Founded in 2001 by Robert DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal, the festival was an attempt to revitalize a neighborhood that was laid low as a result of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.  The first festival was held in 2002, and even with only four months of planning, it was a critical, financial, and public success.  Since then it has grown in what it offers, attendance, and a variety of partnerships, and today it is one of the premiere film festivals.

Depending on your availability and interests, there are several ways to take in the festival:

• Consider buying a pass or ticket package.  These range in price from $225-400, and combine tickets to several films (10-20) and other admissions.
• Check the listing of films, show times, and theater locations of films that you’d like to see, and order tickets online, by phone at (866) 941-FEST (3378), or at ticket outlets.  Have several back up choices in case your first choices aren’t available.  Single tickets go on sale April 14th for American Express Card members only, on April 19th for downtown residents (proof required), and on April 20th for the general public.
• Get a discount ticket package.  On sale April 14th, these offer some great values for film lovers.  Priced $39-100.
• If you in the “biz” or are a film lover with some coin, there are also a number of VIP packages available.

Other festival events include:

• Sports Film Festival (in partnership with ESPN)
• Shorts Section
• World Narrative Competition
• World Documentary Competition
• Discovery Section (featuring new talent in cinema)
• Encounters (narrative features and documentaries)
• Showcase (10 international films)
• Spotlight (award winners and acclaimed filmmakers)
• Midnight (horror genre)
• Restored/Rediscovered (rarely screen or newly restored films)
• and lots of community events

What are you waiting for?  Download the 2009 Film Guide, and plan to be a participant at this year’s TriBeCa Film Festival!

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe