Tribeca Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary with notable events, conversations, and free screenings. Co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal will participate in a special discussion to reflect on the festival’s origins and evolution. Acclaimed director Matt Tyrnauer will moderate the conversation.
Reflecting on a Historic Beginning
The Tribeca Festival was established in just 120 days to aid the recovery of lower Manhattan following the 9/11 attacks. De Niro, recognized for his roles in “Raging Bull” and “Goodfellas,” alongside Rosenthal, known for producing “Meet the Parents,” leveraged their extensive networks to bring together A-list talent and premieres.
In a previous interview, Rosenthal shared the challenges they faced. “Nobody was coming downtown after 9/11,” she noted. They managed to secure a venue at City Hall, with former President Bill Clinton and actors like Hugh Grant participating in the inaugural event. Mandela’s memorable reflection on shared movie nights highlighted the festival’s role in promoting human connection through storytelling.
Special Events and Screenings
Tribeca Festival will feature free outdoor screenings at Hudson Yards, an initiative titled “Tribeca at 25: Celebrating the Stories We Share.” For the first time, limited public tickets will also be available for the Tribeca Festival Awards Ceremony on June 11, where the Founders Award will be presented by De Niro and Rosenthal.
- Outdoor Screenings: Featuring landmark premieres and favorites from the past quarter-century.
- Notable Films:
- “Let the Right One In” (TF ’08)
- “Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench” (TF ’09)
- “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” (TF ’11)
- “Virunga” (TF ’14)
- “Ascension” (TF ’21)
- Filmmaker Conversations: Audiences will engage with directors of featured films.
Economic Impact and Community Engagement
Since its inception in 2002, Tribeca Festival has generated over $1 billion in economic impact for New York City. The festival has evolved to include diverse programming, encompassing films, television, virtual reality, and audio storytelling.
De Niro expressed that the festival was born from a desire to revitalize downtown New York. “It was an act of defiance,” he stated. “We had no money, no blueprint, just an idea and a neighborhood that needed people back.”
Rosenthal echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the power of storytelling to foster understanding in a divided world. The festival remains committed to entertaining audiences and championing diverse voices that resonate with people.
