BMX Pioneer Mat Hoffman a.k.a “The Condor†To Perform Thrilling Live Stunt at the Screening of ESPN Films’ “The Birth of Big Air†at the Tribeca Drive-In Co-Sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City
Street Fair Features Broadway’s “Wicked,†a Massive Guitar “Play-in†Led by “Mike D†of the Beastie Boys and the Chance for Families to Walk an Official Festival Red Carpet
[New York, NY] – The 2010 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by Founding Sponsor American Express, announced today the return of its signature free community events – the Tribeca Drive-In (April 22 – 24), Family Festival Street Fair (May 1) and Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day (May 1). These free events draw thousands of people downtown to enjoy top-notch talent and entertainment, and also serve to highlight the restaurants, merchants, schools and community organizations of Lower Manhattan. New this year, Family Festival-goers can walk an official TFF red carpet, catch a free (ticketed) screening of the Tribeca Family Festival feature film, “Snowmen,†and enjoy a variety of performances and activities inside and outside of BMCC Tribeca PAC at the Street Fair. For the first time, Washington Market Park will also host storytellers, puppeteers, stilt walkers, and other Family Festival favorites.
The Tribeca Drive-In, TFF’s highly anticipated outdoor screening series that entertains families and movie lovers of all ages, will feature the world premiere of two new documentaries ESPN Films’ “The Birth of Big Air†and “and HBO’S “El Espiritu de la Salsa (The Spirit of Salsa),†along with a special screening of the beloved family comedy “Big,†presented by 20th Century Fox in honor of its 75th anniversary. BMX demos, salsa dancing, and carnival games, are examples of the interactive fun that will precede each screening. Two returning free series of panels will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of movie-making: “Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper,†hosted by Barnes & Noble and “Tribeca Talks: Industry.†This year’s TFF will take place from April 21 – May 2, 2010.
“Our free community events are the heartbeat of our Festival, which was created to bring people and business back downtown through a mix of film and events in our neighborhood. We look forward to once again highlighting all that Tribeca has to offer,†said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of TFF.
The free events are as follows:
TRIBECA DRIVE-IN OUTDOOR SCREENINGS
Thursday – Saturday, April 22 – April 24, 2010  World Financial Center Plaza
The following films will be featured at the Tribeca Drive-In, TFF’s outdoor screening series for film enthusiasts of all ages. Co-sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City and hosted by Brookfield, owner of the World Financial Center, this free evening of cinema under the stars is open to the public, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The programs will also begin at 6:00 p.m., with screenings starting at dusk, approximately 8:15 p.m.
El Espiritu de la Salsa (The Spirit of Salsa) – Thursday, April 22
To celebrate the world premiere of this invigorating documentary, live salsa bands, local dancers and salsa pros will come together to strut their stuff for a night of salsa under the stars. Movie-goers will enjoy salsa lessons, dance contests and percussive revelry for all ages.
The Spirit of Salsa (El Espiritu de la Salsa) — Lonely hearts from all over New York City — from an ER doc and an equities trader to a construction contractor and a cop — meet in Spanish Harlem once a week at Santo Rico Dance School, where they learn the rich art of salsa. Under the great salsa dance teacher Tomas Guerrero’s tutelage, they have only six weeks to rehearse for a public performance. Directed by Francisco Bello and Tim Sternberg. Produced by Jon Alpert, Francisco Bello, Matthew O’Neill and Tim Sternberg. Featuring music by Tito Puente, Eddie Santiago, Héctor Lavoe, Norah Jones, and more. World Premiere, Documentary (USA) Suggested for ages 8 and up. An HBO Documentary Films presentation.
Big – Friday, April 23
At Tribeca’s official family night, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will present a special screening of the beloved family comedy “Big,†in honor of the studio’s 75th anniversary, a year-long celebration that will honor Fox’s library and legacy of fan favorite films. Everyone will have a blast enjoying classic carnival-style fun on the waterfront including face painters, fortune tellers, games, trivia contests, music and more before the screening of this beloved comedy.
Big — At a carnival on Coney Island, young Josh Baskin (Tom Hanks) wishes he was big-only to awake the next morning and discover he is! With the help of his friend Billy (Jared Rushton), Josh lands a job at a toy company in Manhattan. There, his inner wisdom enables him to successfully predict what children want to buy, making the awestruck, naïve Josh irresistible to a beautiful ladder-climbing colleague (Elizabeth Perkins). But the more he experiences being an adult, the more Josh longs for the simple joys of childhood. Directed by Penny Marshall. Written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg. (USA) PG. .A Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Presentation.
