@TribecaFilmFest | 2015 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS #TFF2015 #TFF

VIRGIN MOUNTAIN, DEMOCRATS, MEN GO TO BATTLE, UNCERTAIN WIN TOP AWARDS IN JURIED WORLD COMPETITIONS; DOOR INTO THE DARK WINS THE BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® STORYSCAPES AWARD

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SWORN VIRGIN WINS THIRD ANNUAL NORA EPHRON PRIZE

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FESTIVAL AWARDS $175,000 IN CASH PRIZES

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Last afternoon, I got an email in my inbox from Lapacazo with an invite for the Tribeca Film Awards party, announcing the winners of its competition categories. Well, how could we say no? We canceled whatever else was on our calendars and arrived at TFF’s creative hub, Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios. With a very intimate cocktail party preceding the award show, environment was abuzz with enthusiasm, joy and free booze. I caught up with Lapacazo who was chatting with Marco Kalantari and Danny Shayler from wonderful short film from the festival Shaman. And soon after the hilarious Michael Rapaport was on stage, who was hosting this wonderful event.

The winners of the narrative and documentary competition were awarded from the World Narrative and World Documentary sections of the official Festival lineup, which consists of 12 narrative and 12 documentary films from 19 countries. Best New Director prizes were awarded to first-time directors in the narrative and documentary categories, from a pool of 26 feature films. It was also announced that, beginning this year, the new name of the Best New Documentary Director Award going forward will be called The Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award, which was awarded tonight by Philip Maysles and Sara Maysles, the beloved filmmaker’s children.

Awards were also given for the best narrative, best documentary, and student visionary films in the short film competition.

In addition, the Festival announced The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Storyscapes Award, created in collaboration with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Gin, and the Nora Ephron Prize, sponsored by Coach.

 

This year’s Festival included 101 features, 60 short films, five immersive storytelling projects from 38 countries.

The winners of the Audience Awards, sponsored by AT&T, which are determined by audience votes throughout the Festival, will be announced on April 25.

“We are proud to honor the winning filmmakers, artists, and creators tonight,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder, Tribeca Film Festival. “Their stories have inspired all of us—and our audiences. We thank them for sharing their work at Tribeca.”

Screenings of the award–winning films will take place throughout the final day of the Festival: Sunday, April 26, at various venues. Specific times and ticketing information are available at www.tribecafilm.com/festival.

In addition to cash awards and in-kind services provided by sponsors including AKA, AT&T, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin, Citrin Cooperman, Coach, Inc., Company 3, CreativeFuture, The Walt Disney Studios, Freixenet, Paul Hastings LLP, Netflix, Shutterstock, and Soundtrack Film and Television–New York. The Festival presented the winners with original pieces of art created by eight contemporary artists: Daniel Arsham, Robert Bordo, Elizabeth Colomba, Stephen Hannock, Prune Nourry, Jean Pagliuso, Clifford Ross, and Piers Secunda.

The winners, awards, and comments from the jury who selected the recipients are as follows:

WORLD NARRATIVE COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

The jurors for the 2015 World Narrative Competition sponsored by AKA, were Paul Attanasio, Sophie Barthes, Whoopi Goldberg, Dylan McDermott, and Burr Steers.

         The Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature – Virgin Mountain, written and directed by Dagur Kári [Iceland, Denmark]. Winner receives $25,000, sponsored by AT&T, and the art award “Ash Eroded Film Reel” by Daniel Arsham. The award was given by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal joined by Marissa Shorenstein, President, AT&T New York

                Jury Comment: “With its mixture of humor and pathos, this film captured our hearts.                Beyond the deceptively small frame of a mismatched love story, the film deals with the    issues of bigotry, loneliness, bullying, mental illness, and ultimately the triumph of the            human spirit and the meaning of love.”

         Best Actor in a Narrative Feature Film –Gunnar Jónsson as Fúsi in Virgin Mountain (Iceland, Denmark). Winner receives $2,500 sponsored by Citrin Cooperman. The award was given by Dylan McDermott and Arnie Hermann, lead partner, Entertainment Practice of the firmCitrin Cooperman.

                Jury Comment: “The film was aided in no small measure by a performer whose mixture of     comedy and sadness evokes Chaplin and Keaton, with a complete lack of tricks, pretense, or             condescension. This performer relies instead on subtlety, timing, and naked honesty,   creating an indelible portrait of a man fighting to be seen in a world that judges him by his     appearance.

 

         Best Actress in a Narrative Feature Film – Hannah Murray as Sara in Bridgend (Denmark). Winner receives $2,500 sponsored by Citrin Cooperman. The award was given by Sophie Barthes and Diana Mahiques, Business Development Manager, Citrin Cooperman.

