Tribeca Film Festival

[caption id="attachment_21786" align="aligncenter" width="1203"] For Every Kind of Dream: Yassin Falafel (Brand: Square)[/caption] Ten finalists, 9 short films and 1 Virtual Reality project, were selected from a field of 600 entries that represent the best in storytelling at the intersection of advertising and entertainment from the past year for the second annual Tribeca X Award at the upcoming 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. The award highlights excellence in creative, original and authentic storytelling that is sponsored or underwritten by a brand. The selected projects were created by acclaimed filmmakers in partnership with a wide-ranging array of brands, including Apple, Beefeater, BMW, CHANEL, Diageo North America, Kenzo, Red Bull, Square, Visit Seattle, and YETI Coolers. The finalists include a futuristic short film with an A-list cast and action-packed driving stunts, a VR experience of an immersive play by “La Despensa” that follows the journey of Ulysses, a short film about a deaf choreographer who experiences and shares music and dance through waves of sound, and a short film that follows a bold woman’s climb to the tops of the Seven Summits. The selected projects can be viewed in a special section on TheAtlantic.com, created by Atlantic Re:think [theatlantic.com/sponsored/tribecax]. The winner will be announced during the Festival at a celebration and screening of the work on Monday, April 24, followed by a dinner supported by WHOSAY. “Over the past year, branded content has grown leaps and bounds with an explosion of projects and collaborations. These finalists represent the best artist-brand pairings of the past year and demonstrate how authentic, original and creative storytelling truly rises above the rest,” said Andrew Essex, CEO of Tribeca Enterprises. “Having partnered with some of the world’s most creative brands, Atlantic Re:think is an established arbiter of standout branded content,” said Hayley Romer, SVP and Publisher of The Atlantic. “It’s exciting to now have the opportunity to celebrate the best of the best across the industry – and bring this work to our audience, which has long embraced and engaged with brand storytelling.” Eligible projects included scripted and documentary work for film, TV, digital, social, and virtual reality and/or augmented reality, in both feature and short length. The winner will be chosen by a jury that includes Joanna Coles, CCO at Hearst; Jae Goodman, CCO and Co-Head of Marketing of CAA; Tim & Eric (Comedy Duo) and Directors at PRETTYBIRD, Founders of Abso Lutely; Jenna Lyons, President and Creative Director of J.Crew; Eli Pariser, CEO of Upworthy; and a proprietary A.I. solution developed by Celtra, providing quantitative creative analysis based on performance data and insights from hundreds-of-thousands of video advertising campaigns powered by Celtra’s creative management platform. The 10 finalists for the Tribeca X Award are: BeefeaterXO Brand: Beefeater Directed by Jesús Hernandez BeefeaterXO is an interactive experience inside the creative mind of the 3-Michelin-starred chef Dabiz Muñoz, where the viewer travels through 4 different cities in order to find the secrets behind the most avant-garde cocktails ever made. Chris Fonseca: Keep It Moving Brand: Diageo North America Directed by Zachary Heinzerling Deaf people are anything but disabled, and this film featuring the real story of deaf dancer Chris Fonseca proves it. Born profoundly deaf, Chris challenges the perceptions of disability as a social barrier by teaching his deaf students how to express themselves on the dance floor, inspiring self-confidence within them and pure awe in all of us. The Escape Brand: BMW Directed by Neill Blomkamp BMW Films were a groundbreaking series of eight short, online films released in 2001, starring Clive Owen as an enigmatic driver for hire who used a BMW for his thrilling exploits. To celebrate the film’s 15th anniversary, “The Escape” is a modern homage to the originals, with Clive Owen reprising his role as the driver and also starring Jon Bernthal and Dakota Fanning. Five by Five Brand: Visit Seattle Directed by Terence Nance, Martha Stephens, Clea DuVall, Drew Christie and Ian Cheney Five films by Five Filmmakers each exploring and celebrating Seattle through the lens of one of the five senses. Each film was conceived and directed by a celebrated independent filmmaker. The films cross genres including documentary, experimental, animation and scripted. For Every Kind of Dream: Yassin Falafel Brand: Square Directed by Mohammad Gorjestani Yassin Terou fled Syria with a suitcase and a few hundred dollars. He knew no one in Knoxville, Tennessee, and he spoke no English, but he went there to rebuild his life and pursue his dream of perfect falafel anyway. Every business starts with a dream, and Square exists to serve them—every kind of dream. “Yassin Falafel” is Square’s first short film chronicling their remarkable sellers and their tireless pursuit of their dreams. JellyWolf Brand: CHANEL Directed by Alma Har’el JellyWolf is a feminine-spiritual coming of age story told through notes of scent. CHANEL N°5 L’Eau speaks to a new woman, who are often portrayed as beautiful creatures whose only desire is to be desired. This film is to inspire young women to remember their voice and to see each other. Mavens: Jocelyn Cooper Brand: Red Bull Directed by Salima Koroma Jocelyn Cooper left the top of music industry to start a movement. She is a partner in AFROPUNK, a festival that unifies people through music, film, skate, and art. She inspires perseverance and empowers an underserved population, and that’s what makes her of a true maven. The Realest Real Brand: Kenzo Directed by Carrie Brownstein With social media ever more present in our lives, blurring the barriers between ordinary and instafamous, Kenzo invited writer and Director Carrie Brownstein to take a look at the invisible digital walls that separate us from our favorite stars, and the curious conceit of a dream come true. Wasfia Brand: Apple Directed by Sean Kusanagi As the first Bangladeshi to scale the Seven Summits, Wasfia Nazreen doesn’t just climb for the thrill; she climbs for the women of her country. Lyrical and poetic, this short documentary explores what it means to pursue the unknown. Yeti Presents Brand: YETI Coolers John Shocklee: A Fairy Tale Directed by Ryan Heffernan and Grayson Schaffer Refusing to act his age has worked out well for John Shocklee. The 52 year old has devoted his life to doing what he loves. Powered by old school hip hop and fresh powder, Shocklee makes turns down untamed slopes with the freedom of a man half his age. Soul of a City Directed by Berndt Mader Austin, TX has a rich artistic history sometimes not seen in a sea of new residents. Neon artist Evan Voyles represents the inventive spirit that makes Austin a creative haven, and his work continues to light up landmarks across our capital city.

