The seventh annual Tribeca film festival kicked off in New York last night, promising a leaner, sharper programme after a 2007 edition that was criticised for placing quantity above quality. "People brought up constructive criticism and we have addressed it," said Jane Rosenthal, who co-founded the festival alongside production partner Robert De Niro.
This year's event has reduced the number of feature films from 157 to 121. Following accusations that ticket prices were too high, the basic cost of admission has been trimmed from $18 (£9) to $15 (£7.50).
Festivities got under way yesterday evening with the premiere of Baby Mama, a comedy about a businesswoman's attempts to have a child, starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, with a supporting cast that includes Greg Kinnear, Sigourney Weaver and Steve Martin. Other potential highlights include Shane Meadows' Somers Town, the Julianne Moore-starring true-crimes drama Savage Grace, and Redbelt, a martial arts movie from David Mamet. Speed Racer, the latest blockbuster from the Wachowski brothers, is also playing at the festival.
The Tribeca film festival was launched in 2002 with the aim of attracting visitors to a downtown Manhattan still reeling from the terrorist attacks of September 11. "The Tribeca film festival was founded to spur revitalisation downtown," explained mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday. "And its ongoing success reaffirms Lower Manhattan's role as a vibrant cultural destination and New York City's place as a centre of movie magic."
The Tribeca film festival runs April 23 to May 4.
Source: guardian.co.uk
