Begin, directed and written by Will Hoffman, Julius Metoyer. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. Snapshots of different lives are woven together to illuminate something deeply human about the country: despite obvious differences, emotions provide a common ground.
Streetwise New York shorts that can handle themselves.
“The Dishwasher” (Photo by Nick Hartanto)
The Dishwasher, directed and written by Nick Hartanto, Sam Roden. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. A chef at a fine dining restaurant in New York City asks a Mexican dishwasher to find good tortillas. With Kevin Balmore, Elisha Yaffe, Holly Lynn Ellis, Teddy Cañez, Arisleyda Lombert, Richie Moriarty. In English, Spanish with English subtitles.
Night Swim, directed by Victoria Rivera, written by Victoria Rivera and Neda Jebelli. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. Three teenage girls break into a shut down pool. When uninvited guests show up, their friendship is tested and one of them is left behind. With Adriana Santos, Chloe Roe, Adea Lennox.
Rogers and Tilden, directed by Henry Hayes, written by Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Henry Hayes. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. Fresh out of prison in a Brooklyn he barely recognizes, Marcus is looking to seize his second chance. But first, he needs that driver’s license. With Gbenga Akinnagbe, Curtiss Cook Jr, Lorrie Odom.
Master Maggie, directed by Matthew Bonifacio, written by Julianna Gelinas Bonifacio, Matthew Bonifacio. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. A celebrity acting coach is interrupted by an unknown actor begging for her help for a TV audition. What follows is an unexpected journey for the both of them. With Lorraine Bracco, Neil Jain, Kenan Thompson, Brian Dennehy, Chris Henry Coffey.
Metronome (In Time), directed and written by Scott Floyd Lochmus. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. In this wordless fable, an ailing elderly maestro and a young piano prodigy venture out of their musical isolation in hopes of selling their beloved piano. With David Patrick Kelly, Gabriel Gurevich, Patrick Cannell, Adaku Ononogbo, Mehdi Barakchian, Valerie Steinberg.
The Neighbors’ Window, directed and written by Marshall Curry. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. The Neighbors’ Window tells the true story of a middle-aged woman with small children whose life is shaken up when two free-spirited twenty-somethings move in across the street. With Maria Dizzia, Greg Keller, Juliana Canfield, Bret Lada.
WTF Watch These Films curated especially for late-night.
“Twist” (Photo by Cory Geryak)
Twist, directed and written by Aly Migliori. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. No choice but to walk home alone, Hannah sees an opportunity for a ride, but others see an opportunity in her. With Helena Howard, Megan Seely, Henry Dwyer, Mike Donovan, Justin Hofstad, Matthew Russell.
Whiteout, directed by Lance Edmands, written by Lance Edmands, Sarah Tihany. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. When a young couple encounters a strange old man wandering in a snowstorm, they must decide if he needs help, or if he has more sinister intentions. With Sarah Tihany, David Call, Patrick M Walsh Jr..
His Hands, directed and written by Arron Blake, Darius Shu. (UK) – North American Premiere, Short Narrative. Two men of different ages meet for the strangest encounter of their lives. With Arron Blake, Philip Brisebois.
Momster, directed and written by Drew Denny. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. When notorious bank robber, the Momster, catches her daughter Angel mid-gunfight, Angel thinks she’s being rescued… until she realizes she has to do the saving. With Brianna Hildebrand, Amanda Plummer, John Ennis, Josh Fadem, Ryan Simpkins.
Hunting Season, directed by Shannon Kohli, written by Hannah Levien. (Canada) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. Callie, a small town gas station attendant, has an unexpected encounter which will change the course of her life forever. With Hannah Levien, Luke Camilleri.
11:50, directed and written by Yiguo Chen. (China) – World Premiere, Short Narrative. In the pouring rain, a junkie takes the hotel key of a man that his car has accidentally killed. As he walks into the hotel and finds that room, he has to face a mysterious journey that will never have an end. In Chinese with English subtitles.
Snaggletooth, directed and written by Colin Bishopp. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative. An unusual girl needs to get her teeth fixed at midnight. With Jolie Ledford, Sierra Marcks, Susan Louise O’Connor, Thomas Cokenias.
Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival: Sports Shorts A spectrum of stories, styles, and sports, this collection of athletically-minded short films will take audiences on the exciting personal journeys of athletes.
“Who Says I Can’t”
The Boxers of Brule, directed and written by Jessie Adler. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Shaionna, a young Lakota woman, creates a girls’ boxing team to combat the youth suicide epidemic threatening the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation. With the odds stacked against her, she must confront her own demons while fighting to bring hope and healing to her community. With Shaionna Grassrope-Ziegler, Davita Thompson, Shilea Grassrope, Pam Ziegler, Jada Whitelight, Rianna Rodriguez. In English with English subtitles.
Mack Wrestles (Mack Wrestles), directed by Taylor Hess, Erin Sanger. (USA) – New York Premiere, Short Documentary. Mack Beggs loved wrestling—it gave him a sense of purpose and a sense of self. Mack Wrestles, takes the audience behind the scenes as this gifted athlete from Euless, Texas, struggles against the outside forces that stigmatize transgender athletes.
Who Says I Can’t (Who Says I Can’t), directed by Kristen Lappas. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Rob Mendez was born without arms or legs, but after more than a decade of acting as an assistant football coach, he finally got the opportunity he’d always wanted: the head coaching position at a major high school. Who Says I Can’t chronicles Mendez’s first season at the helm of his own team.
Also playing in Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival: Sports Shorts —Little Miss Sumo
The Queen Collective shorts The debut of two Queen Collective documentaries, supported by Proctor & Gamble, aimed at accelerating gender and racial equality behind the camera. Created by diverse young women – these short films inspire positive social change and embody Proctor and Gamble’s commitment to supporting gender and racial equity, on-screen and behind the scenes.
“Ballet After Dark” (Photo by Bunmi Abari)
Ballet After Dark, directed by B.Monét. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Ballet After Dark tells the story a young woman who found the strength to survive after an attack. She created an organization that is helping sexual abuse and domestic violence survivors find healing after trauma through dance therapy.
If There Is Light, directed by Haley Elizabeth Anderson. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. Fourteen-year-old Janiyah Blackmon wrestles with her new life in New York City as her mom tries to move her family out of the shelter system and into a stable home. With Janiyah Blackmon, McKayla Blackmon, Jakena Blackmon.
Passes and Tickets for the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival
Advance selection ticket packages are now on sale. All packages can be purchased online at tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets, or by telephone at (646) 502-5296 or toll-free at (866) 941-FEST (3378).
Also available for purchase now is The Hudson Pass, an all-access pass to screenings and talks taking place at BMCC, Regal Battery Park Stadium, Village East Cinema, and SVA theaters as well as full access to all events at the Festival Hub at Spring Studios, which includes VR and Immersive projects, Movies Plus screenings and access to festival lounges.
Single tickets cost $24.00 for evening and weekend screenings, $12.00 for weekday matinee screenings, $30.00 for Tribeca TV and Movies Plus $40.00 for Tribeca Talks panels and $40.00 for Tribeca Immersive. Single ticket sales begin Tuesday, March 26 and can be purchased online through our film guide or through the call center.
Tickets for events at The Beacon Theatre are available for purchase online starting March 19.
Packages and passes are now available for purchase on the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival App, on:
About the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, brings visionaries and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and online work. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment. The Festival champions emerging and established voices; discovers award-winning filmmakers and creators; curates innovative experiences; and introduces new technology and ideas through premieres, exhibitions, talks, and live performances.
The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Now in its 18th year, the Festival has evolved into a destination for creativity that reimagines the cinematic experience and explores how art can unite communities. The 18th annual edition will take place April 24 – May 5, 2019. www.tribecafilm.com/festival #Tribeca2019
Hashtag: #Tribeca2019
Twitter: @Tribeca
Instagram: @tribeca
Facebook: facebook.com/Tribeca
About 2019 Tribeca Film Festival Partners:
As Presenting Sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, AT&T is committed to supporting the Festival and the art of filmmaking through access and innovation, while expanding opportunities to diverse creators around the globe. AT&T helps millions connect to their passions – no matter where they are. This year, AT&T and Tribeca will once again collaborate to give the world access to stories from underrepresented filmmakers that deserve to be seen. “AT&T Presents Untold Stories” is an inclusive film program in collaboration with Tribeca – a multi-year, multi-tier alliance between AT&T and Tribeca along with the year-round nonprofit Tribeca Film Institute.
The Tribeca Film Festival is pleased to announce its 2019 Partners: 23andMe, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Bai Beverages, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), BVLGARI, CHANEL, Diageo, ESPN, IMDb, Kia, Merck, Montefiore, National CineMedia (NCM), Nespresso, New York Magazine, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Prime Video Direct, P&G, PwC, Spring Studios New York, Squarespace, and Status Sparkling Wine.
“Gymnasia” (Photo courtesy of Felix & Paul Studios)
The following is a press release from the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, announced today that Tribeca Immersive, which leads as an incubator for innovation and is a global stage where top VR creators choose to debut their latest work, will showcase more than 30 cinematic and cutting-edge virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality experiences by top artists who push the boundaries of storytelling with technology. Tribeca Immersive encompasses two events that run the duration of the Festival, Virtual Arcade, presented by AT&T, and Tribeca Cinema360. The Tribeca Film Festival takes place from April 24 to May 5.
Visitors to the Virtual Arcade will encounter a lineup of 22 compelling VR, AR and MR experiences and exhibits from new and established artists, with Tribeca Cinema360 featuring 12 curated screenings in a custom VR theater. Immersive attendees will be transported to places they’ve never been, from a time-warping dream bubble (Future Dreaming) to an alien jungle (Bonfire), to riding on the back of a jellyfish to experience the wonders of the deep to see the impact of pollution from a vitally different perspective (A Drop in the Ocean). The Festival will premiere the first Dr. Who experience in VR, Dr. Who: The Runaway, voiced by the current and first female doctor Jodie Whittaker, and also present a one-of-a-kind collaboration with popular historian/podcaster Dan Carlin and MWM Immersive that transports attendees to a WWI battlefield with stunning realism (War Remains).
“Tribeca Immersive remains committed to the power of new technology as a dynamic vehicle for storytelling,” said Loren Hammonds, Senior Programmer, Film & Immersive for Tribeca Film Festival. “This year’s programming spans a myriad of genres, including many world premiere VR, MR and AR experiences.”
Numerous projects in this year’s program address relevant cultural issues, including gun control (12 Seconds of Gunfire: The True Story of a School Shooting), gentrification (Common Ground), pollution and conservation (A Drop in the Ocean) and persecution of the LGBTQIA community (Another Dream). Throughout the exhibition, Tribeca welcomes bleeding-edge creativity, showcasing top tech innovations, many of which showcase the future of location-based entertainment.
At this year’s Virtual Arcade, the Storyscapes juried selections present new trends and innovative work across mediums that integrate various forms of audience participation, with interactive installations focused on emotion and the human experience. The Storyscapes Award, presented by AT&T, honors artists who bridge the gap between technology and storytelling. This year, four of the five experiences up for the award were made by female creators.
Tribeca Immersive includes innovative experiences from creators such as Eric Darnell and Baobab Studios (Bonfire), Jessica Brillhart (Into The Light), Jan Kounen and producers Atlas V (Ayahuasca), Celine Tricart (The Key), Clyde Henry and Felix & Paul Studios (Gymnasia), Adam May (A Drop In The Ocean), Dan Carlin and MWM Immersive (War Remains) and Fable Studios’ Pete Billington and Jessica Yaffa Shamash (Wolves in the Walls: It’s All Over). Other notable names involved with projects include comedian Ali Wong (Bonfire), actors Jeffrey Wright and Noah Schnapp (Wolves In The Walls: It’s All Over), and musician Yo-Yo Ma (Into The Light).
“It has been a wild ride seeing how artists and filmmakers have responded to new technologies over the years, constantly pushing and prodding and exploring the edges of things in order to make beautiful and vital work,” said Ingrid Kopp, co-curator of Tribeca Immersive.