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Tribeca Games is partnering with Kill Screen to launch the Tribeca Games Festival, an event to bring together New York City’s passionate gaming community.   The festival will include behind-the-scenes looks back at some of the most fascinating games of the past year, and conversations with cultural leaders and game industry insiders, including a conversation with legendary game creator, Hideo Kojima. The inaugural Tribeca Games Festival will take place April 28-29 during the Tribeca Film Festival at The Tribeca Festival Hub at Spring Studios.  The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 19-30. The festival will kick off with the New York premiere of Telltale Games’ first-ever crowd play of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale series, Episode 1 and a concert headlined by British electronic producer and multi-instrumentalist Mura Masa. The Tribeca Games Festival program includes “X Post Conversations,” a series of cross-cultural conversations, each pairing a creator from the gaming community with someone of equal stature from an outside field; “Retro Active,” a series of talks that take a look back on some of the greatest titles from 2016, exploring every element from art, design and sound to storytelling; “Sneak Peeks,” previews of new and unreleased work from some of the most dynamic independent game studios from around the world, and an interactive arcade allowing attendees to get hands-on with new and unreleased games.   Hideo Kojima is widely celebrated as the godfather of the stealth action game genre, having created theMetal Gear franchise 30 years ago this July. He was awarded the Game Developers Choice Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award in March 2009, inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Science’s Hall of Fame in February 2016 and, most recently received The Game Awards’ Industry Icon Award this past December. Hideo Kojima leads a robust schedule of conversations to take place at the Festival, including additional keynote conversations given by Quantum Break, Alan Wake and Max Payne creator Sam Lake and BioShock director/writer Ken Levine, a celebration of the 25th anniversary of virtual reality-themed movie The Lawnmower Man with filmmaker Brett Leonard, principal filmmaker for VR at Google Jessica Brillhart and Cy Wise from Job Simulator’s Owlchemy Labs, and discussions with developers of recent and upcoming games such as Overwatch, The Banner Saga, Firewatch, The Stanley Parable,Watch Dogs 2, What Remains of Edith Finch and several more. In 2011, Tribeca was the first film festival to welcome gaming to the official program with the World Premiere of L.A. Noire, a detective-based Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (PS3) game. It has continued to support artists in the gaming world with the premiere of Beyond: Two Souls, a PS3 fantasy role-playing game led by Oscar^® nominee Ellen Page (2013); a panel series on innovation and storytelling in gaming with League of Legends’ designers, artists, producers, and musicians (2015); a partnership with Games for Change that illustrated how new and innovative platforms can serve the social good with participants including Morgan Spurlock, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn (A Path Appears), Chief Scientist of Oculus VR Michael Abrash, and the developers of Rovio’s blockbuster mobile game Angry Birds (2015, 2016); and more. The Tribeca Games Festival program follows: OPENING NIGHT A celebration of games, play and interactivity set to the music of British electronic producer and multi-instrumentalist Mura Masa, who inspires game makers and players globally, and an exclusive Telltale crowdplay experience KEYNOTE CONVERSATIONS Intimate conversations some of the top game creators on the future of games and storytelling. Hideo Kojima The legendary creator of the Metal Gear franchise, on what’s next for him and the influences of cinema on his work. Ken Levine Director and Writer of the BioShock series, Levine reflects on his two decades in videogames and the legacy his work has created for interactive story-telling. Sam Lake The creator of Max Payne, Alan Wake and Quantum Break, on his unique approach to storytelling in games.  X POST CONVERSATIONS Cross-cultural conversations, pairing a creator of the gaming community with leading artists and filmmakers. Winslow Porter, Milica Zec and Tracy Fullerton Virtual reality directors Winslow Porter and Milica Zec and Director of USC’s Game Innovation LabTracy Fullerton discuss how to create real-world environmental awareness in digital worlds Ian Dallas Giant Sparrow’s creative director Ian Dallas takes the stage to discuss his upcoming game, What Remains of Edith Finch. Combining a family drama with famous supernatural Japanese tales, he will discuss how creators are making mysticism relevant to the modern world. Robin Hunicke with Maureen Fan Robin Hunicke, founder of indie studio Funomena, and Baobab Studios CEO Maureen Fan show how to create delight and joy in VR RETRO ACTIVE By breaking down each title piece by piece – exploring every element from art, design and sound to storytelling – we take a look back on the some of the greatest titles from 2016. Firewatch / Campo Santo The Firewatch team at Campo Santo dissects their award-winning debut with a focus on narrative design with writer and studio director Sean Vanaman. Overwatch /Michael Chu Overwatch senior game designer Michael Chu discuss how characters come into being in one of the best-selling PC games of all-time. The Stanley Parable / Davey Wreden The Stanley Parable creator Davey Wreden on how he designs virtual spaces that are perfectly suited for his unique narratives and how that’s pushed him to explore the everyday. The Banner Saga / John Watson Stoic co-founder John Watson on how classic films like Disney’s Sleeping Beauty inspired the Norse world of The Banner Saga series Watch Dogs 2 / Jonathan Morin Watch Dogs 2 creative director Jonathan Morin tackled issues like surveillance, the Silicon Valley housing crisis, and diversity in tech in their ground-breaking title. He’ll talk about how the team built a simulation where everything is connected. SPECIAL CONVERSATIONS 25th Anniversary of The Lawnmower Man + The Past, Present &  Future of VR Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Lawnmower Man, a special conversation on how Lawnmower Man influenced a generation of digital creators and to how capture images of the future with the tools of today with Brett Leonard, director of The Lawnmower Man, Jessica Brillhart, Principal Filmmaker for VR at Google, and Cy Wise from Job Simulator’s Owlchemy Labs. SNEAK PEEK AND THE ARCADE A preview of new and unreleased work with some of the most dynamic independent game studios from around the world like Might & Delight, Finji Games, and Giant Sparrow, and additional hands-on play with unreleased and newly-released titles.