The Birth of Big Air – Saturday, April 24
BMX street tricks and freestyle demonstrations will take place on the upper and lower plazas to highlight the world premiere of this new ESPN Films documentary. Stick around for a spectacular stunt extravaganza featuring BMX pioneer Mat Hoffman, a.k.a. “The Condor.â€
The Birth of Big Air — In 1985, at the tender age of 13, Mat Hoffman entered into the BMX circuit as an amateur. By 16, he had soared to the top of the sport. Throughout his prodigious     career, Hoffman has ignored conventional limitations; instead focusing his efforts on the purity    of the sport and the pursuit of “what’s next.† Academy Award® nominee Spike Jonze and extreme sport fanatic Johnny Knoxville, along with director Jeff Tremaine, showcase the inner workings and exploits of the man who gave birth to “Big Air.†World Premiere, Documentary  (USA) An ESPN Films “30 for 30â€Presentation. Suggested for ages 8 and up.
TRIBECA FAMILY FESTIVAL STREET FAIR
Saturday, May 1
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Greenwich Street from Chambers St. to Harrison St.
BMCC Tribeca PAC (199 Chambers St. bet. Greenwich St. and West St.)
Washington Market Park (Chambers St. at Greenwich St.)
The Tribeca Family Festival, presented by Founding Sponsor American Express, will feature the annual Street Fair on Saturday, May 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Greenwich Street from Chambers Street to Harrison Street and at venues throughout the Tribeca neighborhood. The fair, a Festival favorite which drew more than 200,000 people last year, is free and open to the public, and promises to be a day of family fun and lively entertainment.
New this year, festival-goers can walk an official Tribeca Film Festival Red Carpet, catch a free (ticketed) screening of the Tribeca Family Festival feature film “Snowmen,†and enjoy a variety of performances and activities inside and outside of BMCC Tribeca PAC. For the first time, Washington Market Park will also host storytellers, puppeteers, sand sculptors and other festival favorites. Throughout the Street Fair will be talented performers, dancers, stilt walkers, Broadway performances, arts and crafts, face painters, and much more. Students from local schools will also be at the fair with creative fundraising activities and vibrant student artwork. The Street Fair will host restaurants, merchants and organizations from the Tribeca neighborhood. More details and a map of events will be available in the coming weeks at www.tribecafilm.com.
Street Fair highlights include:
- New this year, families will have the chance to walk an official Tribeca Film Festival Red Carpet at BMCC Tribeca PAC. Families can pose for photos on the carpet with wax figures of their favorite stars from Madame Tussauds New York. Cast members from the Broadway show “Wicked,†Broadway Kids Care, AudraRox and Bubble Do Beatles will take center stage outdoors on the plaza. A student rock band and student afro-cuban drumline along with local youth ballet schools, dance troupes, gymnastics teams, school choirs and other creative groups will perform at BMCC Tribeca PAC.
- To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, the Church Street School for Music and Art will expand its offerings at the Street Fair to include a massive Guitar “Play-in†led by Church Street School dad Mike Diamond “Mike D†of the Beastie Boys as well as ribbon weaving, specialty music programs and art workshops located at 74 Warren Street (at Chambers Street).
- For the first time, families can attend a free (ticketed) screening of a Tribeca Family Festival feature film after the Street Fair. This special presentation of “Snowmen,†hosted by the Tribeca Cinemas Kids Club, will be screened at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 1 at BMCC Tribeca PAC, Theatre 1. For ticket information and more details visit www.tribecafilm.com in the coming weeks. See below for a synopsis on the film.
- Snowmen — A fun, heartwarming comedy, directed by Robert Kirbyson, follows the adventures of 10-year-old Billy and his misfit friends as they hatch a scheme to set a Guinness World Record. Along this journey of self-discovery, the boys conquer neighborhood bullies, unite a community, and discover that the only lasting legacy is friendship. Starring: Bobby Coleman, Josh Flitter, Ray Liotta, Christopher Lloyd, and Beverley Mitchell. Suggested for ages 8 and up.
- Also new this year, Washington Market Park will feature face painting and sand sculpting as well as lively jugglers, stiltwalkers and musicians. Families can head to the park gazebo for special performances by master storytellers and puppeteers.
- Improv experts Broadway’s Next Hit Musical and the theater group Making Books Sing will also perform at the Street Fair.
- Families will enjoy the popular Kite Garden, where kids can make their own kites, and the Bubble Garden where youngsters can create gigantic bubbles.
- Take Two Film Academy will help children develop their dramatic skills by giving everyone a chance to host their own talk show.
- Little ones can get their hands dirty, sculpt clay and explore their creative side in the Arts and Crafts Pavilion.
- Imagination Playground will bring giant foam blocks and other fun elements for children to play, dream, build and explore endless possibilities.
- Victorian Gardens Amusement Park from Wollman Rink in Central Park will bring the magic downtown with several performances. Shows encourage audience participation and will bring smiles and giggles to all faces.