VIRTUAL ARCADE Sponsored by AT&T
“7 Lives” (Image courtesy of Red Corner)
2nd Civil War (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Kevin Cornish Key Collaborators: Moth + Flame, Conversive, Pollution Studios, Denis Sharabarin
2nd Civil War has broken out in America. In this voice-activated VR experience, you will drop into an Insurgent Hot Zone, interrogate the inner circle of the insurgency and decide: which side are you on?
7 Lives (World Premiere) – Luxembourg, France, Belgium Project Creator: Charles Ayats, Sabrina Calvo, Jan Kounen Key Collaborators: Franck Weber, Céline Tricart, Marie Blondiaux, Adrien Oumhani
An afternoon in June. Tokyo. 5 p.m. A girl jumps in front of the subway. Her soul rises from the rails. On the platform, the six people who witnessed the scene are in shock. It revived a trauma in them, painful memories they never overcame…
Ayahuasca (World Premiere) – France, Luxembourg Project Creator: Jan Kounen Key Collaborators: Guillermo Arévalo Valera – Shaman, Antoine Cayrol, Marion Guth, Vincent Guttman, Nicolas Becker, Nicolas Blies, Stéphane Hueber-Blies
Participants are immersed in visions triggered by a dose of ayahuasca. The spectator lives this through director Jan Kounen’s eyes as he travels on a spiritual voyage.
Bonfire (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Eric Darnell, Baobab Studios Key Collaborators: Maureen Fan, Larry Cutler, Kane Lee, Shannon Ryan, Ali Wong
Nice job. You’ve crashed your spaceship into an alien jungle. Your instincts, nourishment cylinders, and a wary robot sidekick are all you have for survival… or so you think. With Ali Wong.
Cave (US Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Ken Perlin, Kris Layng, Sebastian Herscher Key Collaborators: Jess Bass Cave is a coming-of-age story told through cutting edge Parallux technology, featuring a fully immersive holographic VR experience that can be shared by many audience members at once.
Children Do Not Play War (World Premiere) – Uganda, Brazil, USA Project Creator: Fabiano Mixo Children Do Not Play War is a cinematic VR tale of the war in Uganda told through the eyes of a young girl. Also playing in the program Cinema360: Her Truth, Her Power
Common Ground(World Premiere) – UK Project Creator: Darren Emerson Key Collaborators: Ashley Cowan, Conan Roberts
Explore the notorious Aylesbury Estate, concrete monument to the history and legacy of social housing in the UK, and home to a community affected by forces beyond their control.
Doctor Who: The Runaway (World Premiere) – UK Project Creator: BBC / Passion Animation Studios Key Collaborators: Mathias Chelebourg
Step inside the TARDIS with the Doctor in this beautiful, animated, interactive story from the Doctor Who team. With Jodie Whittaker, Richard Elfyn.
A Drop in the Ocean (World Premiere) – UK, France, USA Project Creator: Adam May, Chris Campkin, Chris Parks Key Collaborators: Philippe Cousteau, Ashlan Cousteau, Vision3, Conservation International
Discover a miniature universe at the heart of our survival. Become part of a Social VR adventure through the ocean food chain, to reveal a crisis of our making.
Ello (World Premiere) – China Project Creator: Haodan Su Key Collaborators: Zhiyuan Ma, Hao Luo Ello is a sweet story about loneliness and friendship. When people expect friendship or love, proactively pursuing rather than passively waiting might lead to a surprising end.
Gymnasia (World Premiere) – Canada Project Creator: Clyde Henry Productions Key Collaborators: The National Film Board of Canada and Felix & Paul StudiosStep into a dream, where the ghostly ephemera of a lost childhood await you.
Into the Light (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Jessica Brillhart, Igal Nassima Key Collaborator: Yo-Yo Ma
Ascend Spring Studios and move through the movements of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor,” performed by the legendary Yo-Yo Ma.
Stealing Ur Feelings (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Noah Levenson Key Collaborators: Brett Gaylor Stealing Ur Feelings is an AR experience about the power of facial emotion recognition AI that exploits your reaction to its own content in horrifying ways.
Unceded Territories (World Premiere) – Canada/USA Project Creator: Paisley Smith and Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Key Collaborators: Ketsia Vedrine, Peter Denny, Patrick Weekes, Jason Legge
Through infectious interaction, build a natural world made up of the colorful, surrealist art of acclaimed First Nations painter Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, until you are confronted by Colonialist Snake who forces you to see the truth behind your actions.
War Remains (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Dan Carlin, MWM Immersive
Key Collaborators: Brandon Oldenburg, Ethan Stearns, Flight School Studio, Skywalker Sound
Podcast legend Dan Carlin employs the unique power of virtual reality to transport audiences into one of the most extreme battlefields in history – the Western Front of The First World War.
Where There’s Smoke (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Lance Weiler Key Collaborators: Peter English, Julia Pontecorvo, Dale Worstall Where There’s Smoke mixes documentary, immersive theater, and an escape room to explore memory and loss. Set within the aftermath of a blaze, participants race to determine the cause of a tragic fire by sifting through the charred remains.
Wolves in the Walls: It’s All Over (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Pete Billington, Jessica Yaffa Shamash Key Collaborators: Fable, Facebook Sound+Design, Third Rail Projects, Oculus Studios, Edward Saatchi, Chris Hanson
Transport into the magic of VR cinema, where only you can help Lucy discover what’s truly hiding inside the walls of her house. With Jeffrey Wright, Noah Schnapp, Elizabeth Carena, Cadence Goblirsch
STORYSCAPES Sponsored by AT&T
“Another Dream” (Photo courtesy of Ado Ato Pictures)
The competition includes four world premieres and one International premiere. One Storyscapes nominee will be selected by a jury to receive the Storyscapes Award, presented by AT&T, which recognizes groundbreaking approaches in storytelling and technology. The five projects come from Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Netherlands, UK and USA.
Another Dream (حلم آخر) (World Premiere) – Netherlands, USA, Egypt Project Creator: Tamara Shogaolu, Ado Ato Pictures Key Collaborators: Lauren Dubowski, Natalya Sarch, Nada El-Kouny, Anastasia Semenoff (alpha_rats), Martijn Zandvliet, Gata Mahardika, Ytje Veenstra, Audioimmersive.com Another Dream brings to life the gripping, true story of an Egyptian lesbian couple. Faced with a post-Revolution backlash against their community, they must choose between love and home.
The Collider (North American Premiere) – UK Project Creator: Anagram.
Enter The Collider, a machine built to decipher the mysteries of human relationships. The Collider is an immersive virtual and theatrical experience exploring power, dependency, and the space between people.
Future Dreaming (World Premiere) – Australia Project Creator: Sutu Key Collaborators: Charles Henden, Alison Lockyer, Maverick Eaton, Maxie Coppin, Nelson Coppin
Step into a time-warping dream bubble as four young Aboriginal Australians approach their futures. Be ready for an intergalactic adventure. Look out for the space emus!
The Key (World Premiere) – USA, Iraq Project Creator: Celine Tricart Key Collaborators: Gloria Bradbury
An interactive VR experience taking the viewer on a journey through memories. Will they be able to unlock the mystery behind the mysterious Key without sacrificing too much?
Traitor (World Premiere) – UK Project Creator: Pilot Theatre, Lucy Hammond Key Collaborators: Matt Stuttard Parker, Richard Hurford, Rebecca Saw, Lydia Denno, Jonathan Eato
Eight hours ago, teenager Emma McCoy vanished. All she left behind was a game. Now it’s the viewer’s job to find her.
TRIBECA CINEMA360
“12 Seconds of Gunfire: The True Story of a School Shooting”
Change is Gonna Come 12 Seconds of Gunfire: The True Story of a School Shooting (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Suzette Moyer, Seth Blanchard Key Collaborators: John Woodrow Cox
After a gunman shoots her best friend on the playground, a first-grade girl confronts a journey of trauma and loss after the Townville, South Carolina, school shooting.
Ashe ’68 (New York Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Brad Lichtenstein Key Collaborators: Beth Hubbard, Rex Miller, Jeff Fitzsimmons
Arthur Ashe emerged as an elite athlete who parlayed his fame as the first black man to win the US Open tennis championship into a lifetime devoted to fighting injustice.
Accused No. 2: Walter Sisalu (North American Premiere) – France Project Creator: Nicolas Champeaux & Gilles Porte Key Collaborators: Oerd Van Cuijlenborg
A trove of 256 hours of sound archives of the Rivonia trial bring back to life the political battle waged by Nelson Mandela and his seven co-defendants against apartheid. This film looks at one of them in particular: Accused No. 2, Walter Sisulu.
Go Team! 11.11.18 (World Premiere) – Belgium, France Project Creator: Sébastien Tixador et Django Schreven Key Collaborators: Boris Baum, Sébastien Plazeneix, Antoine Sauwen
A few minutes before the suspension of fighting in World War on November 11, 1918, soldiers have to face a series of decisions.
Space Buddies (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Matt Jenkins, Ethan Shaftel Key Collaborators: Piotr Karwas
It takes a special team of astronauts to survive the voyage to Mars without going insane. This crew will be lucky to make it past launch.
Mr. Buddha (董仔的人) (International Premiere) – Taiwan R.O.C. Project Creator: HTC Corporation, Lee Chung Key Collaborators: HTC VIVE, Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival Executive Committee
The short crime story takes place in a car, following Dong-Tzu, Ching-Tsai, and Ni-Sang, who get their hands on a valuable antique only to have the fruits of their labor shared with the newcomer, A-Che.
Her Truth, Her Power Mercy (New York Premiere) – USA, Cameroon Project Creator: Armando Kirwin Key Collaborators: Sutu, Ruben Plomp, Emma Debany, AMK LTD, Oculus VR for Good
Edith, a 14-year-old from Cameroon, journeys through the jungle seeking life-transforming surgery to remove a tumor on her jaw.
Girl Icon (New York Premiere) – USA, India Project Creator: Sadah Espii Proctor Key Collaborators: Amy Seidenwurm, Skye Von, Paula Cuneo, Lauren Burmaster, Espii Studios, little GIANT Wolf, Oculus VR for Good
Globally, over 130 million girls do not go to school. Step into the life of one girl from India who is inspired by Malala Yousafzai to change her course.
Children Do Not Play War (World Premiere) – Uganda, Brazil, USA Project Creator: Fabiano Mixo Key Collaborators: Amy Seidenwurm, VILD Studio, Oculus VR for Good Children Do Not Play War is a cinematic VR tale of the war in Uganda told through the eyes of a young girl. Also playing in the Virtual Arcade.
Such Sweet Sorrow Armonia (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Bracey Smith Key Collaborators: Anja Moreno-Smith, Neil Dvorak, Sara K White, Josh Bernhard, Jacques Lalo, Daniel Coletta Armonia takes the ride of the dynamic original piano concerto “Armonia Degli Uccelli,” and marries it to a universally accessible animation, to produce a uniquely layered spectacle of spatial storytelling.
Dreams of The Jaguar’s Daughter (World Premiere) – USA, Mexico Project Creator: Alfredo Salazar-Caro Key Collaborators: Genesis Mancheren Abaj, Prashast Thapan, Tarek Turkey Dreams Of The Jaguar‘s Daughter is a surreal VR documentary where Achik’, the spirit of a young Maya immigrant, guides the viewer through her memories of an arduous journey north.
Water Melts (World Premiere) – USA Project Creator: Lilian Mehrel, Mary Evangelista Key Collaborators: Ting Liu, Maya Edelman. Ariel Marx
A blue-hearted rom-com about people who are going to lose someone they love. Nobody knows what to say, so they bicker, laugh/cry, get married. It’s a romantic comedy, after all.
