Tribeca

Zach Braff was a busy man last week, hitting up multiple events to hype his starring role in Deborah Chow's Montreal-set indie love story, "The High Cost of Living." First up was an Apple and indieWIRE Meet the Tribeca Filmmaker chat at the Apple store in SoHo, where he dished on making the film North of the border. He was joined by co-star Isabelle Blais (left) and Chow (right). The next night saw the three reunite for a special screening of their drama in Chelsea, followed by an intimate after party at the Mondrian SoHo's Penthouse. [Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE]

"Last Night" director Massy Tadjedin (left) and actress Eva Mendes (right) dropped by the Apple Store in SoHo last night to take part in Apple and indieWIRE's Meet the Tribeca Filmmaker chat series. "You have to be ready to fight to the death to be seen in something different," said Mendes on how she avoids stereotypical Latina roles.

"What a turn out," Will Ferrell said as he took the stage at the Apple Store SoHo for a Tribeca Talk with his "Everything Must Go" director Dan Rush. "I was just at the Hewlett Packard store and it was nothing like this. Maybe 20 people. So this is amazing." For full video of the talk - moderated by Eugene Hernandez - click here.

The Tribeca Film Festival and Persol hosted a delicious Directors Brunch this afternoon at the City Hall Restaurant in the heart of Tribeca. Pictured above from left to right: "New York Says Thank You" director Scott Rettberg, Tribeca Film Festival executive director Nancy Schafer and "Rid of Me" director James Westby.

Griffin Dunne (left), director Massy Tadjedin and Eva Mendes were joined by Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Robert De Niro at the Tribeca Film Festival and Cinema Society premiere of the romantic drama "Last Night," last night in Manhattan. Following the screening, guests all flocked to hot spot Avenue. Attendees included: Scott Adsit ("30 Rock"), Jane Rosenthal, Liev Schreiber, Gina Gershon, Epatha Merkerson, Josh Hopkins ("Cougartown"), Dionne Warwick, Russell Simmons, Nina Dobrev ("Vampire Diaries"), Ian Somerhalder ("Vampire Diaries"), Courtney Love, Fisher Stevens, Eve Plumb, Frank Whaley, Gilbert Gottfried, Akiva Goldsman, Nora Zehetner, Sorel Carradine, Hilary Rhoda, Elettra Wiedemann, Anja Rubik, Jessica Perez, Anna Bingemann, Rachel Roy, Quiana Grant, Jeisa Chiminazzo, Julie Henderson, Alejandro Santo Domingo, Thom Filicia, Nancy Shevell, Amy Sacco, Lorenzo Martone, Daniel Benedict, Nanette Lepore, Marisa Noel Brown, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, and Cinema Society Founder Andrew Saffir. [Nick Hunt/Patrick McMullan Co.]

LVMH and RED hosted a party last week at the Tribeca Film Festival for the premiere of Maggie Betts' "The Carrier," competing in the World Documentary Competition. Told through the eyes of an increasingly empowered heroine, "The Carrier" is a portrait of an unconventional family, set against the backdrop of the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zambia. Pictured from left to right: Renaud Dutreil (Chairman of LVMH), Maggie Betts, Christy Turlington and Jim Clerkin. Additional guests included: Fabiola Beracasa, Roland Betts, Valerie Boster, Meredith Melling Burke, Jenna Bush Hager, Vanessa Carlton, Christian Cota, RJ Cutler, Peter Davis, Charles Ferguson, Geoffrey Fletcher, Prabal Gurung, Jessica Joffe, Gayle King, Bonnie Morrison, William Norwich, Annelise Peterson, Dee Poku, Celine Rattray, Charlie Rose, Jane Rosenthal, Rachel Roy, David O. Russell, Brian Williams, Allison Williams (Pres. and CEO of Moet Hennessy). [Photo credit: Amanda Schwab/Startraksphoto.com]

Actors Ethan Hawke and Frank Whaley moments before taking the field as part of the celebrity game at the first annual NYFEST at the Tribeca Film Festival. The actors might be better known for their work on-screen, but they didn't disappoint on the field thanks to the help of various former professional athletes during Tribeca's opening weekend. [Photo and caption by Daniel Loria]

Director Whitney Dow in Manhattan on Friday, April 27 attending the Tribeca drive-in screening of his documentary "When the Drum is Beating" during the 10th Tribeca Film Festival. [Photo credit: Two Tone Productions]

"Limelight" director Billy Corben and producers Jen Gaiten and Alfred Spellman celebrate the world premiere of their new documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival. The trio had more of a reason to celebrate after Magnolia announced that morning that it would be releasing the film theatrically in August. This is the Rakontur filmmakers' second world premiere in two months, an occasion marked by an after-party at New York City's Bowery Hotel. [Photo and caption by Daniel Loria]

