Recap of Tribeca Film Festival 2014
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
As I look back now on the exuberance of the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival, it is so difficult to put it all into words. There was not one day that didn’t shine on a new and exciting experience.
Although New York City is known for the number of people packed into a few bustling boroughs, it was astounding to see the amount of talent packed into these venues with a true appreciation for film brought to the big screen.
Sponsored by corporate giant, AT&T, this was perhaps one of the first years that drew in curious web adventurers by offering them online content, a genius Innovation Week, drive-in showings featuring some of the most magical films of our decade and a Red Carpet celebration here and there.
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Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff have created one of the largest film festivals in the world, giving newcomers to film, a chance to ride on the clouds with stories of all kinds and for that, they are proud.
Over 400,000 people enjoyed this 13th Annual Tribeca Film Festival. Not only did they savor the films themselves, but they were able to listen to interactive panel discussions with some of the biggest movie makers and actors of our time such as Ron Howard who was interviewed by Brian Williams.
Free community events were held such as the Family Festival Street Fair, Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day and the Bombay Sapphire House of Imagination featured during Innovation Week. Awards were given and Future of Film Series attracted a very diverse audience.
Photo Courtesy of Roland Hyde
Actors, Directors, Producers walked the Red Carpet to take a distinguished bow and show their appreciation to the fans. At the finish of many of the films, a Q&A session with those who either took part in the filming or had starring roles in the film creating audience participation.
It all took place from April 16th through April 27th, 2014 with the introduction of over 400 screenings, 89 features, 57 short films and entries from 40 countries. A record 8,000 tickets were claimed on Friday, April 25th, for “Film For All Friday.”
“The response to the films and all of our events throughout our 13th edition has been incredible. We have some of the best audiences in the world and it was great to see them embrace the filmmakers, creators and our new Innovation Week over the last 12 days,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder, Tribeca Film Festival.
Audiences from across the country received front row access to exclusive Tribeca content through the fifth annual Tribeca Online Festival (TOF), which returned with free streaming of a selection of four features and four shorts. TOF also hosted the juried #6SECFILMS Competition for a second year, along with the new Tribeca Interactive & Interlude: A Music Film Challenge in collaboration with The Lincoln Motor Company which invited storytellers to create interactive music films for Damon Albarn, Aloe Blacc and Ellie Goulding.
The free community events returned with the Tribeca Drive-In movie series on the Hudson River, which featured the classic Mary Poppins, celebrating 50 years, followed by a 30th Anniversary screening of Ron Howard’s Splash, and a screening of the documentary Next Goal Wins. Despite the unseasonably cold weather, more than 3,200 visitors came out for the free, outdoor films and participated in games and activities, including a “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” spelling contest, Samoan drumming, face painting, and soccer games.
Photo Courtesy of Roland Hyde
Photo Courtesy of Roland Hyde
There was no more appropriate ending than with John Carney’s comedy, Begin Again, starring Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, and Adam Levine. This just happened to be Adam’s acting debut and he looked like he was loving it as he posed on the Red Carpet for all of his fans.
So many sponsors have jumped on the bandwagon contributing to the overwhelming success of Tribeca Film Festival. Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, The Lincoln Motor Company, ESPN, The New York Times and American Express are just a few of the recognized names giving back to the community and taking an active supporting role in the festival.
I was able to take part in the viewing of memorable films of Palo Alto by screenwriter/director, Gia Coppola and featuring Emma Roberts, James Franco and Nat Wolff and introducing Jack Kilmer. Gia, Emma and Nat were at the screening and were eager to answer questions at the end of the showing. This film brought the reality of troubled teens to our attention and emotions ran deep throughout the entire film.
Photo Courtesy of ropeofsilicon.com Photo Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival
Another heartwarming film with plenty of meaning and some humor was “Goodbye To All That” by Angus MacLachlan who also was on hand to answer questions following the film. Lead actor, Paul Schneider, captured an award for his outstanding performance in this film. One man tries to deal with divorce and a love so strong for his daughter. Getting back into the dating scene surely had its moments.
From panel discussions such as ‘The Growth of Short Content’ to Red Carpet Arrivals, I did it all.
Although it is very difficult to pick out just one captivating moment, there are some highlights that will stick in the minds of the filmgoers at least until Tribeca Film Festival comes around again next year.
- The Festival hosted several performances by music legends such as rapper Nas following the world premiere of his film Time Is Illmatic, and rocker Bob Weir after the world premiere of his film The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir. Jazz luminaries Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Roy Hargrove, Jon Batiste, and young prodigy Justin Kauflin performed following the world premiere of Keep On Keepin’ On – which received a standing ovation. There was also live music at several private events including a performance by Snow Patrol at the after-party for Just Before I Go, a performance by Aloe Blacc at a special event hosted by the Lincoln Motor Company for Every Secret Thing, a performance by Devonte Hynes at the after-party for Palo Alto, and a performance by Damon Albarn at a special event for Tribeca Interactive & Interlude: A Music Film Challenge in collaboration with the Lincoln Motor Company.
- 3,250 attendees experienced Storyscapes – the Festival’s cross-platform, transmedia installation and juried section created in collaboration with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin.
- The Amazing Randi, the subject of An Honest Liar, performed magic tricks for audiences following each of his Festival screenings.
- Puron the Puppeteer, subject of Tomorrow We Disappear, created puppets of the film’s directors – Jimmy Goldblum and Adam Weber – to join everyone on the red carpet.
- The Festival welcomed legendary athletes including Allen Iverson for the world premiere of his film Iverson, Greg LeMond for the world premiere of Slaying The Badger, and New York Knicks icons Phil Jackson, Dick Barnett, andCazzie Russell at the world premiere of When The Garden Was Eden.
- In all, 923 industry delegates registered for TFF, representing 35 countries including Israel, Sweden, South Africa, Poland, Italy, France, The Netherlands, South Korea, Norway and Australia.
- The Million Dollar Arm competition during the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day welcomed hundreds of participants over the course of the day, with the top pitching speeds of the finalists reaching 83 MPH and 85 MPH.
- Audience members enjoyed fortune cookies, distributed after the world premiere screening of The Search for General Tso.
- Chirlane McCray, the First Lady of NYC, spoke before 450 attendees at the Tribeca Film Institute’s Our City, My Story, which premiered the best of NYC produced films by students. In total, the Tribeca Film Institute screened Festival films and student-made work for over 1500 New York City students through its educational programs.
It seems so hard to believe that Tribeca Film Festival has been going so strong for 13 years now. Over that time frame, more than 1500 films from over 80 countries have debuted first-time films. Over 4.5 million viewers have enjoyed the festival and Tribeca Film Festival has brought in $850 million in economic activity for New York City.
However, the greatest accomplishment of all is giving creative artists an opportunity to tell their stories in their own unique way. I am looking forward to being a part of Tribeca Film Festival 2015.
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