Elvis Mitchell, F. Gary Gray, John Quinones, Hiam Abbas, Ajay Naidu, Suroosh Alvi,
among the 2011 Tribeca All Access Jurors
***
$25,000 in Grants and Fellowships for Program Alumni will be awarded this year
***
Special Tribute Event will Honor Quincy Jones for his Contributions to Cinema, Music, and Philanthropy
[New York, NY ]– The Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) has announced the 12 projects selected for Tribeca All Access (TAA) program. This year, the program will introduce $10,000 grants for each project along with tailored mentorships to maximize its impact. Now in its eighth year, TAA was created to help foster and nurture relationships between film industry executives and filmmakers from traditionally underrepresented communities. TAA will present the 12 projects throughout a five-day program taking place during the annual Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by American Express, held from April 20 – May 1, 2011. TAA is made possible by Bloomberg with major support from Time Warner and additional support from, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, The Academy Foundation, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.
Ten filmmakers from across the country were selected from a pool of more than 376 submissions to participate in TAA this year. For the fourth year, two international participants are also included through the program’s partnership with the Canadian Film Centre and for the last time the UK Film Council. New to this year’s program, participating filmmakers will receive an initial $10,000 each in grants and will be paired with an advisor from the Producers Guild of America (PGA), in advance of the festival program. The PGA East and West Diversity Committees will also jointly produce a panel for past and present TAA filmmakers to showcase their work and highlight current concerns in the industry. As part of TAA @ TFF, projects featuring women and minority directors and screenwriters will be presented in one-on-one meetings with more than 100 potential investors, development executives, producers and agents on April 26 and 27. The filmmakers will also participate in workshops and networking events. [EDITORS NOTE: A list of all selected 2011 Tribeca All Access projects and participants is below.]
“With this year’s expanded grants to participants, we are committed to finding more ways to encourage women and minority filmmakers’ visions to be seen and heard by our industry,†said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of TFI. “The access and support that TAA provides filmmakers is crucial to showcasing their talent to wider audiences.â€
Throughout the TAA program, a jury comprised of industry professionals, including actors, writers, producers and directors, will review script excerpts and work samples from the TAA participants and deliberate on the most promising projects. Two Tribeca All Access Creative Promise Awards for Documentary and Narrative films will then be announced at the TFI Awards Luncheon on April 28 awarding each winner with an additional $10,000 in funding to support their film project. The 2011 Narrative jurors are Hiam Abbass, Ajay Naidu and F. Gary Gray. The 2011 Documentary jurors are Elvis Mitchell, Suroosh Alvi, and John Quinones.
“We are looking forward to implementing the new grants and mentorships so that we can continue to make the most of the benefits of our program. It is truly rewarding to see the direct impact that TAA has had on our filmmakers’ success both at Tribeca Film Festival, and beyond, and we hope to continue that momentum,†said Tamir Muhammad, Director of Feature Programming for TFI. “This year’s projects also show incredible promise and we can’t wait to see the potential they bring.â€
As part of TAA’s mission to support filmmakers year-round, TAA recently extended its programming and support for alumni by awarding $25,000 in grants and fellowships for past TAA projects in development or new works by program alumni. The grants include: TAA Adrienne Shelly Foundation Filmmaker Grant to aid in the advancement of talented women filmmakers; The Games for Change Fellowship which TAA will collaborate with Games for Change (G4C) to support one alumnus in creating a game as part of the filmmaking process; and the Audience Activation Grant which one filmmaking team will work with Push Creative, a full service branding agency, to encourage audience development, including a newly designed website. Additionally, alumni will continue to have access to free or discounted equipment and services for any of their projects, and be eligible to take part in a series of workshops, panels and industry events. Promotional support and screening opportunities will also be provided for completed films.
“Bloomberg is proud to continue its support of the Tribeca All Access program,” said Bloomberg L.P. Chairman Peter T. Grauer. “We’re excited to join forces with an organization committed to helping diverse filmmakers access key industry leaders and present their work to the high-caliber audience that Tribeca Film Institute provides.”
2011 Tribeca All Access Program Schedule
Beginning on Friday, April 22, Tribeca All Access will team up with world renowned Chef David Bouley for David Bouley’s Test Kitchen Presents “Key Ingredients,†a cinematic and culinary experience dedicated to creating, developing, and extending advanced approaches to food & film. The event will include a presentation and discussion of select work from TAA alumni over lunch. This showcase is part of the year-round alumni support provided by the TAA program.
Time Warner will host the first day of TAA programming, which officially begins on Monday, April 25. TAA participants will gather at the Time Warner Center for a Welcome Luncheon, practice pitch sessions and a special screening of a TAA alumni film. On Tuesday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 27, TAA participants will have one-on-one industry meetings and a special TAA Filmmaker Mixer at Helen Mills.