Tribeca Film and American Express presented the Tribeca Film Festival and Cinema Society premiere of Steven Silver's "The Bang Bang Club" last night in Manhattan. Pictured from left to right: Taylor Kitsch, Ryan Phillippe, Tribeca Film Festival Co-Founder Robert De Niro and Malin Akerman. Following the premiere, guests (including Patricia Clarkson, Anna Kendrick and David O. Russell) headed to La Bottega at the Maritime Hotel for the after party. Full list of attendees: Greg Marinovich (photojournalist and subject of film), director Steven Silver, Tribeca Film Festival Co-Founder Jane Rosenthal, Zoe Kazan, Ed Westwick, Zoe Kravitz, Paul Haggis, Jason Reitman, Karolina Kurkova, Jack Osbourne, Pablo Schreiber, Gale Harold (Queer as Folk, Desperate Housewives), Christopher McDonald, Aleksa Palladino (Boardwalk Empire), Vinessa Shaw, Scott Glenn, Will Estes (Blue Bloods), Jeremy Allen White (Shameless), Doutzen Kroes, Tristan Wilds (90210), Chris Henry Coffey (Trust), Stephen Kijak, Chuck Leavell, Celine Rattray, Nicole Miller, Debbie Bancroft, Bridget Hall, Alex Lundqvist, Daniel Benedict, Johannes Huebl, and Cinema Society Founder Andrew Saffir. [Photo credit: Nick Hunt/Patrick McMullan Co.]

"Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon" director Stephen Mitchell with Tribeca Film Festival executive director Nancy Schafer at the New York filmmakers' party at the Bowery Hotel in downtown Manhattan Tuesday night. Check out Schafer's thoughts on the 10th anniversary of the festival in iW. Mitchell will take part in the Tribeca-Apple Meet the Filmmaker series at the Apple Store in SoHo, co-hosted by indieWIRE beginning this Friday and continuing through next week.

Director Neil Jordan sat down with Anne Thompson of Thompson on Hollywood last Thursday to discuss his latest work, Colin Farrell starrer "Ondine." The film had its New York premiere as part of the Tribeca Film Festival, and will hit theaters via Magnolia Pictures this June.

"Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" actor Andy Serkis (left), director Mat Whitecross and writer Paul Viragh (right) talk to moderator Aaron Hillis at the Apple Store SoHo earlier this week. The trio were discussing their film, which had its North American premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival.

More from the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. Last week, Gideon Yago co-hosted the Tribeca Film Festival Awards and did a mighty fine job we might add. Pictured here in between introducing speakers with the festival's director Nancy Schafer, Yago also is continuing his gig with IFC (if you live in NYC, you see those ubiquitous ads on taxis) called simply enough, "IFC Media Project." The program, which also ran last year, examines media and the shakedown still underway in journalism. "My goal in this series is to give a sobering wake-up call to anyone who takes the media at face value," said Yago at a discussion about the program attended by iW's Eugene Hernandez.

More from the Tribeca Film Festival: Actress Meg Ryan and director Todd Haynes were among the slew of celebrity-types serving as jurors this year. And they weren't all the "silent type" (famous names that are printed in catalogs as jurors but you never see them), but they actually showed. Also making their outings during awards evening last week were Mary Kate Olsen, Uma Thurman and Gideon Yaho (one of our personal favorites).

Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton with director John Cameron Mitchell at the Apple store in New York's SoHo last week. Swinton was in town promoting her latest film, "Julia."

Oscar-nominated director Kirby Dick's latest "Outrage" exposes the hypocrisy of closeted gay politicians who work to damage gay rights. And Mr. Dick, with former Newfest head Basil Tsiokos gave a chat about his film at the Apple store in New York's SoHo last week.

IFC Films threw quite a bash for their film, "In the Loop," directed by Armando Iannucci (middle). Someone at the distributor with good connections somehow got use of this out of control three story penthouse in Downtown Manhattan for the party (there was even a rock climbing structure in the place for god sake) with a huge outdoor space (apparently the owner of the place invented or started AOL Instant Messenger - at least that was the rumor). Anyway, by looks of the branding Lufthansa also paid for the fun, and there was a lot to be had... Joining Ianucci are Zach Woods and Tribeca Film Festival's David Kwok (right).