Jury Comment: “An actress who captured the hopelessness of a lost generation. With bravery and guilelessness, this young actress led us in a descent into a world gone mad, as well as a journey into the protagonist’s own inner darkness.”

         Best Cinematography – Cinematography by Magnus Jønck for Bridgend (Denmark). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by Shutterstock. The award was given by Sophie Barthes and Derick Rhodes, Footage Marketing, Shutterstock.

 

Jury Comment: “Soulful and searing images, a daring use of composition and light, and an evocative sense of place.

 

         Best Screenplay – Virgin Mountain written by Dagur Kári (Iceland, Denmark). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by Freixenet. The award was given by Dylan McDermott and Tom Burnet President, Freixenet USA.

Jury Comment: “The writer of this film is also the director, and is credited as one of the editors, and also performed the music, and runs the director’s program at the National Film School of Denmark, leading us to wonder when he has time to go to the bathroom. His intricately designed, beautifully observed, and bravely conceived screenplay consistently defies expectations, avoids sentimentality, and never strikes a false note.

 

●      Best Narrative Editing – Bridgend edited by Oliver Bugge Coutté (Denmark). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by Soundtrack Film and Television-New York, and $50,000 in post-production services provided by Company 3. The award was given by Sophie Barthes and Rob Cavicchio, owner Soundtrack NY.

Jury Comment: “Impeccable rhythms and expert balancing of many divergent narratives.”

WORLD DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

The jurors for the 2015 World Documentary Competition sponsored by Santander Bank, N.A., were Diego Bunuel, Tine Fischer, David Gelb, Joshua Rothkopf, and Gloria Steinem.

         Best Documentary Feature – Democrats, directed by Camilla Nielsson (Denmark). Winner receives $25,000, sponsored by Netflix, and the art award “Immersion (From the Holy River Series)” by Prune Nourry. The award was given by Gloria Steinem.

Jury Comments: “For its choice of an important, universal subject; for filming in conditions where simply to be present is a triumph; and for prioritizing dignity, courage, and our common struggle for humanity, we give this year’s Best Documentary Feature award to Camilla Nielsson for Democrats.”

 

Special Jury Mention: In Transit , directed by Albert Maysles, Nelson Walker, Lynn True, David Usui, and Ben Wu. (U.S.A)

         Best Documentary Editing – Palio, edited by Valerio Bonelli (U.K., Italy). Winner receives $5,000.  The award was given by Diego Bunuel.

Jury Comments: “This film viscerally transported us into an event and turned life into art. For subtly placing us behind the scenes; and for general technical excellence, this year’s award for Best Editing in a Documentary goes to editor Valerio Bonelli for Palio.”

BEST NEW NARRATIVE DIRECTOR COMPETITION:

The jurors for the 2015 Best New Narrative Director Competition were Mark Boal, Minnie Driver, Don Hertzfeldt, Cobie Smulders, and Joana Vicente.

         Best New Narrative Director – Zachary Treitz director of Men Go To Battle (U.S.A). Winner receives $25,000 sponsored by The Walt Disney Studios, $50,000 in post-production services provided by Company 3, and the art award “Trees II” by Clifford Ross. The award was given by Don Hertzfeldt and Joana Vicente.

           

Jury Comments: “Zachary Treitz presented us with a combination of approaches not all that easy to put together: a unique and sincere vision, alongside off-beat humor, alongside historical and emotional authenticity.”

                Special Jury Mention: Stephen Fingleton for The Survivalist (Northern Ireland, U.K.).

BEST NEW DOCUMENTARY DIRECTOR COMPETITION:

The jurors for the 2015 Best New Documentary Director Competition were Rachel Boynton, Lola Kirke, Will Patton, Alison Pill, and Michael Rapaport.

         Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award – Ewan McNicol and Anna Sandilands for Uncertain (U.S.A). Winner receives $25,000 sponsored by Netflix, and the art award “Athena” by Elizabeth Colomba. The award was given by Alison Pill along with Philip Maysles and Sara Maysles.

Jury Comment: “This year we recognize a beautiful character study that explores violent natures, redemption, and what it takes to tame the self. A perfect balance of simplicity and mystery, this American story examines humanity, and how it can unwittingly destroy not just landscapes but livelihoods.”

 

                Special Jury Mention: Erik Shirai for The Birth of Saké(U.S.A).

SHORT FILM COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

The 2015 Best Narrative Short Competition jurors were Hank Azaria, Mamie Gummer, André Holland, Arian Moayed, Sheila Nevins, and Dan Silver.