The TFI Award Luncheon will take place at Riverpark NYC on Thursday, April 28. In addition to the annual presentation of the TAA Creative Promise Awards, this year, TAA will also present the new grants awarded exclusively for TAA Alumni totaling $25,000. Other specialized awards will also be presented during the event.
As part of a new initiative, TFI will present a special Legacy Celebration on Thursday, April 28 at the Hiro Ballroom to honor Quincy Jones for his contribution to cinema and music as well as his philanthropic efforts across the globe. The night will include a cocktail reception, a multi-media celebration of music performances and film clips, and several presentations from people in the film industry. The annual event celebrates icons that progress the way we look at pop culture and diversified storytelling across several races and generations.
TAA will conclude on Friday, April 29 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian where filmmaker participants and alumni will gather to reflect on their experiences during the week and discuss ways they can be supported year round.
TAA: Films in 2011Tribeca Film Festival and Success Stories
Since its inception in May 2004, TAA has supported the careers of more than 210 filmmakers and has facilitated 3,355 one-on-one meetings between its program participants and key industry professionals. These women and minority filmmakers have gone on to enjoy successful careers, both within TFF and beyond. This year, TAA alumni Dennis Lee and Michael Collins are included as official selections of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival:
· Jesus Henry Christ, directed by Dennis Lee (2005 TAA participant) – Jesus Henry Christ, originally a short film, won a student Academy Award. The film is the story of Henry James Hermin, a genius boy conceived in a petri-dish and raised by his mother, a loving, left-wing feminist. Henry’s world is turned upside down when his grandfather reveals that he has a half sister, leading him on a trail to his biological father. Dennis Lee won the award for Tribeca All Access narrative section prize for his screenplay The Life & Times of H.J. Hermin in 2005.
· Give Up Tomorrow, directed by Michael Collins (2008 TAA participant) – Give Up Tomorrow is about a high-profile miscarriage of justice and its unfolding international repercussions. Simultaneously a murder-mystery and an exposé of corruption in the Philippines today, the film looks intimately at the case of Paco Larrañaga, a student accused of killing two sisters on the provincial island of Cebu.
Additional TAA alumni successes in the past year include:
Circumstance, written & directed by Maryam Keshavarz (2006 TAA participant) – Circumstance was acquired by Participant Media at Sundance 2011. The film shows a rare glimpse of forbidden love in today’s Iranian youth culture.
Gun Hill Road, written & directed by Rashaad Ernesto-Green (2010 TAA participant) – Gun Hill Road was picked up at Sundance 2011 by start-up distributor Motion Film Group for a seven-figure deal and world-wide rights. Hitting theatres in early summer 2011, the film stars Judy Reyes (Scrubs) and follows an ex con who after serving 3 years in prison, returns to his family in the Bronx with a struggle between him and his bi-curious teenage son that leaves his wife stuck in the middle.
Making the Boys, directed by Crayton Robey (2007 TAA participant) – Making the Boys had its World Premiere at Berlin Film Festival 2010 and recently got picked up for distribution from First Run Features. Released theatrically on March 11, 2011, the film explores the drama, struggle and enduring legacy of the first-ever gay play, “The Boys in the Band,†and subsequent Hollywood movie, to successfully reach a mainstream audience.
About the Tribeca Film Institute:
The Tribeca Film Institute is a 501(c)3 year round nonprofit arts organization founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in the wake of September 11, 2001. TFI empowers filmmakers through grants and professional development, and is a resource and advocate for individual artists in the field. The Institute’s educational programming leverages an extensive film community network to help underserved New York City students learn filmmaking and gain the media skills necessary to be productive citizens and creative individuals in the 21st century. Administering a dozen major programs annually, TFI is a critical contributor to the fabric of filmmaking and aids in protecting the livelihood of filmmakers and media artists.
For more information and a list of all TFI programs visit http://www.tribecafilminstitute.org/
About Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival helps filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enable the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promote New York City as a major filmmaking center. It is well known for being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established directors.
Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center, to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of the lower Manhattan district through an annual celebration of film, music and culture, the Festival brings the industry and community together around storytelling.
The Tribeca Film Festival has screened more than 1,100 films from more than 80 countries since its first edition in 2002. Since inception, it has attracted an international audience of more than 3 million attendees and has generated an estimated $600 million in economic activity for New York City.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Rubenstein Communications
Gina Salese: 212.843.9334 or [email protected]
Tribeca Enterprises
Tammie Rosen: 212-941-2003 or [email protected]
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Tribeca All Access – 2011 Project Selection
NOTE:
*BOLD Name – indicates Spotlighted Filmmaker
DOCUMENTARIES:
Boarders Without Borders
“Boarders Without Borders†follows three American snowboarders on a journey to the world-class mountains of Iran, where they meet and ride with Iranian youth snowboarders. A shared passion creates an understanding between two seemingly disparate nations.