- The Tribeca Fun Squad will lead Hula Hoop Contests, Dance-Offs and other Wacky Street Games.
- Bloomberg will create a 3D photo experience for adults and children alike and the magic of 3D will be brought to life.
- Polaroid will be onsite to take fun candids and AT&T will offer a special activity for the kids.
- An encore screening of Downtown Youth Behind the Camera, a series of short films created by elementary and middle school students from downtown New York City, will also be shown. The screenings from these emerging filmmakers are non-ticketed and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other sponsors bringing great activities to the Street Fair include: 101.9 RXP, The New York Times, Time Out New York, and Time Warner Cable.
TRIBECA/ESPN SPORTS DAY
Saturday, May 1
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Duane Street between Greenwich Street and Hudson Street
Back for its fourth season, Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day will be on Saturday, May 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and will play out this year on Duane Street between Greenwich Street and Hudson Street. The event is free and open to the public. Sports fans will have the opportunity to participate in various interactive sports-related games, demonstrations and giveaways as part of the Family Festival Street Fair. Fans of all ages will enjoy the exciting BMX Jams Tour*, along with special appearances by their favorite athletes, dance teams, mascots and sports personalities.
- Mr. Met will be on hand to greet baseball lovers. Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls street team will showcase their crazy freestyle soccer tricks and skills, and 1050 ESPN Radio will also be onsite.
- The New York Women’s Baseball Association will conduct pitching and throwing clinics. ESPN’s “Play Your Way†will set up an interactive play spot for the little ones to hop, jump, skip and soar, while PowerPlay NYC will offer various sports clinics to help kids learn the fundamentals.
- Fans will also enjoy activities from their favorite teams, including the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and WNBA’s New York Liberty.
Sports elements will be updated and added throughout the weeks leading up to the Festival. Visit www.tribecafilm.com for more details.
*BMX pending weather conditions.
TRIBECA TALKS: PEN TO PAPER
Free panel discussions hosted by Barnes & Noble will feature conversations on the artistic process of screenwriting.
Illustrating History
It’s one thing to write a film based on a book or play, but when your subject is a real person, the attention to detail from script to screen is supreme. Movie magic can bring history to life, but some filmmakers change the way we look at the traditional biopic along the way. Panelists include sex & drugs & rock & roll writer Paul Viragh and director Mat Whitecross, My Queen Karo writer/director Dorothée van den Berghe, and The Chameleon director/co-writer Jean-Paul Salomé. Moderated by Marie Claire film critic Caryn James.
DATE: Saturday, April 24
TIME: 12 PM
LOCATION: Barnes & Noble Union Square
New York Stories
Shaped by the sights, sounds, and characters abuzz in its boroughs, New York is the antithesis of a cookie-cutter city. How do filmmakers approach this ever-changing landscape to render our hometown and its ultra-contrasting neighborhoods? Panelists include Arias With a Twist director Bobby Sheehan and performer Joey Arias, Monogamy writer/director Dana Adam Shapiro, The Woodmans director C. Scott Willis, and actor/writer Hill Harper. Moderated by NY1’s Budd Mishkin.
DATE: Sunday, April 25
TIME: 12 PM
LOCATION: Barnes & Noble Union Square
Authors at the Helm
Whether it’s a novelist, screenwriter, playwright, or songwriter, crossing the line from page to screen is no easy feat. Hear the difficulties and triumphs of the process from some of the best jacks-of-all-trades in the biz. Panelists include Nice Guy Johnny writer/director Edward Burns, Snap writer/director and playwright Carmel Winters, and Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Grammy-winning recording artist and writer/director of The Sentimental Engine Slayer. Moderated by The New Yorker’s Susan Orlean.
DATE: Monday, April 26
TIME: 12 PM
LOCATION: Barnes & Noble Union Square
TRIBECA TALKS: INDUSTRY
Free panel discussions will explore the business and technology sides of filmmaking.
Is The Sky Falling? A Closer Look at the Future of Film Distribution
Depending on whom you ask, the landscape of film distribution is changing either for the better or worse. So which is it? Is the sky really falling on the film industry? Join filmmakers, sales agents, and distributors in a discussion about enabling independent film and filmmakers to reach audiences and make money in this digital landscape. Panelists include Eamonn Bowles, president of Magnolia Pictures, Ted Hope, producer/partner of This Is That Productions, Efe Cakarel, founder and CEO of The Auteurs, Arvind Ethan David, CEO of Slingshot Studios and producer of The Infidel, Paul Cohen, president of Red Hills Releasing, and Marc Simon, partner at Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP.. Moderated by Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises.