         Best Narrative Short – Listen, directed by Hamy Ramezan and Rungano Nyoni (Finland, Denmark). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by Paul Hastings, LLP, and the art award “Caw (42)” by Robert Bordo. The award was given by Sharon Badal, Director of Short Film Programming and Initiatives Tribeca Enterprises, and Luke P. Iovine, III, Partner at Paul Hastings, LLP.

                Jury Comments: “This year’s winner for Best Narrative Short was emotionally compelling      and by far the most affecting of the pieces we screened, with the filmmakers displaying a                 clear emotional connection with the narrative. To say that we had a healthy debate is an      understatement.”

 

                Special Jury Mention:  Statistical Analysis of Your Failing Relationship directed by Miles Jay              (U.S.A, Canada).

The 2015 Best Documentary and Student Visionary Award jurors were Steve Buscemi, Debi Mazar, Katherine Oliver, Theo Rossi, and Vanessa Williams.

 

         Best Documentary Short – Body Team 12 directed by David Darg (Liberia). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by AKA, complimentary time in a.cinema, AKA's private screening room, and the art award “Black #19” by Jean Pagliuso. The award was given by Steve Buscemi, Debi Mazar, and Theo Rossi.

Jury Comments: “The winning film is a spiritual and inspiring story of personal courage and commitment. The filmmaking team takes us on a fearless journey that restores our faith in humanity and inspires viewers to be optimistic despite facing the most extreme challenges.”

Special Jury Mention: We Live This directed by James Burns (U.S.A).

         Student Visionary Award – Catwalk directed by Ninja Thyberg (Sweden). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by Creative Future. The award was given by Steve Buscemi, Debi Mazar,  Theo Rossi, and Brett Williams, director, Creative Community and Youth Outreach, CreativeFuture.

Jury Comments: “An effective look at peer influence not peer pressure.  A creative explanation of what young people are experiencing as a result of social media threads and trends. Beautifully shot, and cast with a profound message that promotes individuality and vulnerability amongst the girls and parents, this year’s Student Visionary Award goes to Ninja Thyberg for her film Catwalk.”

Special Jury Mention: Kingdom of Garbage, directed by Yasir Kareem (Iraq, U.K.).

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® STORYSCAPES AWARD

The 2015 BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Storyscapes Award, which recognizes groundbreaking approaches in storytelling and technology, jurors were Andrew Golis, Shari Frilot, and Charlie Phillips.

●      BOMBAY SAPPHIRE ® Storyscapes Award: Door Into the Dark created by Amy Rose and May Abdalla at Anagram (U.K.). Winner receives $10,000, presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Gin. The award was given by Andrew Golis, Shari Frilot, and Maria Dao, Brand Manager of House of Bombay Gin.

Jury Comments: “In an overwhelming media environment in which we struggle for control, we recognize a work that viscerally reconnects us with the value of letting go. It offers a meticulously crafted storyworld that allows us to cerebrally, emotionally, and quite literally leave our baggage behind and step into the void. In that void we become disoriented, take risks, make choices and find ourselves again, changed. Ambitious, simple, and profound, this work marks a fresh and promising direction for the field of immersive theater. It evoked a euphoria that stayed with us long after we left it.”

THE NORA EPHRON PRIZE

The 2015 Nora Ephron Prize jurors were Rachael Harris, Kevin Corrigan, Katja Blichfeld, Christine Lahti and Talya Lavie.

         The Nora Ephron Prize: Sworn Virgin, directed by Laura Bispuri and written by Francesca Manieri and Bispuri (Albania, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, Switzerland). Winner receives $25,000, sponsored by Coach. The award was given by Rachael Harris, Kevin Corrigan, Katja Blichfeld, Christine Lahti, Talya Lavie, and Iana dos Reis Nunes, vice president of public relations for Coach.

Jury Comments: “We are awarding a film that is exquisite in its broadness and its intimacy, with a truly original story that touches on gender identity and oppression in a way that members of this jury have rarely seen before. The film constantly surprised us and made us question our own positions through a confident, passionate, and beautifully nuanced vision that showed a real respect for the audience.”

Special Jury Mention: Being 14 directed and written by Hélène Zimmer (France).