"The title is not meant to be a double entendre," Eric Bana (left) joked about his directorial effort, "Love The Beast," a documentary about his love for his 1974 Ford XB Falcon Coupe, nicknamed The Beast. In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly's Dave Karger last night at one of indieWIRE and Apple's Tribeca Filmmaker Talks, Bana spoke humbly about his doc's participation in the Tribeca Film Festival (and kindly stuck around afterwards to sign seemingly endless autographs). "We thought it would be very important for the film to play at festivals," Bana said. "I'm very realistic about that. I mean, I know how lucky I am to be here because I've been in a lot of small films that have not gotten a chance to get into a film festival. So I was very honored and thrilled that we got the honor to come here. I think Tribeca's a great platform for us. Its got a freshness and a vibrancy that a lot of other film festivals don't." "Beast" premieres tonight at the SVA Theater.

A perk of being a director at the Tribeca Film Festival is "doing lunch" with the festival's co-founders Robert DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal. DeNiro gave a sweet speech encouraging the directors present at Asia de Cuba restaurant on Monday saying that even the reactions to their film isn't as important as the accomplishment of actually making a film. He then hung around and chatted with directors and even posing for the occasional pic. Also in the room with DeNiro and Rosenthal were the festival's Nancy Schafer and other staffers. [Photo by Eugene Hernandez, caption by Brian Brooks]

"Rudo y Cursi" had its New York debut last night as part of the Tribeca Film Festival, and cast members Gael Garcia Bernal (left) and Diego Luna (second to right) celebrated at Bar Artisanal with the film's director, Carlos Cuarón (second to left) and co-president of the film's distributor, Michael Barker (right). The film - which screens again Tuesday and Saturday follows two thickheaded stepbrothers played by Garcia Bernal and Luna, who are recruited to play for a big league soccer team.

"Racing Dreams" director Marshall Curry (second from right), exec producers Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (left), Dany Garcia (left of Curry), and Bristol Baughan (right of Curry), as well the subjects of the doc (from left: Annabeth Barnes, Brandon Warren, Josh Hobson), celebrated the film's premiere in Tribeca yesterday. "Dreams" is about kids who compete for the World Karting Association's national championship, a huge stepping stone to auto racing's big show—NASCAR. The film screened to a five minute standing ovation at the end of film. Execs from Fox Searchlight, Magnolia, and Sheila Nevins from HBO were all in the audience. (photo credit: Ted Chen).

Tribeca Film Fest-goers lined up in the East Village for the premiere of Ron Carlson's mockumentary "Midgets Vs. Mascots." The film - described as "Borat meets Jackass" by the producers - involves five little people and five mascots competing against each other in 30 ridiculous events like "who can drink a gallon of milk the fastest" and "how few insults does it take to get punched in a bar." The winners score a million dollars. Clips of the film have recieved 300,000 online views in the past ten days, five times more than the other 84 films screening at Tribeca combined. It sold out all four Tribeca shows in 2 hours (a fifth was subsequently added), and tickets are being bid on for up over $50 on eBay.

Director/producer Lee Daniels brought out the crowds Friday evening at the Apple Store in SoHo to talk about his career and give his two cents on how to tackle the film industry (among other topics). "This is an industry built on nepotism and the chances you have a relative working in the industry is nil, so you have to just break down those doors and make a statement - it's hard..." Daniels also admitted to being something of a workaholic when he takes on a project, including his latest film, "Precious" (formerly "Push") which won the jury and audience awards at Sundance earlier this year and will next be shown in Cannes (Lionsgate will release the film this autumn). "This is probably politically incorrect to say, but [my films] are more important to me than my family, my health, my boyfriend... They're the most important thing in my life while they're [in production]." And next up for Daniels? "Right now I'm in a musical moment... Drag queens, butterflies and music..."

"I want this to add to the effort to get 100% rights for all citizens of this country," Kirby Dick said at the Q&A after the world premiere of his documentary "Outrage," which discusses the hypocrisy of many closeted politicians that vote against gay rights. Though the film focused on politicians, it did shed light on one closeted reporter - Fox News' Shepard Smith. An audience member asked Dick why he chose to discuss Smith and not another high-profile closeted news anchor. "It has less to do with Anderson Cooper than the position of CNN," Dick responded. "CNN is not part of a machine that has contributed to anti-gay hysteria." Dick's decision to omit certain discussions and subjects - necessary to make the film 90 minutes and not a 8 hour miniseries - was consistent with that idea: If the closeted individual was part of the anti-gay "machine," then they were fair game. One such individual, former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey, was in the audience for the screening (and was subjected to an audience member criticizing his decision to resign, and not trying to make a difference in office post-coming out). The film screens again Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. You can check out indieWIRE's coverage of "Outrage" here and here.

Danish directors Alexander Brondsted (left) and Antonio Tublen at Tribeca's Nordic party celebrating the World Premiere of their co-directorial debut, "Original." The film - about a "by the book" man who loses both his job and his girlfriend - is screening for the first time Sunday night.