Tickets for the 2019 Tribeca Immersive Program
Tribeca Immersive takes place in the Tribeca Festival Hub located at Spring Studios – 50 Varick Street. Admission to presentations of the Virtual Arcade featuring Storyscapes is $40. Screening tickets for Tribeca Cinema360 screenings are $15. Tickets can be purchased online at tribecafilm.com/immersive beginning March 26 or by telephone at (646) 502-5296 or toll-free at (866) 941-FEST (3378).
Packages and passes are now available for purchase on the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival App, on:
About the Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, brings visionaries and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and online work. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment. The Festival champions emerging and established voices; discovers award-winning filmmakers and creators; curates innovative experiences; and introduces new technology and ideas through premieres, exhibitions, talks, and live performances.
The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Now in its 18th year, the Festival has evolved into a destination for creativity that reimagines the cinematic experience and explores how art can unite communities. The 18th annual edition will take place April 24 – May 5, 2019. www.tribecafilm.com/festival #Tribeca2019
About 2019 Tribeca Film Festival Partners
As Presenting Sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, AT&T is committed to supporting the Festival and the art of filmmaking through access and innovation, while expanding opportunities to diverse creators around the globe. AT&T helps millions connect to their passions – no matter where they are. This year, AT&T and Tribeca will once again collaborate to give the world access to stories from underrepresented filmmakers that deserve to be seen. “AT&T Presents Untold Stories” is an inclusive film program in collaboration with Tribeca – a multi-year, multi-tier alliance between AT&T and Tribeca along with the year-round nonprofit Tribeca Film Institute.
The Tribeca Film Festival is pleased to announce its 2019 Partners: 23andMe, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Bai Beverages, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), BVLGARI, CHANEL, Diageo, ESPN, IMDb, Kia, Merck, Montefiore, National CineMedia (NCM), Nespresso, New York Magazine, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Prime Video Direct, P&G, PwC, Spring Studios New York, Squarespace, and Status Sparkling Wine.
Margot Robbie in “Dreamland” (Photo by Ursula Coyote)
A diverse lineup of star-studded movies, films from up-and-coming creators and international offerings are among the feature-length films at the 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival, which will take place in New York City from April 24 to May 5, 2019. AT&T is the event’s presenting sponsor.
According to a festival press release, this year’s feature program includes 103 films from 124 filmmakers, and 81 of those films will have their world premieres at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. Women directed 50 percent of the movies that are in the competition this year to win Tribeca Film Festival prizes.
The Tribeca Film Festival (co-founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff) began in 2002 to help revitalize downtown Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks. Since then, this world-class festival has grown to include TV shows, virtual-reality projects and art installations.
Narrative feature films at the 2019 Tribeca Festival include those starring Terrence Howard (“Gully”), Margot Robbie (“Dreamland”) and Billy Crystal (“Standing Up, Falling Down”). Meanwhile, documentaries include those that tell the stories of Muhammad Ali, the 1969 Woodstock Festival, the student survivors of the Parkland massacre, fashion designer Halston, R&B singer D’Angelo, former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, rock band Sublime and disgraced auto executive John DeLorean.
Meanwhile, Oscar-winning actors Christoph Waltz and Jared Leto have directed movies that will have their world premieres at the festival. Waltz’s drama “Georgetown” also stars Annette Bening and Vanessa Redgrave. Leto’s “A Day in the Life of America” is a documentary showing slices of American life that were filmed on July 4, 2017.
New this year, the festival will introduce Tribeca Critics’ Week, a block of programming that showcases movies selected by New York City-based film critics. There is also a programming section called “This Used To Be New York,” which spotlights culture that is unique to New York City.
Filmmakers and cast members usually attend the festival for Q&As after the premieres. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Chelsea Manning and “Drag Race All-Stars” Season 4 champ Trixie Mattel are among the documentary subjects who have been announced to do Q&As this year as part of the festival’s Movies Plus program. In addition, Sheryl Crow will perform Linda Ronstadt songs after the premiere of the documentary “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.” Ken Boothe will perform after the premiere of the reggae documentary “Inna D Yard” and the San Francisco Gay Men Chorus” will take the stage after the premiere of the documentary “Gay Chorus Deep South.”
As previously reported, the documentary “The Apollo” (about Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater) is the festival’s opening-night film.
The festival has also announced that there will be a special 35th anniversary screening and reunion Q&A for “This Is Spinal Tap” and a special 25th anniversary screening and reunion Q&A for “Reality Bites.”
Ticket packages and passes are now on sale, while single tickets for events at the Beacon Theatre go on sale March 19, and single tickets for festival screenings and events at all other locations go on sale March 26. Purchases can be made online, or by calling (646) 502-5296 or (866) 941-3378.
Here is the list of announced feature-length films that will be at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. (All movie descriptions are provided courtesy of the festival.)
U.S. NARRATIVE COMPETITION
“Blow the Man Down” (Photo by Jeong “JP” Park)
Tribeca’s U.S. Narrative Competition showcases extraordinary work from breakout independent voices and distinguished filmmaking talent. These 10 world premieres will vie for the Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, and Best Actress. Last year, the award for Best Narrative Feature went to Kent Jones’ Diane while Jeffrey Wright was awarded Best Actor for his role in O.G. Other previous films from this section include Reed Morano’s Meadowland (2015), Ingrid Jungermann’s Women Who Kill (2016), and Nia DaCosta’s Little Woods (2018).
Blow the Man Down, directed and written by Danielle Krudy, Bridget Savage Cole. Produced by Drew Houpt, Alex Scharfman, Tim Headington, Lia Buman. (USA) – World Premiere. While grieving for the loss of their mother, the Connolly Sisters suddenly find they have a crime to cover up, leading them deep into the underbelly of their salty Maine fishing village. With Morgan Saylor, Sophie Lowe, Margo Martindale, June Squibb, Annette O’Toole, Marceline Hugot.
Burning Cane, directed and written by Phillip Youmans. Produced by Wendell Pierce, Mose Mayer, Ojo Akinlana, Karen Kaia Livers, Cassandra Youmans, Phillip Youmans. (USA) – World Premiere. Set among the cane fields of rural Louisiana, Burning Cane follows a deeply religious mother struggling to reconcile her convictions of faith with the love she has for her troubled son. With Wendell Pierce, Karen Kaia Livers, Dominique McClellan, Braelyn Kelly.
Clementine, directed and written by Lara Jean Gallagher. Produced by Aimee Lynn Barneburg, Davis Priestley, Karina Ripper, Kim Bailey and Isabel Marden. (USA) – World Premiere. Reeling from a one-sided breakup, heartbroken Karen breaks into her ex’s lakehouse. There, she strikes up a complicated relationship with provocative younger woman Lana in this beautifully rendered psychological drama and sexual coming of age story. With Otmara Marrero, Sydney Sweeney, Will Brittain, Sonya Walger.
Gully, directed by Nabil Elderkin, written by Marcus Guillory. Produced by Brad Feinstein, Tom Butterfield, Ben Pugh, Corey Smyth, Alex Georgio. (USA) – World Premiere. After surviving traumatic childhoods and socioeconomic hardships, three disillusioned teens reach their breaking points and go on a rampage through a dystopian modern day Los Angeles. With Terrence Howard, Amber Heard, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Charlie Plummer, Jacob Latimore, Jonathan Majors, John Corbett, Robin Givens.
Initials SG (Iniciales SG), directed and written by Rania Attieh, Daniel Garcia. Produced by Ivan Eibuszyc, Shruti Ganguly, Georges Schoucair. (Argentina, Lebanon, USA) – World Premiere. An aging Argentine Serge Gainsbourg wannabe struggles with a career he can’t seem to get on track, an affair he doesn’t want, and a crime he didn’t mean to commit. With Diego Peretti, Julianne Nicholson, Daniel Fanego, Malena Sanchez, Francisco Lumerman.
Low Tide, directed and written by Kevin McMullin. Produced by Brendan McHugh, Kevin Rowe, Richard Peete, Rian Cahill, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones. (USA) – World Premiere. Alan, Red, and Smitty spend high summer on the Jersey Shore roving the boardwalk and getting into trouble. But the discovery of good old fashioned treasure sets the friends on an escalating course of suspicion and violence in this atmospheric thriller. With Keean Johnson, Jaeden Lieberher, Alex Neustaedter, Daniel Zolghadri, Kristine Froseth, Shea Whigham.
The Place of No Words, directed and written by Mark Webber. Produced by Dustin Hughes, Teresa Palmer, Mark Webber. (UK, USA, Australia) – World Premiere. A three year old asks his father an unanswerable question: “Where do we go when we die?” Together, they embark on an epic journey of fantasy realms and mythical creatures in a quest for the answer. With Mark Webber, Teresa Palmer, Bodhi Palmer, Nicole Elizabeth Berger, Eric Olsen, Sarah Wright, Phoebe Tonkin.
The Short History of the Long Road, directed and written by Ani Simon-Kennedy. Produced by Kishori Rajan, Eddie Rubin, Darren Dean, Cailin Yatsko, Ani Simon-Kennedy, Bettina Kadoorie, Dominique Telson. (USA) – World Premiere. For teenage Nola, home is the open road with her self-reliant father and their trusty van, two nomads against the world. When Nola’s rootless existence is turned upside-down, she realizes that life as an outsider might not be her only choice. With Sabrina Carpenter, Steven Ogg, Danny Trejo, Maggie Siff, Rusty Schwimmer.
Stray Dolls, directed by Sonejuhi Sinha, written by Sonejuhi Sinha, Charlotte Rabate. Produced by Charlotte Rabate, Sonejuhi Sinha, Edward Parks. (USA) – World Premiere. Riz is a recent South Asian immigrant who takes a job at a seedy motel in a bid to start over in America. The motel’s other employees and guests pull her back into a life she preferred to leave behind. With Geetanjali Thapa, Olivia DeJonge, Robert Aramayo, Cynthia Nixon.
Swallow, directed and written by Carlo Mirabella-Davis. Produced by Mollye Asher, Mynette Louie, Carole Baraton, Frederic Fiore. (USA) – World Premiere. Hunter, a newly pregnant housewife, finds herself increasingly compelled to consume dangerous objects. As her husband and his family tighten their control over her life, she must confront the dark secret behind her new obsession. With Haley Bennett, Austin Stowell, Elizabeth Marvel, David Rasche and Denis O’Hare.
DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
“17 Blocks” (Photo by Davy Busta)
In step with last year, every title in Tribeca’s esteemed documentary competition will make their world premiere at the Festival. Over Tribeca’s 18-year history, the nonfiction film selections have exhibited work from emerging and renowned filmmakers, including future Oscar winners. This year’s films will compete for Best Documentary Feature, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing. Past films include Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing’s Oscar® nominated Jesus Camp (2006), Alex Gibney’s Oscar® winner Taxi to the Dark Side (2007), Lee Hirsch’s Bully (2011), Alma Har’el’s Bombay Beach (2011), Orlando von Einsiedel’s Oscar® nominated Virunga (2014), David France’s The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2018) and Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown’s United Skates (2018).
17 Blocks, directed by Davy Rothbart, written by Jennifer Tiexiera. Produced by Alex Turtletaub, Michael B. Clark, Marc Turtletaub, Rachel Dengiz, Davy Rothbart. (USA) – World Premiere. Using two decades of intimate home video, 17 Blocks tells the story of the Sanford family, whose struggles with addiction and gun violence eventually lead to a journey of love, loss, and acceptance.
The Dog Doc, directed by Cindy Meehl. Produced by Alice Henty, Cindy Meehl. (USA) – World Premiere. Called a maverick, a miracle-worker, and a quack, Dr. Marty Goldstein is a pioneer of integrative veterinary medicine. By holistically treating animals after other vets have given up, Goldstein provides a last hope for pet owners with nothing left to lose.
For They Know Not What They Do, directed by Daniel Karslake, written by Nancy Kennedy, Daniel Karslake. Produced by Daniel Karslake, Sheri Heitker, Barbara Simon. (USA) – World Premiere. When the Supreme Court legalized marriage equality, the backlash by the religious right was swift, severe, and successful. Karslake’s documentary looks at four faith-based families with LGBTQ children caught in the crosshairs of sexuality, identity, and scripture.