DATE: Friday, April 23
TIME: 2 PM
LOCATION: SVA Theater 2
Checking Up On Docs: A Conversation with Sheila Nevins
As the landscape of nonfiction film continues to evolve in today’s complex market, the documentary form has taken on a more central role in filmmaking around the world. For more than 20 years, Sheila Nevins and HBO Documentary Films have been at the forefront of exposing innovative new documentary films to a wider audience. Join us for a conversation with Sheila Nevins to hear her perspective with Tribeca’s own Geoff Gilmore, as they candidly discuss why documentaries are more important today than ever before.
DATE: Sunday, April 25
TIME: 1 PM
LOCATION: SVA Theater 2
Digital Cinema: Learning and Loving the New Distribution Paradigm
Sponsored by Cinedigm Entertainment Group
As cinemas replace 35mm projectors with digital equipment, it literally upends the old-fashioned indie release model. From virtual red carpet premieres and talent Q&As, to releasing indie film series and concerts/events, Cinedigm’s digital theatrical distribution allows producers and talent to connect with fans in ways that have never been utilized before. Make sure you fully realize the enormous impact of the global digital cinema conversion on both revenue downstreams and release opportunities. Learn from Cinedigm’s experienced team and outside producers how you can benefit from digital theatrical distribution. Panelists include Michele Martell, COO of Cinedigm Entertainment Group; Jonathan Dern, award-winning producer, LIVE 3D Programming, Concerts, Animation; producer Mark Ehrenkranz of the NY Film Critics Series; and J. Todd Harris, producer of Bottle Shock, The Kids Are Alright, and Crooked Arrows.
DATE: Monday, April 26
TIME: 12 PM
LOCATION: SVA Theater 1
Docs Doing It Right
Sponsored by Panavision
Documentary filmmaking is no walk in the park. The demanding conditions, inexhaustible research, mobile subjects, and sometimes impossible access is enough to make any documentarian’s head spin. Even the most weathered of the bunch will run into obstacles, but with a few tricks and the correct preparation and equipment, nothing is unattainable. Join Alexandra Codina (Monica & David), Thorkell Hardarson (Feathered Cocaine), Paul Crowder and Jon Small (Last Play at Shea), and reps from Panavision as they discuss the joys and the dramas of capturing true stories. Moderated by The Hollywood Reporter’s Georg Szalai.
DATE: Monday, April 26
TIME: 2 PM
LOCATION: SVA Theater 2
Dollar and Sense: Making the Most of Your Production Budget
Sponsored by SAP
Filmmakers know what’s important in making their film: the best script, the best actors, and getting the biggest bang for every dollar spent on production. Whether it’s $100,000 or $100 million, managing resources and getting the utmost creative impact out of the budget is key. Attend this panel with SAP, the world’s leading software company to the major film studios, as they show you a solution that can help guide independent filmmakers and producers through the bumpy roads of filmmaking from pre-production through post-production. Join Craig Cohen, producer of Beware the Gonzo, Jen Gatien, producer of Meskada, Jordan Horowitz, producer of Meet Monica Velour, and SAP representatives as they discuss what to do after your film is financed and how the right software can be your A+ support system through thick and thin.
DATE: Wednesday, April 28
TIME: 3 PM
LOCATION: SVA Theater 1
Talking With Pictures
Sponsored by Kodak
There are a million and one ways to tell a story, and twice as many stories to tell. Whether it’s a comedy, romance, noir, horror, or sci-fi, the look of a film has a major role in determining and defining the tone. But does the visual style define genre or does genre dictate visual style? The collaboration of directors and cinematographers results in the ability to capture and convey narrative through the use of shadow, darkness, and light. The gasp of fear or a feeling of nostalgia can be achieved by a gel on a lens or the framing of the scene. Join writer/director Lee Isaac Chung (Lucky Life), director Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky), producer Jon Kilik (Babel and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) and other TFF filmmakers and cinematographers in a discussion that proves there is always more than meets the eye.
DATE: Thursday, April 29
TIME: 2 PM
LOCATION: SVA Theater 2
Tickets for 2010 Festival
Tickets for the Festival will be $16.00 for evening and weekend screenings and $8.00 for daytime weekday and late night screenings.
Advance selection ticket packages are now on sale for American Express Cardmembers and for the general public. All advance packages can be purchased online at www.tribecafilm.com, or by telephone, toll free, at (866) 941-FEST (3378).
Single ticket and discounted ticket package sales begin for American Express Cardmembers on April 13, 2010, for downtown residents on April 18, 2010, and for the general public on April 19, 2010. Single tickets can be purchased online, by telephone, or at one of the Ticket Outlets, located at the Tribeca Cinemas Ticket Window at 54 Varick Street and an additional location to be determined. The 2010 Festival will continue ticket discounts for evening and weekend screenings for students, seniors and select downtown Manhattan residents. Discounted tickets are available at Ticket Outlet locations only. Discounted packages can only be purchased online and by phone. Additional information and further details on the Festival can be found at www.tribecafilm.com.
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