Crew:
*Marjan Tehrani (Co-Director, Producer)
Brian Sachson (Co-Director)
Brian Sachson (Producer)
_
Broken Heart Land
After the tragic suicide of a gay teen, the surrounding community of gay youth and their families in the Bible Belt are left to deal with the aftermath as they struggle to prevent further deaths.
Crew:
*Randy Stulberg (Director, Producer)
Jeremy Stulberg (Director, Producer)
Eric Juhola (Producer)
_
Gideon’s Army
Every day, more and more people are arrested, handcuffed, shoved into a
squad car, and booked. Weeks turn into months and their only line of defense is in the hands of a public defender. “Gideon’s Army†asks, are public defenders up to the fight?
Crew:
*Dawn Porter (Director, Producer)
_
God Loves Uganda
Evangelical missionaries from the U.S.A. export their war against immorality to Uganda, where the battle for human souls clashes with the fight for human rights.
Crew:
*Roger Ross Williams (Director, Producer),
Nick Quested (Executive Producer)
Derek Wiesehahn (DP)
_
Montana Medical Marijuana Film (title TBD)
Set against the sweeping vistas of the Rockies, the steamy lamplight of marijuana grow-houses, and the cold sterility of the hospice ward, “Montana Medical Marijuana Film†examines the process of turning an underground
Crew:
*Rebecca Richman Cohen (Director, Producer),
Francisco Bello (Producer, Editor)
Joshua Weinstein (Director of Photography)
NARRATIVE:
County Line (Drama)
A Southern town’s underbelly exposed when its sheriff tries to rid himself of a drug alliance with a family friend and investigate the deaths of his female informants. In the process, he must confront his son’s addiction to the drugs he’s allowed in his county.
Crew:
*Tina Mabry (Director, Screenwriter),
Morgan Stiff (Producer, Screenwriter, Editor)
Lee Stiff (Producer, Exec. Producer)
Bradford Young (D.P.)
Meg Morman (Casting Director)
_
Dandekar Finds Home (Dramedy)
When a kindly middle-aged man is forced into retirement, and his daughters attempt to cheer him up by trading away his old, clunky Volvo for a brand-new one, Dandekar’s daylong journey to get his beloved old car back prepares him to move onto the next phase of his life.
Crew:
*Leena Pendharkar (Director, Screenwriter)
Megha Kadakia (Producer)
_
We’ll Be Gone (Drama)
“We’ll Be Gone†tells the story of a disparate group of Americans bound together by a bad mortgage in the days leading up to the economic collapse.
Crew:
*Hossein Keshavarz (Director, Screenwriter)
_
The Tennis Partner (Drama)
“The Tennis Partner†is an unforgettable, true story of a doctor’s struggle to teach a student about medical science and, as their relationship grows, to save him from cocaine addiction. It is an adaptation of the bestselling memoir by Dr. Abraham Verghese about his medical practice in El Paso, TX.
Crew:
*Mridu Chandra (Screenwriter)
Amy Hobby (Producer)
_
Somebody to Love (Drama)
Chuck Banks is a broken down soul singer surviving off the fame of his late father and a hit he wrote years ago. After one too many drinks, one too many miles, and one too many fights with his band-mate and girlfriend Janelle, he finds himself in a familiar town where an old flame seems to offer the dream of settling down. Faced with a choice, Chuck struggles to find the love he thinks he wants but ultimately realizes that family is closer than he thought.
Crew:
*Alrick Brown (Director)
Mick Casale (Writer)
Edward McDonald (Producer)
Tati Barrantes (Producer)
Peter Newman (Mentor)
Susan Jacobs (Music Supervisor)
INTERNATIONAL:
UK Film Council Supported:
Giant Land (Drama)
Troubled ten year-old Ryan escapes his mother and her boyfriend by playing on the industrial wasteland near his home, where he finds an injured Afghani man hiding out in a shipping container and convinces himself he has found his estranged father.
Crew:
*Yousaf Ali Khan (Screenwriter,Director)
_
Canadian Film Centre (CFC) Supported:
Born into This (Comedy)
Jazz musician Benjamin, a down on his luck romantic arrives home after being kicked out of his prestigious music school. His life takes an unexpected turn when his 80 year-old grandfather gives him the family business and becomes a lively roommate.
Crew:
*Emanuel Shirinian (Director)
David Miller (Producer)
Darren Portelli (Producer)
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