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[caption id="attachment_21727" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] A still from The New York Timesí Op-Docs “Hotel U.S.A.”[/caption] The Tribeca Film Festival will spotlight creators who are pushing the boundaries of online storytelling in its N.O.W. (New Online Work) section. The Festival today announced the lineup for the section’s programs: the N.O.W Showcase, Special Screenings, and the Creators Market participants. The Tribeca N.O.W. program will run during the Tribeca Film Festival, taking place April 19-30. This year’s N.O.W. Special Screenings series features high profile content curated by Tribeca from the industry’s leading online networks and talent. Academy Award-nominated® Tribeca alumni Josh Foxand James Spione will premiere Awake, A Dream from Standing Rock, Executive Produced by Shailene Woodley, and co-directed by Myron Dewey. Eli Roth’s Crypt TV will premiere Monster Madness, a series of several character shorts from the digital brand’s scaremakers. Op-Docs, The New York Times’ award-winning forum for short, opinionated documentaries, will screen three films at the Festival.Burgeoning online studios DUST, Adaptive Studios, and Stage 13 will bring three fresh voices into the genre sphere from trailblazing female filmmakers Nicole Delaney, Vera Miaob and Arkasha Stevenson. Conversations will follow each screening with the creators, talent, and special guests. The N.O.W. Showcase is a curated selection of 10 independent online creators’ latest work that is representative of the industry’s freshest voices and most original forms of storytelling. In addition to the world premieres of the new online work during Showcase Screenings on April 20, a piece of past work from each filmmaker will be showcased on TribecaFilm.com. Rounding out the opportunities for online storytellers is the second annual Creators Market, which connects online creators with the industry, including buyers, producers and brands, and supports the creation, sale, and showcase of new online works. The N.O.W. program has become known for its curatorial expertise in discovering emerging talent. Discoveries include High Maintenance from Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld, which was picked up byHBO; Money & Violence from Moise Vernau, whose second season was picked up by Jay-Z’s Tidal; and up-and-coming talent like Brian Jordan Alvarez, whose 2016 N.O.W. series The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo went on to receive a Breakthrough Series – Short Form nomination at the Gotham Awards.

N.O.W. SPECIAL SCREENINGS

A selection of high-profile content from the industry’s leading digital networks and online talent playing as official Special Screenings of TFF. Awake, A Dream from Standing Rock, directed by Josh Fox, James Spione, Myron Dewey, written by Floris White Bull, Josh Fox, Myron Dewey. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Standing Rock North Dakota became one of the most watched places on earth. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe captured world attention through their peaceful resistance. While many may know the details, Awake, A Dream from Standing Rock, executive produced by Shailene Woodley, captures the story of Native-led defiance that forever changed how we fight for clean water, our environment and the future of our planet.  Crypt TV’s Monster Madness, directed by Ben Franklin & Anthony Melton, Alexander Babaev, Jon Kovel, Nicholas Mihm, John William Ross, Gabriel Younes and more. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative and Non-Scripted. Crypt TV’s Monster Madness features some of the best and biggest character shorts from the digital brand’s scaremakers. From a stunningly terrifying protector of the bullied to a child’s toy that reveals horrors around every corner of a suburban home to the real life tale of a man whose body is stretched and pierced into a piece of daring art, Crypt shorts proudly embrace the horror lifestyle. The Birch (directed by: Ben Franklin & Anthony Melton) My First Day (directed by: Jon Kovel) Odd Jobs: Body Modification (directed by: Nicholas Mihm) Stereoscope (directed by: Alexander Babaev) Sunny Family Cult (directed by: Gabriel Younes) The Thing in the Apartment (directed by: John William Ross) 

Out of This World: Female Filmmakers in Genre

An evening of three diverse works from female filmmakers working online in the genre sphere. From post-apocalyptic love and telekinetic mother/daughter relations to an unseen predator in a mining town, these stories from up-and-coming online studios DUST, Stage 13 and Adaptive Studios, artfully skew everyday travails into the bizarre and visually fantastic. YOYO, directed by Nicole Delaney. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Caroline can’t stand that she is a virgin…And then the world ends. In post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, after a dust storm has wiped out humanity, she meets Francis and is convinced that he’s the man to pop her cherry. YOYO is a heartfelt, dark comedy about finding meaning in life, even when life ceases to exist.​ With: Martin Starr, Sophie von Haselberg. Presented by DUST and Gunpowder & Sky. Two Sentence Horror Stories: MA, directed by Vera Miao. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Like many traditional Chinese families, Mona still lives at home with her stern but loving Ma.When she meets cute Erica, their instant chemistry awakens something dormant inside. But Ma is not going to let her daughter go easily. Because nothing is allowed to come between a mother and daughter. With: Wei Yi Lin, Ayesha Harris, Mardy Ma. A Stage 13 production. Pineapple (Episodes 1 & 2), directed by Arkasha Stevenson. (USA) – New York Premiere, Narrative. The local coal mine in the town of Black Rock becomes a crime scene when a miner’s daughter is assaulted in its tunnels. She utters only one word, which leaves the town baffled: “pineapple.” Tensions rise as the mine’s opportunistic owner uses the investigation as an excuse to shutter the dying operation indefinitely. With: Tyler Vickers, Kel Owens, Ron Gilbert, Gloria Vonn, Lucille Sharp, Brooklyn Robinson. An Adaptive Studios production. 

THE NEW YORK TIMES’ Op-Docs

The New York Times’ Op-Docs poignantly explore relatable struggles faced by everyday citizens.  From immigrant families overwhelming first night in America, to women struggling with Louisiana mandated abortion waiting periods, to a Japanese man’s attempt to both parent his young child and provide palliative care for his mother, the short films provide a window into universal experiences and acutely relevant conversations. Undue Burden, directed by Gina Pollack. (USA) – New York Premiere. When you live in a state with laws that restrict access to abortion, an unwanted pregnancy is only the start of your difficulties. Taller Than the Trees, directed by Megan Mylan. (USA) – Special Screening. Japanese men haven’t traditionally been caregivers. But for Masami Hayata, it’s a crucial part of raising his family. Hotel U.S.A., directed by Andrea Meller & Marisa Pearl. (USA) – New York Premiere. For refugee families, the very first night in the U.S. can be an exciting and bewildering experience.

 N.O.W. SHOWCASE (and Creators Market Participants)

A curated selection of 10 independent, online creators invited to showcase their latest work on TribecaFilm.com and at two public screenings as official Tribeca selections.