"The Swimsuit Issue"'s star Jonas Inde (left), director Mans Herngren (center), and producer Rebecka Hamberger (right) celebrated the Tribeca Film Festival with their fellow Nordic filmmakers last night in Union Square. With three films from Sweden (including "Swimsuit"), three from Denmark and three from Norway, the area is well represented at the festival. "Swimsuit," which follows Sweden's only all-male synchronized swimming team, premiered last night.

Two of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles posed for a photo with an unidentified fan yesterday evening at the first in the Tribeca Film Festival's Drive In Series. At the North Cove in the World Financial Center, hundreds of people gathered for "ninja lessons," a pizza party, and a screening of the 1990 film "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." "You have no idea how long I've longed for this moment," Leonardo (left) - the unofficial leader of the Turtles - told indieWIRE. "Ever since they decided to make the last film CGI, I've been in a really dark place. But seeing everyone gathered here under the stars almost makes life seem worth living again."

Tribeca Film Festival founders Jane Rosenthal and Robert DeNiro toward the end of the awards ceremony at the Target Room, which you know... Honestly, was a surprisingly a good show. The awards were fun. And congrats! to Tomas Alfredson for "Let the Right One In" who won the big bucks (even with the shitty dollar-- thanks Bush) who won the Founders Award for Best Narative Feature and to Gini Reticker for "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" taking best doc.... (also big bucks -- $25 Ks all around, not bad!). To check out all the winners and all that, go to this.

More from Tribeca '08: Probably the best chance to ever get in the hottest place one earth at the moment with a low ceiling is this joint (and somehow immune from the no smoking law in NYC?) Plus, the clientele is honestly sort of too much... though in a sort of Us kind of way... Though some of that rumor may be just from the chattering classes.... Anyway, we digress... A cool part of last week was hanging (or seeing) "Mr. Lonely" director Harmony Korine with fashion designer Agnes b. (um, Agnes f'n b god damnit!!! And we owe her lots of $$$$ -euros-) at the Beatrice Inn in Greenwich Village in New York. (Go there... 285 W. 12th St. -- you won't believe the warm reception...) A DAMN good party for "Lonely," merci Agnes and ifc. Where's Andy?

"Standard Operating Procedure" director Errol Morris kicked off indieWIRE's filmmaker chats at the Apple store in SoHo during the Tribeca Film Festival. About the film, which investigates the story behind the notorious Abu Ghraib scandal, Morris says, "The movie was not meant to attack anybody. It was meant to explore a story that, I felt, no one had bothered to tell: the story of the pictures and the people who took them," in a recent interview with Howard Feinstein for iW.

A meeting of the documentary minds... "Control Room" director Jehane Noujaim (who is serving on the world doc competition jury), "51 Birch Street" director Doug Block, and Esther Robinson whose doc "A Walk into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory" is screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. The group happened upon each other at the party for "Alexis Arquette: She's My Brother" by Matthew Barbato in New York's Meatpacking district.

Into the Spring air, "Bomb It" producer Tracy Wares and director John Reiss outside the Tribeca Cinemas in Lower Manhattan. Their Tribeca Film Festival world doc competition film takes a look at contemporary guerilla graffiti from around the world, capturing street artists in action from Capetwon, Sao Paulo, NYC, LA, Barcelona, Berlin and beyond... The film also takes a look at how New York's "quality of life" laws has impacted graffiti.

More from Tribeca '06: Tribeca All Access participant Lacey Schwartz at the awards ceremony at Bridge Chinese restaurant Saturday. She won the program's Documentary section prize for her work-in-progress, "Outside the Box." Joining her on stage for the post-ceremony mini-crush of photos is Milton Liu who won the screenplay section prize for "John Hughes Ruined My Life."

Hanging out at the Tribeca Film Festival Filmmakers' party at the Apple Store Soho last week, "Burke & Willis" directors/writers/co-stars Matthew Zeremes and Oliver Torr. The duo are currently working on their next project, "Parasite."

Pictured at the filmmaker's party at The Apple Store Soho last week at the Tribeca Film Festival, Terry 'Coyote' Murphy, subject of the TFF film "Native New Yorker" with Stevan Riley, director of "Blue Blood."

Tribeca Film Institute board member (and actor) Jeffrey Wright with festival executive director Peter Scarletat the Tribeca Film Festival's NY, NY section kick off party.

Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal at the festival's opening news conference at Borough of Manhattan Community College Monday afternoon. Many press members directed questions to Robert De Niro, but it was Rosenthal who comandeered the show. During the event, she expressed hope the festival's market will evolve and that the new neighborhoods that will host TFF screenings this year will embrace the festival.