Leftover Women, directed, written, and produced by Shosh Shlam, Hilla Medalia. (Israel) – World Premiere. In China, single women are under immense pressure to marry young or face the stigma that comes with being “leftover.” Through marriage markets, matchmakers, and government-sponsored dating festivals, Leftover Women follows three hopeful singles seeking to define love on their own terms.
Mystify: Michael Hutchence, directed and written by Richard Lowenstein. Produced by Maya Gnyp, John Battsek, Sue Murray, Mark Fennessy, Richard Lowenstein, Lynn-Maree Milburn, Andrew de Groot. (Australia) – World Premiere. Michael Hutchence was flying high as the lead singer of the legendary rock band INXS until his untimely death in 1997. Richard Lowenstein’s kinetic yet intimate documentary examines Hutchence’s deeply felt life through his many loves and demons. With Kylie Minogue, Helena Christensen.
Our Time Machine, directed by Yang Sun, S. Leo Chiang, written by S. Leo Chiang, Bob Lee. Produced by S. Leo Chiang, Yang Sun. (China) – World Premiere. Conceptual artist and puppeteer Ma Liang begins work on an ambitious performance piece about time and memory. For collaboration, he turns to his father, a former director of the Shanghai Chinese Opera, who is beginning to lose his own memories. TFI Supported.
Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project, directed by Matt Wolf. Produced by Kyle Martin, Andrew Kortschak, Walter Kortschak. (USA) – World Premiere. Beginning in the 1970s, Marion Stokes recorded an incredible 70,000 VHS tapes of unfiltered daily television. At the time, her compulsion raised eyebrows, but revisited through the lens of today’s media landscape, Stokes’ unusual life’s work becomes an extraordinary archive of television—and American—history.
Rewind, directed by Sasha Joseph Neulinger. Produced by Thomas Winston. (USA) – World Premiere. Rewind is an unflinching personal narrative that reconstructs the unthinkable story of director Sasha Joseph Neulinger’s boyhood and bravely exposes the dynamics of abuse passed through generations.
Scheme Birds, directed and written by Ellen Fiske, Ellinor Hallin. Produced by Mario Adamson, Ruth Reid. (Scotland, Sweden) – World Premiere. As her childhood turns into motherhood, teenage troublemaker Gemma comes of age in her fading Scottish steel town. But in a place where “you either get knocked up or locked up,” innocent games can easily turn into serious crime.
Seahorse, directed and written by Jeanie Finlay. Produced by Andrea Cornwell, Jeanie Finlay. (UK) – World Premiere. Director Jeanie Finlay charts a transgender man’s path to parenthood after he decides to carry his child himself. The pregnancy prompts an unexpected and profound reckoning with conventions of masculinity, self-definition and biology.
Watson, directed by Lesley Chilcott. Producers: Louise Runge, Lesley Chilcott, Wolfgang Knöpfler. . (USA, Costa Rica, Tonga) – World Premiere. Co-founder of Greenpeace and founder of Sea Shepherd, Captain Paul Watson has spent 40 years fighting to end the destruction of the ocean’s wildlife and its habitat. Part pirate, part philosopher, Watson’s methods stop at nothing to protect what lies beneath.
A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem, directed by Yu Gu, written by Elizabeth Ai. Produced by Yu Gu, Elizabeth Ai. (USA, UK) – World Premiere. Football and feminism collide in this documentary that follows former NFL cheerleaders battling the league to end wage theft and illegal employment practices that have persisted for 50 years. Also playing as part of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival.
INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE COMPETITION
“Aamis” (Photo by Dolee Talukdar)
The New-York based festival breaks its geographical boundaries with the International Narrative Competition, welcoming filmmakers from abroad to join a global platform for contemporary world cinema. These films will compete for Best Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, and Best Actress. Previous films includeTomas Alfredson’s Let the Right One In (2008), Kim Nguyen’s War Witch (2012),Felix Van Groeningen’s Broken Circle Breakdown (2013), Petra Volpe’s The Divine Order (2017), Karen Gillan’s The Party’s Just Beginning (2018), andIoana Uricaru’s Lemonade (2018).
Aamis, directed and written by Bhaskar Hazarika. Produced by Poonam Deol, Shyam Bora. (India) – World Premiere. Married Niri shares a forbidden passion with Sumon, who introduces her to a world of fresh, wild, meat-based delicacies. But as their unconsummated desire mounts, the two are pushed inexorably towards transgression and taboo. With Lima Das, Arghadeep Baruah, Neetali Das, Sagar Saurabh.
Flawless (Haneshef), directed and written by Sharon Maymon, Tal Granit. Produced by Osnat Handelsman Keren, Talia Kleinhendler, Moshe Edery, Leon Edery, Thanassis Karathanos, Martin Hampel. (Israel, Germany) – World Premiere. Three teenage girls in search of physical perfection are drawn down a dark path of black-market plastic surgery, an impulsive adventure that ultimately becomes a journey of self-discovery. With Stav Strashko, Netsanet Zenaneh Mekonnen, Noam Lugasy, Arad Triffon Reshef, Niv Sultan, Asi Levy.
Flesh Out, directed by Michela Occhipinti, written by Michela Occhipinti, Simona Coppini. Produced by Marta Donzelli, Gregorio Paonessa. (Italy) – North American Premiere. Following the announcement of her impending arranged marriage, young Mauritanian woman Verida faces the suffocating pressure of gavage—the traditional process of over-eating to attain a more desired figure for her husband. With Verida Beitta, Ahmed Deiche, Amal Saad Bouh Oumar, Aminetou Souleimane, Sidi Mohamed Chinghaly.
The Gasoline Thieves (Huachicolero), directed by Edgar Nito, written by Alfredo Mendoza, Edgar Nito. Produced by Victor Leycegui, Annick Mahnert, Joshua Sobel. (Mexico, Spain, UK, USA) – World Premiere. Propelled by a need for cash to impress a crush, 14-year-old Mexican farmhand Lalo finds himself dangerously in over his head after entering into the country’s underworld of illegal gasoline extraction. With Eduardo Banda, Pedro Joaquin, Regina Reynoso, Fernando Becerril, Pascacio López, Leonardo Alonso.
House of Hummingbird (Beol-sae), directed and written by Bora Kim. Produced by Zoe Sua Cho, Bora Kim. (South Korea, USA) – North American Premiere. In 1994 Seoul, quiet eighth-grader Eunhee spends her time consumed by love and friendship, shoplifting, and karaoke. But it’s in her new teacher that Eunhee finds the unlikely connection that she has been desperately seeking in this touching coming-of-age drama. With Jihu Park, Saebyuk Kim, Seungyeon Lee, Ingi Jeong.
Noah Land (Nuh Tepesi), directed and written by Cenk Erturk. Produced by Alp Erturk, Sevki Tuna Erturk, Cenk Erturk. (Germany, Turkey, USA) – World Premiere. A son strives to honor his terminally ill father’s last wish to be buried under a tree he planted as a child, but clashes with villagers who claim the tree is in fact a holy relic planted by Noah after the Great Flood. With Ali Atay, Haluk Bilginer, Arin Kusaksizoglu, Mehmet Ozgur, Hande Dogandemir.
A Regular Woman (Nur Eine Frau), directed by Sherry Hormann, written by Florian Oeller. Produced by Sandra Maischberger. (Germany) – World Premiere. Based on real-life events, A Regular Woman gives a voice to Hatun “Aynur” Sürücü, a Turkish-Kurdish woman living in Berlin with her young son, who was the victim of an honor killing by her brother at the age of 23. With Almila Bagriacik, Rauand Taleb, Aram Arami, Meral Perin, Mehmet Ateşçi, Mürtüz Yolcu, Merve Aksoy, Armin Wahedi.
Roads, directed by Sebastian Schipper, written by Sebastian Schipper, Oliver Ziegenbalg. Produced by David Keitsch. (Germany) – International Premiere. An unlikely pair of teenage loners hit the road in an impromptu border-crossing adventure in this cross-cultural road movie from the breakout director of Victoria. With Fionn Whitehead, Stéphane Bak, Moritz Bleibtreu.
Run, directed and written by Scott Graham. Produced by Margaret Matheson, Ciara Barry, Rosie Crerar. (UK) – World Premiere. In the Northern Scottish town of Fraserburgh, young men dream of escapism through late-night drag races. Finnie used to be one such lad, but now he works at the fish factory and it’s his son’s turn to dream and race. Until one night when Finnie steals the boy’s car for one last joyride. With Mark Stanley, Marli Siu, Amy Manson, Anders Hayward.
White As Snow (Blanche Comme Neige), directed by Anne Fontaine, written by Anne Fontaine, Pascal Bonitzer. Produced by Eric Altmayer, Nicolas Altmayer, Philippe Carcassonne. (France) – International Premiere. Prolific French filmmaker Anne Fontaine recasts the tale of Snow White as the story of a sheltered young woman’s sexual awakening in this racy feminist fable. With Lou de Laâge, Isabelle Huppert, Damien Bonnard, Vincent Macaigne, Benoît Poelvoorde, Charles Berling.
SPOTLIGHT NARRATIVE
“American Woman” (Photo by Ken Woroner)
Anticipated premieres from acclaimed filmmakers and performers are the focus of the Spotlight Narrative section which continues to be a launching pad for compelling stories. Past films from this section include Jeff Nichols’ Shotgun Stories (2007), Steven Soderbergh’s The Girlfriend Experience (2009), Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado’’s Big Bad Wolves (2013), Azazel Jacobs’ The Lovers (2017), Julie Delpy’s 2 Days in Paris (2007) and Robert Budreau’s Stockholm (2018).
American Woman, directed and written by Semi Chellas. Produced by Christina Piovesan, Pamela Koffler, Semi Chellas, Noah Segal. (Canada) – World Premiere. Inspired by the headline-dominating kidnapping of heiress Patty Hearst in 1974, this atmospheric drama is a fictionalized reimagining of her time in hiding, from the perspective of Jenny, a political activist assigned to take care of her. With Hong Chau, Sarah Gadon, Lola Kirke, John Gallagher Jr., Ellen Burstyn, David Cubitt.
Buffaloed, directed by Tanya Wexler, written by Brian Sacca. Produced by Mason Novick, John Finemore, Bannor Michael MacGregor, Jeffrey Katz, Zoey Deutch, Brian Sacca. (USA) – World Premiere. Tribeca alum Tanya Wexler returns with a raucous comedy starring Zoey Deutch in a go-for-broke performance that tracks one woman finding her calling in an ethically debatable industry: debt collecting. With Zoey Deutch, Judy Greer, Jermaine Fowler, Jai Courtney.
Charlie Says, directed by Mary Harron, written by Guinevere Turner. Produced by Cindi Rice, Jeremy M. Rosen, John Frank Rosenblum, Dana Guerin. (USA) – North American Premiere. Charlie Says, directed by masterful filmmaker Mary Harron, tells the Charles Manson story through the fresh eyes of his most devoted followers: Leslie van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Susan Atkins. With Suki Waterhouse, Hannah Murray, Matt Smith, Annabeth Gish, Merritt Wever, Chace Crawford. An IFC Films release.
Crown Vic, directed and written by Joel Souza. Produced by Anjul Nigam, Gregg Bello, Alec Baldwin, Maxx Tsai. (USA) – World Premiere. Over the course of a single night, two police officers at opposite ends of their careers find themselves thrust into a violent hunt for two cop killers on the loose in the Olympic Division of Los Angeles. With Thomas Jane, Luke Kleintank, Gregg Bello, Josh Hopkins, David Krumholtz, Bridget Moynahan.