SHOWCASE A

The Holdouts, directed by Ramon Campos Iriarte (Colombia) – World Premiere. The Western hemisphere’s oldest civil war is still going strong in the jungles of Colombia. The National Liberation Army (ELN) —a Marxist military organization— has been fighting for revolution since 1964, and with the FARC having declared a ceasefire, the ELN is today the last active guerrilla army in the Americas. In Spanish, English with subtitles. Ramon Campos Iriarte is a producer and filmmaker with a photography and journalism background, and extensive experience working in the field. He started his career working on commercial television, and then specialized in documentary production, focusing on environmental and social subjects mainly in the Americas Midnight Service, directed by Dean Colin Marcial and produced by Brett Potter (USA) – World Premiere. Midnight Service is a true-crime series about urban legends, notorious criminals, occult pop culture, and first-hand accounts of the unknown. Dean Colin Marcial is an international filmmaker working in New York and Manila. In 2009, he apprenticed under Antonio Campos, Josh Mond, and Sean Durkin of Borderline Films. In 2010, he co-founded Calavera USA, an award-winning production company. In 2014 he co-directed Sea Devil with Brett Potter, a Vimeo Staff-Picked short that went on to play festivals worldwide, garnering prizes at Fantasia and Slamdance. Brett Potter is a filmmaker and producer. He co-founded production services company Meadow Street Films and is also chairman of the board at Borscht, a film and arts non-profit. As a narrative producer, his films have premiered and won jury prizes at Sundance, SXSW, AFI, Rotterdam and more. Brett was a 2014 fellow at the Sundance Creative Producing Institute. Most recently he directed a raunchy game show pilot for Time Warner 150. New Deep South, created by Lauren Cioffi and Rosie Haber (USA) – World Premiere. This series explores the vibrant and multifaceted queer culture emerging in the American South. Playing against old stereotypes of Mississippi as a state of social conservatism and stagnation, we follow the lives of queer youth to explore the tangled and complex nature of sexual identity in the New Deep South. Lauren Cioffi is a documentary producer and shooter who has worked with award winning directors Margaret Brown, Liza Mandelup, and Amber Fares. In her free time, she programs for Sundance. Their film Instababy took home the audience award at LAFF after their digital series New Deep South was hailed by Jill Soloway as her favorite show. Rosie Haber is a graduate of Film Independent’s Project Involve, the Outfest Screenwriting lab, and AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women. She has won the Jury prize for dramatic shorts at Outfest and the audience award at LAFF. She is the writer of the screenplay adaptation of the iconic transgender novel, “Stone Butch Blues.” New York is Dead, produced by Jenn Harris, Matthew Wilkas, and Randy Harrison and directed by Matthew Wilkas (USA) – World Premiere. A darkly hilarious webseries about two broke NYC artists who become hitmen to make ends meet. Bio: Jenn Harris is an actress/writer/producer best known for her co-starring role in the film Gayby and playing Jodi Foster in the hit Off-Broadway musical “Silence! The Musical.” She has written and performed her solo show in NYC and was a writer for CNE and “Billy on the Street.” Matthew Wilkas is an actor/playwright/screenwriter also known for his co-starring role in the film Gayby. His play “Big Babies” was at the Vineyard Arts Project and Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre. His play “Pageant Play” was published by Dramatist Play Services after its production at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. New York is Dead is Randy Harrison’s directorial debut. He is best known for playing Justin Taylor for five seasons on Showtime’s acclaimed series Queer as Folk. Woman of a Certain Age, created, written by, and starring Kate Dearing, co-directed by Amanda Cowper and Sami Kriegstein and co-produced by Dearing, Cowper and Kriegstein- (USA) World Premiere. Kate confronts the daily challenges of being an adult, she is spontaneously visited by versions of herself at different ages – each offering their “best” advice. Like “A Christmas Carol” but without the pesky morals, Woman of a Certain Age explores what happens when we actually listen to the voices in our head. Kate Dearing is an actor/writer who has worked on numerous series, including High Maintenance, Good Neighbor Presents  and The Outs. Recently, she won Best Actress at LA Comedy Fest for,Starting Out. Dearing is also the co-creator of Doin’ Everythin’ a sketch series that has been featured on JASH, CollegeHumor, and Huffington Post Comedy. Sami Kriegstein is a creative EP who made her mark at Maker Studios, Fullscreen Media, Caviar Content, Astronauts Wanted, and most recently, Refinery29. In 2010 she founded the Los Angeles Music Video Festival and in 2016 produced her first feature length documentary, Figures of Speech. Amanda Cowper is a producer and director who is currently the Associate Producer on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers. Cowper previously worked at Peacock Productions.

SHOWCASE B

HEROIN, directed by Jessica Beshir (USA) – World Premiere. For an artist, free will is just an illusion. Heroin explores the creative process, inspiration and alternative reality of an artist. Jessica Beshir is a first-time filmmaker. Raised in Mexico and Ethiopia by parents from each country, Beshir’s multi-cultural heritage and perspective makes her a perfect fit for the diverse New York filmmaking community.  I LIVED: Brooklyn, directed by Jonathan Nelson and produced by Danielle Andersen (USA) – World Premiere. I LIVED: Brooklyn was created by director/cinematographer Jonathan Nelson and audio producer Danielle Andersen. Nelson and Andersen both live in Brooklyn and I LIVED was born from a desire to investigate the intricacies of place and identity in the borough’s distinct neighborhoods. Jonathan Nelson has worked in the New York film industry for the past ten years and has credits on prominent documentaries such as Twenty Feet From Stardom and last year’s The Witness. Danielle Andersen works as a field producer and outreach coordinator for the national oral history non-profit StoryCorps. Phone Calls, co-directed by Bonnie Wright and Martin Cohn (USA) – World Premiere. Phone Calls is an anthology series of conversations exploring the way people speak to each other when not face to face. Free of physical proximity, a space is born in which personal truths and, often times, ugliness is unleashed by those closest to you as well as those most foreign.   Bonnie Wright’s directorial debut, Separate We Come, Separate We Go premiered at Cannes. She went on to direct a music video for Sophie Lowe and wrote and directed the short film, Know Thyself, which develops Wright’s fascination with landscape and feeling. Wright is currently developing an exhibition, SEXTANT. Martin Cohn, primarily an actor, found his way into screenwriting as an extension of his love for storytelling. He is a core member of London-based performance company, Theo Adams Company.Phone Calls marks his first foray into screenwriting. Shiva, Bankrukt Productions (Jeff Seal, Shaina Feinberg, Chris Roberti, Chris Manley) (USA) – World Premiere. Improvised vignettes from an Upper West Side Shiva, exploring the absurd, mundane, sad and spiritual. There will be lox. Jeff Seal is a comedian and filmmaker. His videos on dumpster diving and train hopping both made it to the front page of Reddit. Seal is a graduate of the Clown Conservatory and studied mime in Paris. Shaina Feinberg’s award-winning feature film, The Babymooners, blurred the lines between documentary and fiction. She made a cha cha album called “Everyday I Cha Cha Cha.” Chris Roberti is an actor and writer who can be seen in Broad City (Comedy Central), and High Maintenance (HBO). He performs throughout the city in places such as the Peoples Improv Theater and UCB. Chris Manley made an award winning film, The Babymooners. He is a founder at Bankrukt Productions and has had a hand in making over 150 short films as part of the creative team. The Show About The Show, directed by Caveh Zahedi (USA) – World Premiere. The Show About The Show is Caveh Zahedi’s self-referential scripted meta-series about a Brooklyn filmmaker trying to make a TV show. Co-starring Alex Karpovsky, Eleonore Hendricks, Dustin Defa, and a who’s who of Brooklyn’s independent filmmaking community, it tells the story of everything that can and does go wrong in trying to get a television series funded, produced, and distributed. Caveh Zahedi is an autobiographical American independent filmmaker whose films include I Am A Sex Addict (2005), In The Bathtub of the World (2001), I Don’t Hate Las Vegas Anymore (1994), andA Little Stiff (1991).

