Be sure to start checking the Tribeca Film Festival website later today to get the full scoop on this year’s program. Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff will be announcing/releasing the full schedule at a press conference in Queens for the event which runs May 1-9 in downtown Manhattan.
Variety (subscription needed) has a little preview in today’s issue. The program that has been released sounds interesting, especially new films from Jim Jarmusch (Coffee and Cigarettes featuring new indie darling Bill Murray along with Roberto Benigni, Cate Blanchett, Steve Buscemi, Alfred Molina, Iggy Pop, Rza, Tom Waits and the White Stripes) and Hector Babenco (an Argentinian director best known here for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Ironweed and the unfortunate At Play in the Fields of the Lord). The latter’s new film Carandiru will screen as part of a spotlight on Latin American filmmakers.
A selection of narrative and documanetary features will screen in competition as will a number of shorts. There will also be selection of panels, including one which should be filed in the “don’t miss” column called “Scorsese & Music.” Personally, I believe any opportunity to hear Martin Scorsese talk about movies should be a “don’t miss” event, but considering that he one of his specialties is utilizing music (especially popular songs), this should be a fascinating discussion.
I’m a big proponent of the TFF, even though some in the NY indie film community have criticized it for being not indie or NYC-oriented enough. However, with the NY Film Festival being more of a showcase than a “festival,” and all the other various fests in the city being of smaller scope, I think it’s appropriate for New York to have a major festival that could potentially (and hopefully) rival Sundance, Toronto and Cannes. TFF isn’t there yet, but there were noticeable differences in each of the first two editions, and I’m sure that attendees this year will notice that the festival continues to evolve.
(UPDATE: Oops … the official announcement was today but the full schedule has not been set and the program is not yet up on the site. My bad … but still, start checking their site regularly and be sure to attend if you’re in NYC in May.)
Out of Focus 