Dreamland, directed by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, written by Nicolaas Zwart. Produced by Brad Feinstein, Margot Robbie, Josey McNamara, Tom Ackerley, Rian Cahill, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones. (USA) – World Premiere. Amid the dust storms and economic depression of Dustbowl Era Texas, Eugene Evans finds his family farm on the brink of foreclosure. His last bet to save the farm is the bounty on the head of fugitive bank robber Allison Wells. With Margot Robbie, Finn Cole, Travis Fimmel, Kerry Condon, Garrett Hedlund, Darby Camp.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, directed by Joe Berlinger, written by Michael Werwie. Produced by Michael Costigan, Nicolas Chartier, Ara Keshishian, Michael Simkin, Joe Berlinger. (USA) – New York Premiere. A chronicle of the crimes of Ted Bundy from the perspective of Liz, his longtime girlfriend, who refused to believe the truth about him for years. With Zac Efron, Lily Collins, Kaya Scodelario, Jeffrey Donovan, Angela Sarafyan, Dylan Baker, Brian Geraghty, Jim Parsons, and John Malkovich.
Georgetown, directed by Christoph Waltz, written by David Auburn. Produced by Brad Feinstein, Andrew Levitas, David Gerson, John Cheng, Brett Ratner. (USA) – World Premiere. Eccentric social climber Ulrich Mott throws lavish parties with his much-older wife, Elsa, in the tony Washington D.C. neighborhood. But when her daughter starts asking questions, Ulrich must mount an increasingly elaborate charade to conceal his skeletons and convince everyone of his innocence. With Christoph Waltz, Annette Bening, Vanessa Redgrave, Corey Hawkins.
Good Posture, directed and written by Dolly Wells. Produced by Jamie Adams, Maggie Monteith. (UK, USA) – World Premiere. Adrift, unmotivated, and only slightly spoiled, Lilian has been pawned off on family friends in Brooklyn, New York, one of whom is a famous, and famously aloof, writer. Lilian decides to make a documentary—unauthorized, of course—about her hermit housemate. With Grace Van Patten, Emily Mortimer, Timm Sharp, John Early, Gary Richardson, Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
The Kill Team, directed and written by Dan Krauss. Produced by Adrián Guerra, Isaac Klausner, Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey. (USA) – World Premiere. Based on the 2013 Tribeca-winning and Independent Spirit Award winning documentary, TheKill Team dramatizes the true story of Private Andrew Briggman, an infantryman in Afghanistan who is swept up in a conspiracy of violence against civilians perpetrated by his own platoon. With Nat Wolff, Alexander Skarsgård, Adam Long, Jonathan Whitesell, Brian “Sene” Marc, Rob Morrow. An A24 release.
Lost Transmissions, directed and written by Katharine O’Brien. Produced by Filip Jan Rymsza, Tory Lenosky, Al Di, Olga Kagan. (USA) – World Premiere. After famed record producer Theo Ross goes off his schizophrenia meds, introverted songwriter Hannah dedicates herself to getting him the help he needs, perhaps at the cost of her own dreams. With Simon Pegg, Juno Temple, Alexandra Daddario, Tao Okamoto, Bria Vinaite, Robert Schwartzman.
Only, directed and written by Takashi Doscher. Produced by Eyal Rimmon, Gabrielle Pickle. (USA) – World Premiere. After the onset of a mysterious plague that affects only females, Eva may be the only woman left on Earth. Longing for freedom after months of secret quarantine, she and her partner Will venture out into the unknown. With Freida Pinto, Leslie Odom Jr., Chandler Riggs, Jayson Warner Smith, Tia Hendricks.
Plus One, directed and written by Jeff Chan, Andrew Rhymer. Produced by Jeremy Reitz, Debbie Liebling, Ross Putman, Jeff Chan, Andrew Rhymer, Greg Beauchamp. (USA) – World Premiere. In order to survive a summer of wedding fever, longtime single friends Ben and Alice agree to be each other’s plus one at every goddamn wedding they’re invited to. With Maya Erskine, Jack Quaid, Ed Begley Jr., Rosalind Chao, Beck Bennett, Finn Wittrock.
Safe Spaces, directed and written by Daniel Schechter. Produced by Courtenay Johnson, Lawrence Greenberg, Jordan Kessler. (USA) – World Premiere. A young professor faces criticism over a classroom controversy while grappling with his beloved grandmother’s serious illness. The sharp comedy explores how people face modern crises, both real and self-inflicted. With Justin Long, Kate Berlant, Lynn Cohen, Michael Godere, Richard Schiff, Becky Ann Baker, Fran Drescher.
Skin, directed and written by Guy Nattiv. Produced by Oren Moverman, Jaime Ray Newman, Celine Rattray, Trudie Styler, Dillon D. Jordan. (USA) – US Premiere. Adapted from his Academy Award® -winning short film of the same name, Guy Nattiv traces the true story of Bryon Widner, a white supremacist who begins a path to redemption through a romance with a single mother intent on keeping her children out of the movement. With Jamie Bell, Danielle Macdonald, Daniel Henshall, Bill Camp, Mike Colter, Mary Stuart Masterson, Vera Farmiga. An A24 and DirecTV release.
Standing Up, Falling Down, directed by Matt Ratner, written by Peter Hoare. Produced by Chris Mangano, Matt Ratner, Rick Rosenthal, John Hermann, Gabrielle Nadig. (USA) – World Premiere. An unlikely, multigenerational friendship between a failed comedian and a charming, alcoholic dermatologist helps both confront long-simmering regrets in this warm-hearted buddy comedy. With Billy Crystal, Ben Schwartz, Eloise Mumford, Grace Gummer, Nate Corddry, Debra Monk, Kevin Dunn.
SPOTLIGHT DOCUMENTARY
“After Parkland” (Photo by Evan Simon)
Documentaries consistently make waves at Tribeca as notable filmmakers and major stories are represented in this section through high-profile premieres. Past documentaries include Chiemi Karasawa’s Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me (2013), Jon Greenhalgh’s Team Foxcatcher (2016), Dan Lindsay’s and TJ Martin’s LA 92 (2017), Norah Shapiro’s Time For Ilhan (2018) and Ian Bonhôte’s McQueen (2018).
After Parkland, directed and written by Emily Taguchi, Jake Lefferman. Produced by Emily Taguchi, Jake Lefferman, Jeanmarie Condon, Steven Baker. (USA) – World Premiere. In the immediate aftermath of the devastating 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, filmmakers embedded with students and parents whose lives were forever changed—from quiet hours of grief and reflection to those of political awakening.
At the Heart of Gold, directed and written by Erin Lee Carr. Produced by Dr. Steven Ungerleider, David Ulich. (USA) – World Premiere. In 2016, USA Gymnastics was rocked by the revelation that national team doctor Larry Nassar had been abusing young athletes for decades. Tribeca alum Erin Lee Carr’s unflinching documentary unpacks the scandal, its coverup, and aftermath, while giving voice to the survivors. An HBO Documentary Film.
Devil’s Pie – D’Angelo, directed and written by Carine Bijlsma. Produced by Mira Mendel, René Mendel, Julia Nottingham, Thomas Benski, Lucas Ochoa, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Forest Whitaker. (Netherlands, UK, USA) – World Premiere. Acclaimed R&B artist D’Angelo was on the precipice of super-stardom when he disappeared entirely from the public eye in 2000. Now preparing a comeback tour, Bijlsma’s film finds D’Angelo at a crossroads between a haunted past and uncertain future.
Dominican Dream, directed by Jonathan Hock. Produced by Phil Aromando, Alex Evans. (USA) – World Premiere. In the early 1990s, the future of basketball belonged to a young Dominican immigrant named Felipe Lopez. Featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 17, Lopez’s story is the ultimate profile of the American dream. An ESPN release. Also playing as part of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival.
Framing John DeLorean, directed by Don Argott & Sheena M. Joyce, written by Dan Greeney & Alexandra Orton for Narrative Scenes. Produced by Tamir Ardon, Nick Spicer, Don Argott, Sheena M. Joyce. (USA) – World Premiere. The success of infamous auto executive/playboy John DeLorean made his name synonymous with his iconic design. But he and his company crashed in the ‘80s amid mismanagement, corruption, and a controversial coke bust. With Alec Baldwin, Josh Charles, Morena Baccarin, Dean Winters, Michael Rispoli, Jason Jones. A Sundance Selects release.
Halston, directed and written by Frédéric Tcheng. Produced by Roland Ballester, Frédéric Tcheng, Stephanie Levy, Paul Dallas. (USA) – New York Premiere. From Jackie Kennedy to Studio 54, Halston’s minimalist designs put American fashion on the map in the 1970s. Tribeca alum Frédéric Tcheng examines the work and life of the enigmatic visionary who called himself Halston. With Tavi Gevinson, Cornelia Guest, Liza Minnelli, Marisa Berenson, Joel Schumacher, Pat Cleveland. A 1091 Media’s The Orchard and CNN release.
A Kid From Coney Island, directed and written by Chike Ozah & Coodie Simmons. Produced by Nina Yang Bongiovi, Forest Whitaker, Jason Samuels. (USA, China) – World Premiere. From the streets of Coney Island to the NBA, the story of basketball star Stephon Marbury reveals that often life is about the journey, not the destination—and the unexpected places your dreams may take you. Also playing as part of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival.
Lil’ Buck: Real Swan, directed and written by Louis Wallecan. Produced by Victor Lech, Crayton Jr. Armmer, Lil’ Buck, Nadim Cheikhouha, Machine Molle. (France, USA) – World Premiere. Dancer Lil’ Buck grew up jookin and bucking on the streets of Memphis. After a breathtaking video of him dancing to Camille Saint-Saëns’ “The Swan” accompanied by cellist Yo-Yo Ma went viral, everything changed.
Maiden, directed and written by Alex Holmes. Produced by Victoria Gregory, Alex Holmes. (UK) – New York Premiere. Every three years, The Whitbread Round the World Race tested the mettle of the most seasoned seamen in a grueling global sailing showdown, but even the most accomplished yachtsmen in the world weren’t prepared for 24-year-old Tracy Edwards and her all-female crew. A Sony Pictures Classic Release.
Nomad: In The Footsteps Of Bruce Chatwin, directed and written by Werner Herzog. Produced by BBC Studios. (UK) – World Premiere. When legendary writer Bruce Chatwin was dying of AIDS, his friend Werner Herzog made a final visit. As a parting gift, Chatwin gave Herzog his rucksack. Thirty years later, Herzog sets out on his own journey, inspired by Chatwin’s passion for the nomadic life.
Picture Character, directed by Martha Shane, Ian Cheney. Produced by Jennifer Lee, Ian Cheney, Martha Shane. (USA, Germany, Japan, Argentina, Austria, UK, Scotland) – World Premiere. Emojis are a worldwide phenomenon, with some arguing that these smiling poops and heart-eyed faces are on the verge of actually becoming their own language. But where do they come from? Who, if anyone, is in charge of this new global digital language?
The Quiet One, directed by Oliver Murray. Produced by Jennifer Corcoran, Jamie Clark. (UK) – World Premiere. As an original member of The Rolling Stones, bassist Bill Wyman has lived an extraordinary life. In this equally extraordinary film, he pulls back the curtain on the hours of unseen footage, personal photographs, and vast archive of memorabilia he has amassed. An IFC Films release.
Sublime, directed by Bill Guttentag, written by Bill Guttentag & Nayeema Raza. Produced by Bill Guttentag, Nayeema Raza, Terry Leonard, Dave Kaplan, Peter Paterno. (USA) – World Premiere. Iconic California band Sublime fused reggae, punk, ska, dub, and hip-hip into a genre-defying new sound that electrified audiences and airways in the mid-1990s. This definitive documentary charts their meteoric rise, tragic end, and lasting legacy.
A Taste of Sky, directed by Michael Yuchen Lei. Produced by Andrew F. Renzi. (USA, Bolivia, Denmark) – World Premiere. A Taste of Sky delicately details the journey of two students from Gustu, the groundbreaking cooking school and fine-dining restaurant founded by Noma’s Claus Meyer in La Paz, Bolivia. With Kenzo Hirose, Claus Meyer, Maria Claudia Chura.