N.O.W. CREATORS MARKET

A daylong, private industry market that brings together leading online creators/talent looking to pitch new projects with a curated group of industry (distributors, brands, MCNs) with particular interest in engaging up-and-coming online talent. Azie Mira Dungey After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Azie Mira Dungey moved to LA and created her critically acclaimed comedy web series Ask A Slave; this sparked her career in television. Dungey is currently an Executive Story Editor on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and she recently closed the deal to write her first book “How I Survived the 18th Century.” Arkasha Stevenson Arkasha Stevenson is a Los Angeles–based writer and director, and a recent graduate from the American Film Institute. Her thesis film, Vessels, was awarded the 2015 Iris Prize. Prior to attending film school, Stevenson worked as a photojournalist at the Los Angeles Times, which greatly informs her narrative filmmaking. Christian Larrave Christian Larrave is a filmmaker, musician, and artist from Dallas, TX whose work has screened at over 70 festivals and galleries across the world, and often involves a mixture of comedy and existential unease. He has a BFA in Animation from the Rhode Island School of Design and currently resides in New York City, where he works as a production artist. Dom Fera Dom Fera is a writer, director, actor, and composer raised in New Jersey and living in Los Angeles. Fera graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for Film & TV in 2014, and has run his YouTube channel since 2006. The channel has picked up over 82 million video views thanks to a varied collection of short films, sketches, and animations. Hazel Hayes Hazel Hayes is a director, writer, actor and vlogger. She has a thriving community of over 230,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel. As an independent filmmaker, she has written, directed and starred in a number of sketches and short films. Hayes is heavily inspired by science fiction and horror. Hye Yun Park Hye Yun Park is an actor, writer, filmmaker, who has written and performed in several short films and created 2 seasons of the award winning web series, Hey Yun. When not making videos, Park is clowning around town or acting in other people’s films. Her new web series BKPI is a comedy about 3 female private investigators in Brooklyn. Jacquelyn Ryan, Kyle Brown, Katie Micay Jacquelyn Ryan is currently production supervisor on Pretty Little Liars and Famous In Love, and production coordinator on the John Wells production American Woman. Jacquelyn produced the digital series Hers and History and the indie web series Slave 4U. She is also the founder of a nonprofit called Wide Angle Film Center, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports a more sustainable and diverse media industry. Kyle Bown is a writer/producer who began his career moving from show to show, putting in time at hits such as The Mentalist, Heroes and Scrubs. He found a home when he landed on Pretty Little Liars, where he has been fortunate enough to co-write two episodes. He also co-wrote the short film The Firefly Girls and is a Creative Executive at Long Lake Media. Katie Micay graduated from Loyola Marymount University’s film production program. Her short film Limited Engagement was an Official Selection of the Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival.  Her second film My So Called Family was an Official Selection of the Bel Air Film Festival. Her third short film, Flirt, was an Official Selection of the Reality Bytes Film Festival. Lisa Ebersole Lisa Ebersole is an award-winning playwright and filmmaker. Her plays have been produced Off-Broadway and regionally: “Baby” (Best of The Fringe Festival), “Mother” (starring Buck Henry and Holland Taylor), “Brother” (published by Samuel French). Ebersole’s films include the feature film Brother (Tribeca Cinemas), the short Puddin’ (Palm Springs Film Festival), and the web series 37 Problems (Austin Film Festival). Lyle Friedman Lyle Friedman is currently an Executive Story Editor for Darren Star’s hit TV show, Younger. She is an alumni of UCB and the LAByrinth Theatre Company in New York. Friedman co-created the web series #hotmessmoves. Patrick Starrr Patrick Starrr is a beauty guru and LGBTQ activist. He has over 2.9 million Instagram followers and 2 million YouTube subscribers. Starrr recently attended New York Fashion Week as a backstage correspondent for Time Inc. (People, EW, InStyle) and hosted NBC’s Hairspray Live’s live stream alongside Manny Mua and Glee’s Darren Criss. Starrr has collaborated with countless celebrities such as Jessie J, Tyra Banks, Shay Mitchell and more. Paul Gale Paul Gale is an NYC-based comedic filmmaker whose work has been featured on the front pages of Reddit, BuzzFeed, and USA Today. He’s made content for companies like Broadway Video, MTV and The Huffington Post, and, if you’re in from out of town, he’s happy to make restaurant recommendations. Smaranda Luna, Michelle Flanagan Smaranda Luna is an Eastern-European actress, stand up comedian, writer, and improviser. She immigrated to the U.S on a Fulbright scholarship after graduating from the National Drama Conservatory in Bucharest, Romania. After getting her MFA in Acting from UT Austin, she relocated to Los Angeles. Her credits include Closer to the Moon, Harley and the Davidsons and numerous theatre productions. Michelle Flanagan is a performer and writer originally from Austin, where she worked with a number of theatre companies and received a degree in Theatre from the University of Texas. Since moving to Los Angeles, her voice work has been featured on Adult Swim’s China, IL, and she performs improv and character sketches at UCB, iO West, and Second City. Starsha Gill Starsha Gill is a Chicago-based filmmaker. The writer, star, and director of Jon and Starsha are Having a Baby (Official Selection, Los Angeles Film Festival 2015), also co-starred and co-wrote the feature film Cat Scratch Fever which premiered at the Brooklyn Film Festival. Gill’s most recent project, a web series entitled The Elephant in the Room, draws on her experience as a young mother in Brooklyn. Vera Miao Vera Miao is a child of Chinese immigrants and the writer/director/EP of Two Sentence Horror Stories. Her feature, Best Friends Forever, premiered at Slamdance. At First was part of the Film Independent Screenwriting Lab and Sundance/WIF Financing Intensive. Miao was a fellow of the 2016 Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program. Zane Rubin Zane Rubin is a nineteen year-old filmmaker from Los Angeles. Getting her start at the age of fifteen, Zane has written, directed, and acted in six shorts and a feature. Her work has been featured on Huffington Post, Wifey.tv, BUST, as well as a few festivals. It showcases the perspective of a teenage girl without the presence of curfews, parents, and homework, while addressing her debilitating anxiety and aversion to “the system.”

