The 2009 Tribeca Film Festival (www.tribecafilmfestival.org) kicks off in New York (April 22 - May 3, 2009) with 365 public screenings, 45 world and 15 North American premieres and 88 directors. 17 Screens will be used to run 208 Miles of 35mm film.

Inspite of all this, there’s a certain subdued air to this year’s proceedings, mainly due to the horrible condition of New York’s economy. But that’s what Tribeca was started for by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal 8 years ago - to spread cheer and motivate people and filmmakers after 9/11 pulled the rug out from under New York’s film industry. 

The New York Times says that Tribeca is ‘leaner and nicer’ this year, aiming to spread more cheer than usual, in view of the downbeat economy and the beating that Wall Street has taken from both in financial results and criticism from ordinary people.

The result is an increased focus on funny films. The Festival begins with the World premiere of Woody Allen’s ‘Whatever Works’. All through the 12 days of film-fest, comedies like Armando Iannucci’s ‘In the Loop’  - a sparkling, hard-hitting satire which shows the vicious bureaucratic catfights as Washington and London prepare to declare war with a middle-eastern country - are set up to lighten the mood by taking current issues and making a mockery of them.

The 2008 Tribeca Film Festival pulled in $104 million in economic activity for New York City. 2009 likely won’t hit the 3-figure mark, but it will still provide a much-needed boost to the struggling New York hotels and other tourism providers. And that includes Robert De Niro’s Greenwich Hotel, his restaurants, including Nobu and the Tribeca Grill, and of course - Tribeca Cinemas.

So literally and in a manner of speaking, Tribeca is still spreading hope and good cheer.

If you happen to be in New York in between April 22-May 3, visit http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/ for more information about film screening schedules, theater locations and tickets. You can also follow them on twitter - @TribecaFilmFest and get updates on facebook.

Image courtesy Tribeca Film Festival.

Posted on April 19th, 2009 by Thomas
Filed under: Festivals, NYC, movies