What’s My Name | Muhammad Ali, directed by Antoine Fuqua.. Produced by Sean Stuart. (USA) – World Premiere. One of the most iconic figures in athletic history, Muhammad Ali’s incredible story from world champion boxer to inspiring social activist is explored through his own voice and never-before-seen archival material by acclaimed filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, with executive producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter. An HBO Sports release.
Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation, directed by Barak Goodman, written by Barak Goodman, Don Kleszy. Produced by Barak Goodman, Jamila Ephron, Mark Samels. (USA) – World Premiere. 50 years after the legendary fest, this electric retelling of Woodstock, from the point of view of those who were on the ground, evokes the freedom, passion, community, and joy the three-day music festival created.
VIEWPOINTS
“37 Seconds” (Photo courtesy of Knock on Wood)
Viewpoints, which includes narratives and documentaries, recognizes distinct voices in independent filmmaking by creating a home for bold directorial visions and embracing distinct characters or points of view. Past world premieres include Damien Chazelle’s Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench (2009), Felix Thompson’s King Jack (2015), Marc Meyers’ My Friend Dahmer (2017), Marilyn Ness’ Charm City (2018), and Theo Love’s The Legend of Cocaine Island (2018).
37 Seconds, directed and written by HIKARI. Produced by Shin Yamaguchi, HIKARI. (Japan, Thailand) – North American Premiere, Feature Narrative. A breakout performance from Mei Kayama anchors Hikari’s reflective debut feature, in which a 23-year-old manga artist with cerebral palsy seeks physical, creative, and romantic autonomy. With Mei Kayama, Misuzu Kanno, Shunsuke Daito, Makiko Watanabe, Yoshihiko Kumashino, Yuka Itaya.
All I Can Say, directed by Danny Clinch, Taryn Gould, Colleen Hennessy, Shannon Hoon. Produced by Lindha Narvaez, Sam Gursky, Taryn Gould. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. All I Can Say is both an archive of 90’s culture and a philosophical study of fame via the intimate video-diary of Shannon Hoon, the late lead singer of alt-rock band Blind Melon. With Shannon Hoon, Lisa Sinha, Christopher Thorn, Brad Smith, Rogers Stevens, Glen Graham.
Changing the Game, directed by Michael Barnett, written by Michael Barnett, Michael Mahaffie. Produced by Clare Tucker, Alex Schmider. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Transgender high school athletes from across the country compete at the top of their fields, while also challenging the boundaries and perceptions of fairness and discrimination. With Mack Beggs, Sarah Rose Huckman, Andraya Yearwood. Also playing as part of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival.
Circus of Books, directed and written by Rachel Mason. Produced by Rachel Mason, Kathryn Robson, Cynthia Childs, Adam Baran. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. How do you explain to your friends that your mom and pop run a gay pornography shop? That is just one question asked in this playful documentary about the titular LA store and its unlikely proprietors. With Larry Flynt, Justin Honard (aka Alaska Thunderfuck), Jeff Stryker.
CRSHD, directed and written by Emily Cohn. Produced by Emily Cohn, Jennifer George, Abby Pucker, Barrett Rouen. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Narrative. Best friends Izzy, Anuka, and Fiona have a pact to lose their virginity before the summer break. They pin their hopes on getting into their college’s super exclusive “crush party.” With Isabelle Barbier, Deeksha Ketkar, Sadie Scott, Will Janowitz, L.H. González, Abdul Seidu.
A Day in the Life of America, directed by Jared Leto. Produced by Jared Leto, Emma Ludbrook. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Filmed in all 50 states over the course of a single Fourth of July, this collaborative documentary project explores our collective national beliefs, culminating in a vivid, contradictory, kaleidoscopic portrait of who we are as a nation.
Goldie, directed and written by Sam De Jong. Produced by Luca Borghese, Ben Howe. (USA) – North American Premiere, Feature Narrative. Goldie takes care of her sisters while their mom is in prison, but her true dream is stardom. With child protective services looming and a real music video shoot on the horizon, Goldie’s last option is to make her dreams come true or lose it all in Sam de Jong’s stylish and gritty New York City fable. With Slick Woods, George Sample III, Danny Hoch, Khris Davis, Marsha Stephanie Blake, A$AP Ferg.
Lost Bayou, directed by Brian C. Miller Richard, written by Nick Lavin, Hunter Burke. Produced by Alicia Davis Johnson, Kenneth Reynolds, Brian C Miller Richard, Hunter Burke, Russell Blanchard, Murray Roth. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Narrative. In this hauntingly evocative southern gothic, a struggling addict returns home to the Louisiana bayou to reconnect with her father, only to discover he’s hiding a troubling secret aboard his houseboat. With Teri Wyble, Dane Rhodes, Deneen Tyler, Hunter Burke, Terence Rosemore, Jackson Beals.
Lucky Grandma (辛運的奶奶), directed by Sasie Sealy, written by Angela Cheng, Sasie Sealy. Produced by Cara Marcous, Krista Parris. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Narrative. Set in New York City’s Chinatown, the film follows an ornery, chain-smoking Chinese grandma who goes all in at the casino, landing herself on the wrong side of luck… and in the middle of a gang war. With Tsai Chin, Corey Ha, Michael Tow, Woody Fu, Wai Ching Ho, Clem Cheung. An AT&T release. TFI Supported.
One Child Nation, directed by Nanfu Wang, Jialing Zhang. Produced by Nanfu Wang, Jialing Zhang, Julie Goldman, Christoph Jörg, Christopher Clements, Carolyn Hepburn. (China, USA) – New York Premiere, Feature Documentary. A new mother returning to China reflects on the history of the country’s One Child Policy—a national family planning program established to prevent overpopulation, and tracks down both those who helped enforce and were affected by it, eliciting shocking testimonies. An Amazon Studios release.
Pearl, directed by Elsa Amiel, written by Elsa Amiel, Laurent Larivière. Produced by Bruno Nahon, Caroline Nataf. (France, Switzerland) – North American Premiere, Feature Narrative. Léa Pearl is set to compete in the final of the international female bodybuilding championship, Miss Heaven. Her plans are upended when her ex-lover shows up with the six-year-old son she left behind. With Julia Föri, Peter Mullan, Arieh Worthalter, Vidal Arzoni, Agata Buzek. Presented in partnership with Venice Days.
Plucked, directed by Joel Van Haren, written by Chris James Thompson, Joel Van Haren. Produced by Joel Van Haren, Chris James Thompson, Ryan Thomas Reeve, Kelly Michael Anderson. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. The classical music world is rocked when violinist Frank Almond is robbed of a Stradivarius violin worth over $6 million. As authorities try to beat the clock before the instrument disappears forever, their chase leads them to an unexpected suspect.
Red, White & Wasted, directed by Andrei Bowden-Schwartz & Sam B. Jones. Produced by Noah Lang. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Red, White & Wasted is an unapologetic immersion into Florida’s redneck mudding culture. Video Pat is a mudding enthusiast who must question his passion—and maybe his entire way of life—when the last mudhole in Orlando is shut down.
See You Yesterday, directed by Stefon Bristol, written by Stefon Bristol & Fredrica Bailey. Produced by Spike Lee, Jason Sokoloff, Matt Myers. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Narrative. Two Brooklyn teenage prodigies, C.J. Walker and Sebastian Thomas, build make-shift time machines to save C.J.’s brother, Calvin, from being wrongfully killed by a police officer.
Two/One, directed and written by Juan Cabral. Produced by Chris Clark, Flora Fernandez Marengo. (UK, China, Canada) – World Premiere, Feature Narrative. Kaden is a world-class ski jumper in Canada, pining for a lost love. Khai is a corporate executive in Shanghai, drawn to a new coworker with a secret. The two men go about their lives, without knowing that they are connected. With Boyd Holbrook, Song Yang, Beau Bridges.
What Will Become of Us, directed by Steven Cantor. Produced by Dani Drusin, Jamie Schutz, Nina Chaudry. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Sir Frank Lowy, the billionaire co-founder of Westfield Corporation, faces a dilemma: whether or not to sell his multinational company, his life’s work and legacy. Standing at a crossroads, Frank must look to his past to shape his perspective on this monumental decision.
Wild Rose, directed by Tom Harper. Written by Nicole Taylor. Produced by Faye Ward. (UK) – New York Premiere. Fresh out of jail, housekeeper-by-day, country-singer-by-night Rose-Lynn wears cowboy boots over her ankle monitor, letting loose at Glasgow’s own Grand Ole Opry, while dreaming of leaving it all behind for the big time in Nashville. With Jessie Buckley, Sophie Okonedo, and Julie Walters. A NEON release.
TRIBECA CRITICS’ WEEK
“American Factory” (Photo by Ian Cook)
The inaugural Tribeca Critics’ Week is a new section of the Festival with a curated slate of 5 feature films from New York-based film critics including Eric Kohn (IndieWire Chief Critic and Executive Editor), K. Austin Collins (Vanity Fair Film Critic), Bilge Ebiri (Film writer and critic, New York Magazine/Vulture), and Alison Willmore (BuzzFeedNews Critic and Culture Writer). Opening Night film for Tribeca Critics’ Week will be American Factory from directors Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert.
American Factory, directed by Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert. Produced by Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert, Jeff Reichert, Julie Parker Benello. (USA) – New York Premiere, Feature Documentary. The documentary is called American Factory, but that’s “American” with a wink: Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert’s stunning film explores the complex merging of cultures that arises when Chinese billionaire opens a factory in Dayton, Ohio. A Netflix release. Opening Night selection.
Driveways, directed by Andrew Ahn, written by Hannah Bos, Paul Thureen. Produced by Celine Rattray, Trudie Styler, James Schamus, Joe Pirro, Nicolaas Bertelsen. (USA) – North American Premiere, Feature Narrative. In this beautifully understated drama, a lonesome boy accompanies his mother on a trip to clean out his late aunt’s house, and ends up forming an unexpected friendship with the retiree who lives next door. With Hong Chau, Brian Dennehy, Lucas Jaye, Christine Ebersole, Jerry Adler.
In Fabric, directed and written by Peter Strickland. Produced by Andy Starke. (UK) – New York Premiere, Feature Narrative. British auteur Peter Strickland follows The Duke of Burgundy with a dazzling sensory overload of genre film pastiche in a fresh package: the dreamlike saga of a cursed scarlet dress that passes through the lives of several characters. Once again, Strickland unites disorienting cinematic trickery with deadpan comedy to astonishing results. With Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hayley Squires, Leo Bill, Julian Barratt, Steve Oram, Gwendoline Christie. An A24 release.
This Is Not Berlin (Esto no es Berlín), directed by Hari Sama, written by Rodrigo Ordóñez, Hari Sama, Max Zunino. Produced by Ale García, Antonio Urdapilleta, Charlotte Lerchner, Hari Sama. (Mexico) – New York Premiere, Feature Narrative. As World Cup fever hits Mexico in 1986, two middle class teens discover an underground culture of experimentation with sex, drugs, and art. This Is Not Berlin is a film that crosses narrative and formal boundaries with the same thrilling abandon that its characters do emotional and experiential ones. With Xabiani Ponce de León, José Antonio Toledano, Ximena Romo, Mauro Sánchez Navarro, Américo Hollander, Klaudia García, Marina de Tavira, Hari Sama, Lumi Cavazos, Juan Carlos Remolina.
The Weekend, directed and written by Stella Meghie. Produced by Stella Meghie, Stephanie Allain, Mel Jones, Sarah Lazow, James Gibb. (USA) – New York Premiere, Feature Narrative. A stand-up comic who’s been struggling to get over her ex finds herself instead awkwardly third-wheeling her way through a weekend getaway alongside him and his new girlfriend in this warm, wry comedy. With Sasheer Zamata, Tone Bell, DeWanda Wise, Kym Whitley and Y’lan Noel.