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[caption id="attachment_21690" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Tituss Burgess as Titus Andromedon in UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT.[/caption] The 2017 Tribeca Film Festival today announced the lineup for the television festival, Tribeca TV, featuring a mix of world premieres of some of the most talked-about new series, including The Handmaid’s Tale and Genius, season debuts of audience favorites such as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Episodes, as well as documentary special previews, and indie pilots. Premiere screenings will be followed by dynamic conversations with some of the most creative and well-known actors, directors, writers, and producers in the business. Tribeca TV, which will run during the festival’s 16th edition, features 15 shows including five series premieres, four season premieres, three independent pilots, one feature documentary, and one very special sneak peek. The Tribeca Film Festival takes place April 19-30. Tribeca TV debuted last year and launched a diverse selection of shows that went on to critical acclaim and commercial success, including HBO’s The Night Of and AMC’s The Night Manager. This year’s lineup includes series premieres of: Hulu’s highly anticipated The Handmaid’s Tale, followed by a conversation with the dynamic cast of Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Alexis Bledel, Samira Wiley, and Max Minghella; NatGeo’s first scripted series Genius about the fascinating life of Albert Einstein, followed by a conversation with executive producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, who also directs the first episode, and stars Emily Watson and Geoffrey Rush; USA’s crime thriller anthology series The Sinner, followed by a conversation with stars Jessica Biel and Bill Pullman, and director Antonio Campos; and There’s … Johnny!, from NBC’s new comedy service SeeSo, followed by a conversation with showrunners and cast including executive producers Paul Reiser and David Gordon Green, and star Tony Danza. “Coming off of a very successful first year of Tribeca TV, we curated this year’s program to include an expanded, exceptional lineup of top-notch shows and dynamic storytellers both in front of and behind the camera,” said Cara Cusumano, Director of Programming at the Tribeca Film Festival. “As the TV landscape continues to evolve in exciting, cinematic directions, the festival creates a unique opportunity for audiences to discover together on a big screen what everyone else will eventually be talking about from their couches at home.” Highlights also include season premieres of audience favorites including: season three premiere of the Netflix original series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, followed by a conversation with executive producers Tina Fey and Robert Carlock and stars Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski and Carol Kane; the premiere of Showtime’s Episodes’ final season, followed by a conversation between Matt LeBlanc and creators David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik; season three premiere of Hulu’s family comedy Casual, followed by a conversation with creator Zander Lehmann, as well as executive producers and cast members; and season three premiere of Comedy Central’s Another Period, followed by a conversation with creators, writers, and stars Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome. Tribeca TV will also host a special event for CNN’s new series Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History, executive produced by Dwayne Johnson, which explores music as a driving force behind social change, with the premiere of the series’ 9/11 episode at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. SpikeTV will premiere a new installment of their feature documentary series I Am, an inside look at the life of Heath Ledger, as told by his inner circle. Additionally, the new independent variety show from the mastermind behind collective: unconscious, The Eyeslicer will premiere at the Festival, bringing together the next generation of alternative Americans under one strange roof. This year Tribeca TV will highlight the work of independent productions for the first time, as part of the Festival’s mission of creator discovery. These three original new pilots will premiere together during a special event followed by a conversation with the creators: Black Magic for White Boys, Lost & Found, and Manic. Ken Burns will be honored for his unparalleled work as one of the most influential and celebrated historical documentarians with the Festival’s new Citizen Filmmaker Award. Following the presentation, audience members will screen a special sneak-peek created especially for Tribeca of The Vietnam War, the unprecedented 10-part, 18 hour documentary film series about the Vietnam War directed by Burns and Lynn Novick, which will air on PBS this fall.

The TRIBECA TV Lineup:

Another Period (Comedy Central) – Season 3 World Premiere Executive Producers: Natasha Leggero, Riki Lindhome, Jeremy Konner, Debbie Liebling, Stuart Cornfeld, Mike Rosenstein, Ben Stiller. Another Period tells the incredible story of the Bellacourt sisters, Lillian and Beatrice (played by Leggero and Lindhome). Defined by their family’s wealth, they care only about becoming super famous — which is a lot harder in 1902. The show follows the insanely decadent and outrageous life of the Bellacourt coterie. Before others claimed their fame, they were the one American family who epitomized all that was spoiled, shameless and stupid. The Bellacourts have more servants than relatives and days filled with money, sex, drugs…and more money. Casual (Hulu) – Season 3 World Premiere Executive Producers: Zander Lehmann, Liz Tigelaar, Helen Estabrook, Jason Reitman. Season 3 returns with everyone’s favorite co-dependent siblings Valerie and Alex. They continue to live deep in each other’s emotional lives as they raise Valerie’s daughter Laura. Following dramatic life changes at the end of the last season, Valerie and Alex are adjusting to a new normal while continuing to struggle to maintain boundaries with each other. Episodes (Showtime) – Final Season Premiere Executive Producer: Jimmy Mulville. Episodes, the award-winning, razor-sharp comedy about the insanity of making a television show, returns for its fifth and final season. Lauded English television writers Sean and Beverly Lincoln were lured to Hollywood to adapt their much-loved British boarding-school comedy, Lyman’s Boys. Their American network has mangled the show into Pucks!, a sitcom about a high school hockey coach starring Matt LeBlanc (played brilliantly by himself). After a dismal run, the sitcom was finally put out of its misery. Now Sean and Beverly struggle to create a successful new project in this country without completely losing their integrity, while Matt desperately attempts to revitalize his disappearing acting career. The Eyeslicer – New Series Premiere Executive Producers: Dan Schoenbrun, Vanessa McDonnell. The Eyeslicer is a new variety TV show that brings the next generation of alternative American filmmakers together under one strange roof. The hour-long show will slice, dice, and then mince your eyeballs into delicious ceviche. Each episode is a handcrafted mixtape, blending boundary-pushing short form work into a weird, wild, uninterrupted whole. The Eyeslicer premieres at Tribeca with the episode “Facial Reconstruction”, featuring work from acclaimed indie filmmakers Lauren Wolkstein, Erin Vassilopoulos, Shaka King, Danny Madden, and Leah Shore. Genius (National Geographic) – New Series World Premiere Executive Producers: Ken Biller, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Gigi Pritzker, Sam Sokolow. Genius charts how Albert Einstein (Geoffrey Rush), an imaginative, rebellious patent clerk who struggled to land an academic post in his early years, went on to become the greatest scientific mind of the 20th century. The show explores his rise as he juggles his volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships. Based on Walter Isaacson’s acclaimed biography. The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu, MGM) – New Series World Premiere Executive Producer: Bruce Miller. Based on Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed novel, The Handmaid’s Tale is the story of Gilead, a modern-day totalitarian society facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, ruled by a fundamentalist regime that treats women as property. As one of the few fertile women, Offred is forced into sexual servitude in a desperate attempt to repopulate the world. In a society where one wrong word could end her life, Offred has one goal: survive and find the daughter taken from her. I Am Heath Ledger (Spike TV) – World Premiere Producer/Co-Director: Derik Murray. Co-Director: Adrian Buitenhuis. Told through excerpts of his greatest performances, interviews with friends and family (including Ben Mendelsohn, Naomi Watts, Ang Lee, and Ben Harper), and the lens of his own camera, I Am Heath Ledger is an intimate celebration of the actor, artist, and icon. An artist of exceptional depth and courage, Ledger was equally talented behind the camera. This stirring documentary paints a rich portrait of one of the great artists of his generation. The Sinner (USA/Universal Cable Productions) – New Series World Premiere Executive Producers: Derek Simonds, Jessica Biel, Michelle Purple, Charlie Gogolak. A young mother is overcome by an inexplicable fit of rage and commits a startling act of violence. The event launches an inverted and utterly surprising crime thriller whose driving force is not the “who” or the “what,”—but the “why.” Soon the investigator finds himself obsessed with uncovering the woman’s buried motive. From Universal Cable Productions, The Sinner is a riveting psychological thriller, with a pilot stylishly directed by acclaimed filmmaker Antonio Campos (Afterschool, Christine). After the episode: A conversation with executive producer and director of the pilot Antonio Campos, executive producer Derek Simonds, executive producer and cast member Jessica Biel, and cast members Christopher Abbott and Bill Pullman. Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History (CNN) Executive Producers: Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Maro Chermayeff, Jeff Dupre. Soundtracks explores seminal moments in history through the music that defines them. Featuring original interviews with legendary musicians as well as celebrated journalists, historians, and writers, the series reveals how music has been a driving force behind social change. In a Tribeca screening at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York, the show will explore how songs like Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” took on new and heightened meaning, as music took center stage for a country fighting to heal. Co-hosted by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. After the episode: A conversation with CNN anchor of New Day, Chris Cuomo, and professor at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, Jason King. Moderated by Executive Vice President and Deputy Director for Museum Programs at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Clifford Chanin. There’s… Johnny! (Seeso) – New Series World Premiere Executive Producers: Paul Reiser, David Steven Simon, David Gordon Green, Jeff Sotzing, Brian Volk-Weiss, Craig Knizek, Cisco Henson, Michael Pelmont, Matt Ochacher, Evan Shapiro, Kelsey Balance. It’s 1972, and everyone goes to bed together… with Johnny Carson, TV’s biggest star. 19 year old Nebraskan Andy Klavin stumbles his way into a gig as a gofer at Carson’s “The Tonight Show” and into a world that will change his life. There’s… Johnny! takes a fictional comedic trip back in time, to go behind the man in front of the curtain, and look at the lives and loves of the people who make all of America laugh. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix) – Season 3 World Premiere Executive Producers: Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, Jeff Richmond, David Miner​. After living in a cult for fifteen years, Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) decides to reclaim her life and start over in New York City. Season 3 opens with Kimmy in an unfamiliar position with the Reverend back in her life. Meanwhile, Titus returns from his cruise and auditions for an exciting new role, and Lillian has to break up with her boyfriend Robert Durst.​​ The Vietnam War (PBS) – Special Sneak Peek Producers: Sarah Botstein, Ken Burns, Lynn Novick. Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s ten-part, 18-hour documentary series tells the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never been told before. Featuring testimony from nearly 100 witnesses, including Americans who fought in the war,those who opposed it, and Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides. The Vietnam War is an immersive, 360 degree narrative of a seminal period of history Pilot Season For the first time in 2017, Tribeca opened submissions to independently produced TV pilots. This showcase program represents the strongest new voices bringing their talents to the episodic space. Black Magic for White Boys – World Premiere Executive Producers: Jamie Block, Ronald Guttman. An aging magician is about to lose his small New York theater, but has a devilish plan to save it. A middle-aged man finds his sovereignty in jeopardy when he impregnates a woman he barely knows. A real estate mogul is frustrated that he can’t raise the rent on this tenants. These characters converge in Tribeca alum Onur Tukel’s bizarre comic tale about testing boundaries, gentrification, and how old New York is fading away. With: Onur Tukel, Ronald Guttman, Jamie Block. Lost & Found – World Premiere Executive Producers: Haroula Rose, Melonie Diaz. Stella and Ian are separating. But for this modern LA couple, that’s nothing to be sad or ashamed about. They decide to host an “un-wedding” party to celebrate. As friends and family descend on their home for the occasion, secrets are revealed and loyalties tested in this comedy-drama about family, friendship, and marriage. With: Melonie Diaz, Will Janowitz, Jennifer LeFleur, Terence Nance, Avi Rothman, Laura Lee Botsacos, Abby Wathen, Nick Thurston, Haroula Rose, Ethan Gold. Manic – World Premiere Executive Producers: Kimberley Browning, Kate Marks. Aurora Carter, an Ivy League-bound, AP Exam enthusiast finds that her over-achieving obsessiveness lands her in a boarding school for kids with mental illnesses. Now she has a singular goal: prove she doesn’t belong with the rest of the freaks. Determined to fight the system, Aurora makes alliances with the other girls one by one and inspires them to take control of their lives. With: Shanice Williams, Dot-Marie Jones, Russell Andrews, Nicki Micheaux, VyVy Nguyen.

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[caption id="attachment_21680" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Tribeca Talks: Directors Series: Jon Favreau with Scarlett Johansson.[/caption] The exciting lineup of panels and discussions for 2017 Tribeca Talks will feature the industry’s most successful filmmakers, artists, and entertainers, including: Noah Baumbach, Kathryn Bigelow, Kobe Bryant, Common, Lena Dunham, Jon Favreau, and Bruce Springsteen, as well as previously announced participants Alejandro González Iñárritu and Barbra Streisand. The Tribeca Talks program will run throughout the 16th annual Tribeca Film Festival, taking place April 19-30. Intimate one-on-one discussions are a hallmark of the Tribeca Talks: Directors Series and Tribeca Talks: Storytellers Series. Acclaimed directors participating in the Tribeca Talks: Directors Series include Jon Favreau in conversation with Scarlett Johansson, Noah Baumbach with Dustin Hoffman, and a conversation with Alejandro González Iñárritu. Now in its second year, Tribeca Talks: Storytellers, which spotlights pioneering creators who work across mediums to tell their stories, will feature Common in conversation with Nelson George, Kobe Bryant and legendary animator Glen Keane with Michael Strahan, a conversation with Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner, Bruce Springsteen with Tom Hanks, and Barbra Streisand in conversation with Robert Rodriguez. For the first time, the Festival will feature a Virtual Reality Premiere Talk Event with Kathryn Bigelow and Imraan Ismail. The popular Tribeca Talks: Master Class conversations return with a focus on specific sectors of the filmmaking process, including cinematography with Ellen Kuras, production and costume design, and creating sound and music for film.