THIS USED TO BE NEW YORK
“Martha” (Photo by Dan Brinzac)
The City That Never Sleeps, The Big Apple, The Capital of the World. Many were drawn to this incredible city in search of community. And throughout its history, the city has embraced them all. Creative communities have emerged, flourished, and sometimes faded away. The arthouse cinemas of the 1970s, the graffiti movement of the 1980s, the indie music explosion of the 1990s: these three documentaries each harken back to a quintessential New York cultural moment and community that burned bright in NYC history, and what that legacy means for us, and our city, today.
Martha, directed and written by Selina Miles. Produced by Daniel Joyce. (Australia, USA, Germany, Brazil) – World Premiere. In 1970s New York, photographer Martha Cooper captured some of the first images of graffiti at a time when the city had declared war on this new artform. Decades later, Cooper has become an influential godmother to a global movement of street artists.
Other Music, directed and produced by Puloma Basu & Rob Hatch-Miller. (USA) – World Premiere. For 20 years, indie record store Other Music was a beloved and influential hub of independent music culture. Featuring Vampire Weekend, The Strokes, and Interpol, the film reminds us that the community and spirit of the much-loved destination will live on. With Ezra Koenig, Tunde Adebimpe, Matt Berninger, Jason Schwartzman, Regina Spektor, JD Samson.
The Projectionist, directed by Abel Ferrara. Produced by Christos V. Konstantakopoulos, Michael M. Bilandic, Joshua Blum, Katie Stern, Michael Weber. (Greece, USA) – World Premiere. In his first New York City-set documentary in nearly a decade, filmmaker and provocateur Abel Ferrara uses the experience of one longtime cinema owner to chart the vast changes to the city’s theatrical landscape. With Nicolas Nicolaou, Abel Ferrara.
MIDNIGHT
“Bliss” (Photo by Katie Cleese)
Tribeca’s Midnight section provides a space for fans to discover new projects in genre filmmaking. Past films include Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio’s Cropsey (2008), Ti West’s The House of the Devil (2009), Panos Cosmatos’ Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010), and Mickey Keating Psychopaths (2017).
Bliss, directed and written by Joe Begos. Produced by Joe Begos, Josh Ethier, Graham Skipper, Caroline Metz, Lyle Kanouse, Audrey Wasilewski. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Narrative. In need of creative inspiration, a professionally stagnant and hard-partying Los Angeles artist recklessly indulges in a series of drug binges. As the narcotics fly out of control, so does her newfound and inexplicable, yet unquenchable, craving for blood. With Dora Madison, Tru Collins, Rhys Wakefield, Jeremy Gardner, Graham Skipper, George Wendt.
Come To Daddy, directed by Ant Timpson, written by Toby Harvard. Produced by Mette-Marie Kongsved, Laura Tunstall, Daniel Bekerman, Katie Holly, Emma Slade. (USA, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland) – World Premiere, Feature Narrative. After receiving a cryptic letter from his estranged father, Norval travels to his dad’s oceanfront home for what he hopes will be a positive experience. If only he’d known the dark truth about his old man beforehand. With Elijah Wood, Stephen McHattie, Martin Donovan, Michael Smiley, Madeleine Sami, Simon Chin.
Knives and Skin, directed and written by Jennifer Reeder. Produced by Brian Hieggelke, Jan Hieggelke. (USA) – North American Premiere, Feature Narrative. In the rural midwestern town of Big River, the sudden disappearance of a teen girl drives the town’s small population into a surreal nightmare of fear, suspicion, and guilt. With Kate Arrington, Marika Engelhardt, Audrey Francis, Kayla Carter, Ireon Roach, and Grace Smith
Something Else, directed by Jeremy Gardner and Christian Stella, written by Jeremy Gardner. Produced by David Lawson Jr., Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Arvind Harinath. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Narrative. Dealing with a girlfriend suddenly leaving is tough enough. But for Hank, heartbreak couldn’t have come at a worse time. There’s also a monster trying to break through his front door every night. With Jeremy Gardner. Brea Grant, Henry Zebrowski, Justin Benson, Ashley Song, Nicola Masciotra.
You Don’t Nomi, directed and written by Jeffrey McHale. Produced by Jeffrey McHale, Ariana Garfinkel, Suzanne Zionts. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Released in 1995, Paul Verhoeven’s Showgirls was met by critics and audiences with near universal derision. You Don’t Nomi traces the film’s redemptive journey from notorious flop to cult classic, and maybe even masterpiece. With Peaches Christ, Jeffery Conway, April Kidwell, Haley Mlotek, Adam Nayman, David Schmader.
MOVIES PLUS
“Ask Dr. Ruth” (Photo courtesy of Hulu)
A Tribeca tradition, Movies Plus offers audiences the unique opportunity to continue the experience of a film through buzzworthy conversations or performances after each special screening. Past Movies Plus experiences have included a Broadway performance following Bathtubs Over Broadway (2018), Billie Joe Armstrong performing after Geezer (2016), Mary J. Blige performing after Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions (2015), a performance from Blue Note artists Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, and Kendrick Scott after Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes (2018), a special talk after Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017), and a talk with Hailey Baldwin, Paris Hilton, and more after The American Meme (2018).
Ask Dr. Ruth, directed by Ryan White. Produced by Rafael Marmor, Ryan White, Jessica Hargrove, Christopher Leggett. (USA) – New York Premiere, Feature Documentary. Plain-spoken and thickly accented, Dr. Ruth Westheimer became a household name in the 1980s by transforming the way Americans talk and think about sexuality. At 90, Dr. Ruth reflects on her life from Holocaust survivor to celebrity sex therapist. A Magnolia/Hulu release.
After the Premiere Screening: a conversation with director Ryan White and subject Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Moderated by Columbia University Film Professor Annette Insdorf.
Earth Break: A Few Suggestions for Survival, with Additional Hints and Tips About How to Make Yourself More Comfortable During the Alien Apocalypse, directed by Aaron Katz. Produced by April Lamb. (USA) – World Premiere, Podcast. What’s a girl to do when life as she knows it is upturned by a devastating alien invasion? Maybe record an audio diary of her daily survival strategy in this post-apocalyptic podcast from filmmaker Aaron Katz with Jenny Slate.
After the Premiere Screening: a conversation with director Aaron Katz and comedian, actor and author Jenny Slate.
Gay Chorus Deep South, directed by David Charles Rodrigues, written by David Charles Rodrigues, Jeff Gilbert. Produced by Bud Johnston, Jesse Moss. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. To confront a resurgence of anti-LGBTQ laws, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus embarks on an unprecedented bus tour through the Deep South, celebrating music, challenging intolerance, and confronting their own dark coming out stories. With The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Dr. Tim Seelig, Ashlé, Jimmy White.
After the Premiere Screening: a special performance by The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.
I AM HUMAN, directed, written, and produced by Taryn Southern, Elena Gaby. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Advancements in neurotechnology are revolutionizing what it means to be human. Following three subjects who undergo brain interface treatment, I AM HUMAN examines the ethical quandaries in brain exploration and the future of cognitive evolution.
After the Premiere Screening: a conversation with co-directors and producers Taryn Southern and Elena Gaby, neurotech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, neurosurgeon at Toronto Western Hospital Dr. Andres Lozano. Moderated by the CEO of Futurism Alex Klokus.
Inna De Yard, directed and written by Peter Webber. Produced by Gaël Nouaille, Laurent Flahault, Laurent Baudens. (France, Belgium) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. A joyous portrait of a group of pioneering reggae musicians, Inna De Yard captures the ongoing relevance of reggae and its social values, and the music’s passion to revitalize an older generation while passing it on to younger listeners. With Ken Boothe, Kiddus, Winston McAnuff, Cedric Myton, Judy Mowatt.
After the Premiere Screening: A special performance by reggae legend Ken Boothe.
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice, directed by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman. Produced by James Keach, Michele Farinola, Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. With one of the most memorably stunning voices that has ever hit the airwaves, Linda Ronstadt burst onto the 1960s folk rock music scene in her early twenties. A poignant bio-doc of a truly one-of-a-kind artist. With Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Don Henley, Aaron Neville, Dolly Parton, Bonnie Raitt. A CNN Films release.
After the Premiere Screening: A special performance from nine-time Grammy award winner and rock legend Sheryl Crow in celebration of Linda Ronstadt.
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound, directed by Midge Costin, written by Bobette Buster. Produced by Bobette Buster, Karen Johnson, Midge Costin. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. From Apocalypse Now’s helicopters to Star Wars’ lightsabers, sound design is one of cinema’s most essential creative elements, yet also one of its most overlooked. Making Waves explores the impact of movie sound through insight from cinema’s biggest directors and their go-to sonic collaborators. With Walter Murch, Ben Burtt, Gary Rydstrom, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand, Ryan Coogler.
After the Premiere Screening: A master class conversation with sound designers and editors from the film including OscarⓇ- winners Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom. Presented by The Dolby Institute.
The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion, directed by Lisa Cortés, Farah X. Produced by Lisa Cortés. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. The story of how hip hop changed fashion, leading to the stratospheric and global rise of street wear. It is a journey of African American creativity and the limitless possibilities of a cultural movement on a global scale. With Misa Hylton, April Walker, Dapper Dan, Kerby Jean-Raymond.
After the Premiere Screening: A special musical performance inspired by the film.
Slay the Dragon, directed and produced by Barak Goodman, Chris Durrance. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. It influences elections and sways outcomes—gerrymandering has become a hot-button political topic and symbol for everything broken about the American electoral process. But there are those on the front lines fighting to change the system.
After the Premiere Screening: a conversation with directors Barak Goodman and Chris Durance, subject Katie Fahey, Senior Reporter at Mother Jones and author of Give Us the Ballot Ari Berman.
Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts, directed and written by Nick Zeig-Owens. Produced by David Silver. (USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. With razor-sharp wit and authentic country music chops, Trixie Mattel charmed audiences and judges as winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. But the grind of performing and the pressure of the title proves that heavy is the head that wears the tiara.
After the Premiere Screening: a special performance by Drag Race All-Star Trixie Mattel.
XY Chelsea, directed by Tim Travers Hawkins, written by Mark Monroe. Produced by Julia Nottingham, Lucas Ochoa, Thomas Benski, Isabel Davis. (UK) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Following the shock commutation of her sentence, whistleblower and trans woman Chelsea Manning prepares to leave an all-male military prison in Kansas and transition to living life for the first time as a free woman. With Chelsea Manning, Nancy Hollander, Vince Ward, Chase Strange. A Showtime release.
After the Premiere Screening: a conversation with film subject Chelsea Manning, producer Isabel Davis, and director Tim Hawkins.
The ninth annual Athena Film Festival—which took place at New York City’s Barnard College from February 28 to March 3, 2019—had another banner year for its female-centric programming. Most of the feature-length films at the festival have already been released in theaters or premiered at other events, but most of the films’ directors attend the Athena Film Festival to do intros or Q&As at the screenings. There’s also the Athena Film Festival Awards, which honor prominent people in the film industry. This year’s honorees were filmmaker Marielle Heller (director of “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”), attorney (and Barnard grad) Nina Shaw, filmmaker/actress Desiree Akhavan (director and co-writer of “The Miseducation of Cameron Post”) and Toronto International Film Festival co-head/artistic director Cameron Bailey.
The festival’s hottest ticket was for the closing-night film: director Rachel Lears’ “Knock Down the House,” a documentary about four very different female candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2018 mid-term elections. One of the candidates in the film is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who made history by becoming the youngest woman (at age 29) to serve in Congress. After having its world premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival in January, “Knock Dock Down the House” was picked up for distribution by Netflix, which will premiere the movie on a date to be announced. At the Athena Film Festival, “Knock Down the House” sold out soon after tickets went on sale about two months before the screening, and the movie was so popular that it was the only film screening at the festival that couldn’t be accessed with a press pass.
Another movie that had its world premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival before going to the Athena Film Festival was the Athena Film Festival’s documentary centerpiece film “This Is Personal” (directed by Amy Berg), which takes an inside look at the people behind the annual Women’s March that began in 2017. Although four women—Linda Sarsour, Tamika Mallory, Carmen Perez and Bob Bland—are credited with being the chief organizers of the Women’s March (which also spawned the Women’s Convention), Mallory and Perez (and their personal lives) get the most of the screen time in the documentary. The movie doesn’t sugarcoat the problems in the group, namely the anti-Semitism accusations against most of the group’s leaders. Mallory, Sarsour and Perez have all been accused of making anti-Semitic remarks at private meetings (accusations which they have all denied), but the movie makes it look like Mallory is the only one who’s accused of anti-Semitism. It’s an accusation she finds difficult to defend because of her refusal to disassociate herself from Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who openly expresses hate speech toward Jews.
One of the most riveting scenes in “This is Personal” is when Mallory and a Jewish colleague meet with a lesbian rabbi named Rachel Timoner to discuss the anti-Semitism accusations. It’s an uncomfortable conversation that gets emotional, but it’s effective for showing that bigotry from people who consider themselves to be progressive liberals is a deep-rooted problem that undermines the credibility of those who claim to be fighting for justice for all. Mallory (who is African-American) tries to understand Timoner’s perspective, but in the end, she still defends Farrakhan because she says he’s done a lot to help the black community, and if she condemns Farrakhan, she’ll alienate too many of her black allies.
When watching “This Is Personal,” there’s a sense that the Women’s March leaders, who didn’t expect their work to become such a massive, international business, are susceptible to being corrupted by the fame and power that have come their way. The movie doesn’t adequately address how all the media attention and money made from their activism have affected these women. When Perez’s mother is close to being deported, Perez uses her media connections to draw attention to her mother’s immigration case, and her mother ends up being allowed to stay in the United States. Unfortunately, the movie glosses over how much Perez’s fame played a role in this outcome. Undocumented immigrants who are in danger of deportation and who have no influential connections aren’t as lucky, and they usually do get deported.
“This Is Personal” was completed before the Women’s March further imploded in 2019, when several women’s groups disassociated from the Women’s March and organized their own marches because of the anti-Semitism accusations against the Women’s March leaders. The Women’s March leaders have also faced questions about how they are handling the group’s funds, which is an issue that “This Is Personal” did not cover. Because the Women’s March controversy is an ongoing and ever-evolving story, “This Is Personal” is unfortunately already outdated. It might have been better-served as an ongoing docuseries (much like Showtime’s “The Circus”) instead of trying to condense this complex, changing situation into a 97-minute movie.
The 2019 Athena Film Festival’s narrative centerpiece film was the crime thriller “Out of Blue,” directed by Carol Morley and starring Patricia Clarkson. Clarkson is a very talented actress who does the best with what she’s given, but this movie’s often-incoherent screenplay is the film’s weakest link. The supernatural element of the story is an unnecessary flaw, and the movie has an unbelievable premise that Clarkson’s police detective character is the only person doing the legwork on a high-profile murder case in New Orleans. And this is a bad sign for “Out of Blue”: Out of all the movie screenings that I attended at the festival, “Out of Blue” was the only one where no one applauded at the end of the movie. IFC Films’ “Out of Blue,” which had its world premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, will be released in select theaters and on VOD on March 22, 2019.
“Ask for Jane,” which had its world premiere at the 2018 Hamptons Film Festival, is based on a true story of the Jane Collective, a Chicago-based underground abortion network that was run by female college students during 1969 and 1973, when abortion was illegal. The movie—directed by Rachel Carey—stars Cody Horn (“Magic Mike”) and Sarah Ramos (“Midnight, Texas”) as two of the founders of the Jane Collective.
One of the criticisms that “Ask for Jane” is bound to get is that it follows a “white savior” trope: All of the Jane Collective members in the movie are white, while many of the women who need their services are financially disadvantaged black women. The movie briefly addresses this racial discrepancy by having a black female character asking about it and being told that the Jane Collective didn’t invite black women to be members of the group because the Jane Collective members were in danger of being arrested, and they felt black members would be treated more unfairly by the police. The explanation is easily accepted by the black character, who responds by asking the Jane Collective leaders to contact her if they need any black volunteers. It’s a scene that many people might consider to be trite, inadequate or downright offensive, because the movie ignores the possibility that racism in the Jane Collective could have been the real reason why the group didn’t have women of color in any leadership positions.
Amazon Studios is making a movie with director Kimberly Peirce called “This is Jane” about the same subject matter. While “This Is Jane” is likely to get a theatrical release, “Ask for Jane” has the look and feel of a Lifetime movie. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s certainly not an Oscar-caliber film.
Speaking of Oscar-caliber movies, the Athena Film Festival had a few of them: Oscar-winning films “The Favourite” (Best Actress for Olivia Colman) and “Period. End of Sentence” (Best Documentary Short) were part of the festival lineup, as were Oscar-nominated films “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” and “Mary Queen of Scots.”
Ginnifer Goodwin and Angela Fairley in “I Am Somebody’s Child: The Regina Louise Story” (Photo courtesy of Lifetime)
“I Am Somebody’s Child: The Regina Louise Story” was the only feature film to have its world premiere at the 2019 Athena Film Festival. The movie, directed by Janice Cooke, premieres on Lifetime on April 20, 2019. Ever hear about a “three-hanky movie”? It’s an old Hollywood phrase to describe a tearjerker film that makes people cry so much that that they need three handkerchiefs to get through it. “I Am Somebody’s Child” is that kind of movie.
The story is based on the real-life teenage experiences of African-American beauty entrepreneur/author Regina Louise, who was made a ward of the state in the late 1960s after her biological parents rejected her. When a white social worker named Jeanne Kerr forms a close friendship with Regina, and tries and fails to adopt her, Regina ends up in an abusive system that turns her life into an emotional hell. She is shuffled around and often mistreated in several orphanages, foster homes and psychiatric facilities before she turns 18. The movie sounds an alarm about how foster care and adoptions are handled in the United States. Regina Louise’s story is a cautionary but ultimately inspiring tale on how to overcome the damage that the system might cause. At the movie’s Athena Film Festival premiere, which I attended, tears were flowing aplenty in the audience, which was a diverse mix of people in age, gender and race. I go to a lot of movies, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen so many people cry in a movie audience.
The average “women in peril” Lifetime movie usually takes the angle that a woman’s love life or bad choices somehow put her in danger. That’s what makes “I Am Somebody’s Child” especially tragic because it’s about how a child endured so much trauma for no reason other than because she didn’t have any biological family members to take care of her. The movie’s cast members include newcomer Angela Fairley (a real-life foster child) as a young Regina; Ginnifer Goodwin (“Once Upon a Time”) as Jeanne; and Sherri Saum (“The Fosters”) as the adult Regina.
Besides pushing emotional buttons, “I Am Somebody’s Child” is bound to trigger criticism over race issues from people who will call this another “white savior” movie. The situation is complicated because the movie’s biggest “villain” (besides the broken foster-care system) is Jeanne’s black supervisor Gwen Ford (played by Kim Hawthorne), who does everything she can to keep Regina separated from Jeanne. Gwen literally says in the movie that putting black kids in homes with parents of other races is committing “genocide” on black people. As a member of the National Black Social Workers Association, Gwen isn’t portrayed as a heartless witch, but as someone who genuinely did what she thought was in the best interest of black children at a time when interracial adoptions were still very taboo. Ultimately, the “white savior” criticism of “I Am Somebody’s Child” can only go so far because the last half of the movie shows that Regina is the one who actually saves herself.
Let’s be clear: “I Am Somebody’s Child” has plenty of melodrama that people expect from a Lifetime movie. But the situations depicted in the film can and do happen, and that’s why even the most cynical viewers might not roll their eyes and laugh as they would at overly dramatic scenes in a typical Lifetime movie. The emotions that people feel will tug at the heartstrings (and tear ducts) more than the need to expect Oscar-level acting.
Lifetime is also going the extra mile in social advocacy by partnering with the non-profit Promise House to show “I Am Somebody’s Child” at a March 7 charity event in Dallas to raise money and awareness for homeless youth. Louise will be a guest speaker at the fundraiser.
Sherri Saum, Angela Fairley and Regina Louise at the 2019 Athena Film Festival world premiere in New York City of “I Am Somebody’s Child: The Regina Louise Story” (Photo by Carla Hay)
After the movie’s premiere at the Athena Film Festival, there was a Q&A panel that included Louise and “I Am Somebody’s Child” co-stars Fairley and Saum. Louise, who is the author of the memoirs “Somebody’s Someone” and “Someone Has Led This Child to Believe,” said that when she took a meeting years ago with Creative Artists Agency to make her life story into a movie, she met with a black female agent, who told her, “There are no black people to play you.” The agent’s negative reaction only made Louise even more determined to get the movie made. Louise remembered, “I thought, ‘Not only will there be someone to play me, I can’t wait until it airs in your living room.’”
Louise added that any black girl watching this movie “deserves to be represented, as well as be a representation for herself first and any other girl, no matter the race, creed or nationality.”
The Apollo Theater in New York City’s Harlem (Photo courtesy of HBO)
The following is a press release from the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, will open its 18th edition with the world premiere of director Roger Ross Williams and HBO’s new documentary film “The Apollo.” Helmed by the Oscar and Emmy-winning Williams (“Music by Prudence”; “Life, Animated”), The Apollo chronicles the unique history and contemporary legacy of the New York City landmark, the Apollo Theater. The film will debut at the iconic theater itself on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 and later this year on HBO. The feature-length documentary weaves together archival footage, music, comedy, and dance performances, and behind-the-scenes moments with the team that makes the theater run.
“The Apollo” features interviews with artists like Patti LaBelle, Pharrell Williams, Smokey Robinson, and Jamie Foxx. The film is produced by Lisa Cortés (“Precious”), White Horses Pictures’ Nigel Sinclair (“George Harrison: Living in the Material World,” “Undefeated”), Jeanne Elfant Festa (“Foo Fighters: Back and Forth,” “Pavarotti”), Cassidy Hartmann (“The Beatles: Eight Days A Week,” “Pavarotti”), and Williams. The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival runs April 24 through May 5.
The documentary covers the rich history of the storied performance space over its 85 years and follows a new production of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “Between the World and Me” as it comes to the theater’s grand stage. The creation of this vibrant multi-media stage show frames the way in which “The Apollo” explores the current struggle of black lives in America, the role that art plays in that struggle, and the broad range of African-American achievement that the Apollo Theater represents.
The Apollo Theater is internationally renowned for having influenced American and pop culture more than any other entertainment venue. The space has created opportunities for new talent to be seen and has served as a launchpad for a myriad of artists, including Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Luther Vandross, Dave Chappelle, Lauryn Hill, Jimi Hendrix, and more.
“We’re excited to finally be going uptown to play the Apollo,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder and CEO of the Tribeca Film Festival. “’The Apollo’gives audiences an inside look at the major role this institution has played for the past 85 years. It’s seen the emergence of everything from jazz to R&B to soul and gospel — all quintessential American music genres — and this is the time to remind people of our nation’s rich history. ”
“’The Apollo’ is about so much more than just music, it’s about how we used music and art to lift ourselves out of oppression,” commented Williams. “The story of the Apollo is the story of the evolution of black American identity and how it grew to become the defining cultural movement of our time. I was fortunate to make my first film with HBO and I am thrilled to be coming back home with The Apollo. Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, at the Apollo Theater in Harlem is a dream come true.”
“The Apollo Theater is a symbol of the creative spirit of New York and beyond, and I’m very happy that we’re kicking off our 18th Festival celebrating it with this documentary from Roger Ross Williams,” said Tribeca co-founder Robert De Niro.
An outstanding creative team has been assembled for “The Apollo,” including editors Jean Tsien, ACE (“Miss Sharon Jones!,” “Shut Up & Sing”) and John S. Fisher, as well as Grammy-Award-winning musician Robert Glasper (“Miles Ahead,” “13th”) who is composing the score. Hartmann and Tsien also serve as co-writers on the documentary.
“The Apollo” will have additional screenings during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. Passes and packages to attend the festival go on sale on February 19th, 2019 and can be accessed here.
The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival will announce its feature film slate on March 5th.