The 2017 Tribeca Talks series 

Tribeca Talks: Directors Series

Today’s most groundbreaking filmmakers discuss their careers and highlights. Jon Favreau with Scarlett Johansson Filmmaker Jon Favreau will talk to actress Scarlett Johansson about his distinguished and diverse career as a director, successful across both indie and blockbuster franchises, ranging from the indie hit Swingers to the blockbuster Iron Man ​series. He will also discuss his initiation into virtual reality with Gnomes & Goblins ​and the landmark live action effort, The Jungle Book, truly embodying the spirit of a director who knows no bounds. Alejandro González Iñárritu Academy Award^®-winning filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu, one of only three directors to ever win consecutive Oscars and the first to do so in 65 years, will talk about his beautifully varied work on films such as Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Biutiful, Babel, and most recently, The Revenant. Iñárritu is the first Mexican filmmaker to have been nominated for Best Director and Best Producer in the history of the Academy Awards. Noah Baumbach with Dustin Hoffman Dustin Hoffman will speak with director and writer Noah Baumbach about his career, which includes his Academy Award^®-nominated film The Squid and the Whale and the groundbreaking Frances Ha. 

Tribeca Talks: Virtual Reality

Kathryn Bigelow and Imraan Ismail – The Protectors At a special VR premiere, Academy Award^®-winning director Kathryn Bigelow and co-creator Imraan Ismail discuss their collaboration on Virtual Reality documentary The Protectors: A Walk in the Ranger’s Shoes. The experience, from National Geographic, Here Be Dragons, Annapurna Pictures, and African Parks chronicles a day in the life of the rangers in Garamba National Park. Conversation to be followed by the VR premiere.

Tribeca Talks: Storytellers

Some of today’s most innovative creators broke from traditional roles and pioneered their own forms of storytelling, often mastering multiple mediums. This series will celebrate the illustrious careers of those individuals who have broken from the mold. Kobe Bryant and Glen Keane with Michael Strahan Basketball great Kobe Bryant collaborated with visionary animator Glen Keane on an animated short film that explores what it is like to say goodbye to something you love. In an onstage conversation led by Hall of Famer, NFL analyst on Fox and co-host of Good Morning America, Michael Strahan, Bryant and Keane focus on what story means to them and what it is like to truly step out of your own lane. Common with Nelson George Beginning as a rapper in Chicago, Academy Award^®, Golden Globe, and three time Grammy winner Common has crafted an impressive career as a renowned hip-hop artist and notable actor. Director/screenwriter Nelson George joins Common to discuss the power of the combination of film and music. After the Movie: This conversation will begin with a screening of a never-before-seen extended version of Letter to the Free, followed by a conversation with Nelson George and a live performance by Common. Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner Initially discovered for her original voice in breakout film Tiny Furniture, Lena Dunham has since gone on to win a Golden Globe for her performance in Girls, which was created by Dunham and is helmed by Jenni Konner, whose other work includes the series Help Me Help You. The duo also co-founded the media brand Lenny, home of the feminist weekly newsletter Lenny Letter (LennyLetter.com). In a can’t miss conversation, Dunham and Konner will discuss Girls, the industry, and the highs and lows of their careers. Bruce Springsteen with Tom Hanks Bruce Springsteen has had an illustrious career spanning over 40 years of unforgettable cultural achievements. The musician sits down with celebrated actor and longtime friend Tom Hanks to discuss Springsteen’s unique place in American musical history and look forward to the future. Barbra Streisand with Robert Rodriguez Widely recognized as an icon in multiple entertainment fields, Barbra Streisand has attained unprecedented achievements as a recording artist, actor, director, producer, concert performer, author and songwriter. Streisand has been awarded two Oscars^®, five Emmys, ten Golden Globes, eight Grammys plus two special Grammys, a special Tony award in 1970, and two CableACE Awards – the only artist to receive honors in all of those fields of endeavor. She will converse on her unparalleled career and force field of creativity with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. 

Tribeca Talks: Master Class (Free events)

Tribeca Talks: Master Class are free events featuring conversations focusing on a specific sector of the filmmaking process. Dolby: Image and Sound Master Class with Imogen Heap The new animated short film Escape utilizes exciting new imaging and sound technologies, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, to present a euphoric vision of the future. Join composer/sound designer Imogen Heap, directors Limbert Fabian and Brandon Oldenburg, and other members of the film’s creative team as they discuss how they used audio technologies to tell this compelling story Production and Costume Design Master Class Kristi Zea, the venerated production designer who has collaborated with directors such as Martin Scorsese and Jonathan Demme, sits down with a prominent costume designer for a conversation about creating the overall look and feel of film. Cinematography Master Class Acclaimed cinematographer Ellen Kuras, frequent collaborator with directors Michel Gondry and Spike Lee, takes you behind the camera, from choosing the right lenses to crafting a specific vision. Academy Award-nominated for her directorial debut documentary film, The Betrayal – Nerakhoon, she will offer tips and provide examples from her work on films including Blow and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. 

Tribeca Talks: Podcasts

This year the Tribeca Film Festival partners with Slate to offer access to podcasts covering culture and political humor, as well as the popular Gilbert Gottfried comedy podcast. Live from The Tribeca Film Festival: Slate’s Represent Slate’s Represent is a space for discussion about culture created by women, people of color, and those in the LGBTQ community. Host Aisha Harris dives deep into conversations with critics about the latest pop cultural news, and filmmakers in the industry about what they do and how they do it.  Live from The Tribeca Film Festival: Slate’s Trumpcast Get a dose of politics and comedy with Slate’s Trumpcast Live. Host Jacob Weisberg is joined by Slate Chief Political Correspondent Jamelle Bouie, author Virginia Heffernan, and more for a frank conversation on the first 100 days of the Trump administration. Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast! Live Acclaimed comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried and cohost Frank Santopadre are joined by special celebrity guests for a live recording of their hilarious and informative podcast. Vanity Fair called “Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast!” “gripping” and the Village Voice named it 2015’s “Best Podcast of the Year.”

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