FULL LIST OF ELIGIBLE 2015 TFF FILMS IN EACH CATEGORY OF COMPETITION:

World Narrative Feature Competition:

         Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature: 12 films

         Best Actress in a Narrative Feature:  13 actresses

         Best Actor in a Narrative Feature: 14 actors

         Best Cinematography in a Narrative Feature:  12 films

         Best Screenplay for a Narrative Feature:  12 films

         Best Editing in a Narrative Feature: 12 films

World Documentary Feature Competition:

         Best Documentary Feature: 12 films

         Best Editing in a Documentary Film:  12 filmmakers

New Director Competition includes first time directors across all feature sections with films making their North American, International, or World Premiere

         Best New Narrative Director: directors selected from 14 films

         Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award: directors selected from 12 films

Short Films in Competition:

         Best Narrative Short: 28 films

         Best Documentary Short: 21 films

         Student Visionary Award: 11 films

Storyscapes Projects in Competition:

         BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Storyscapes Award: 5 projects

Nora Ephron Prize:

         Awarded to a female director or screenwriter. Selected from 12 eligible films, with seven female writer-directors, three female writers, and two female directors

EDITORS BACKGROUND ON FILMS RECEIVING HONORS:

Narrative Films

Bridgend, directed by Jeppe Rønde, co-written by Jeppe Rønde, Torben Bech, and Peter Asmussen. (Denmark) – North American Premiere, Narrative. Sara (Hannah Murray) and her dad arrive in a town haunted by a spate of teenage suicides. When she falls in love with Jamie (Josh O’Connor), she becomes prey to the depression that threatens to engulf them all. Jeppe Rønde's debut is based on the real-life Welsh county borough of Bridgend, which has recorded at least 79 suicides since 2007.

Democrats, directed and written by Camilla Nielsson. (Denmark). – North American Premiere, Documentary. In the wake of Robert Mugabe’s highly criticized 2008 presidential win, a constitutional committee was created in an effort to transition Zimbabwe away from authoritarian leadership. With unprecedented access to the two political rivals overseeing the committee, this riveting, firsthand account of a country’s fraught first steps towards democracy plays at once like an intimate political thriller and unlikely buddy film.In English, Shona with subtitles.

Men Go to Battle, directed and written by Zachary Treitz, co-written by Kate Lyn Sheil. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Kentucky, 1861. Francis and Henry Mellon depend on each other to keep their unkempt estate afloat as winter encroaches. After Francis takes a casual fight too far, Henry ventures off in the night, leaving each of them to struggle through the wartime on their own.

Sworn Virgin (Vergine Giurata), directed and written by Laura Bispuri, co-written by Francesca Manieri. (Albania, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, Switzerland) – North American Premiere, Narrative. As a young woman living within the confines of a Northern Albanian village, Hana longs to escape the shackles of womanhood, and live her life as a man. To do so she must take an oath to eternally remain a virgin. Years later, as Mark, she leaves home for the first time to confront a new set of circumstances, leading her to contemplate the possibility of undoing her vow. In Albanian, Italian with subtitles.

Uncertain, co-directed and co-written by Ewan McNicol and Anna Sandilands. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. An aquatic weed threatens the lake of the small American border town of Uncertain, Texas, and consequently the livelihoods of those who live there. As some of the men in town attempt to figure out their future, they confront a past that haunts them.

Virgin Mountain, directed and written by Dagur Kári. (Iceland, Denmark) – North American Premiere, Narrative. Fúsi is a mammoth of a man who at 43-years-old is still living at home with his mother. Shy and awkward, he hasn’t quite learned how to socialize with others, leaving him as an untouchable inexperienced virgin. That is until his family pushes him to join a dance class, where he meets the equally innocent but playful Sjöfn. In Icelandic with subtitles.

STORYSCAPES

Door Into the Dark

Project Creators: Anagram

"This is a labyrinth.” Find out what it means to be lost in an age of infinite information.

Using groundbreaking locative technology, this immersive documentary combines captivating storytelling with a visceral physical experience: feel your way into the dark—blindfolded, shoeless, and alone— along a taut length of rope that leads to a vivid aural world of real people who have been profoundly lost. Your encounter with these characters takes you deep into their sensations, risks, and illusions. To find your way into the light you must surrender to the unknown.

SHORT FILMS

Body Team 12, directed and written by David Darg, co-written by Bryn Mooser. (Liberia) - World Premiere, Documentary. Body Team 12 a team is tasked with arguably the most dangerous and gruesome job in the world: collecting the dead at the height of the Ebola outbreak.

Catwalk, directed by Ninja Thyberg, written by Ninja Thyberg. (Sweden) - North American Premiere, Narrative. Nine-year-old Ella’s classmates are playing in the schoolyard in full adult dress-up, and she wants to be part of that world in Catwalk.

Listen, directed by Hamy Ramezan, Rungano Nyoni, written by Hamy Ramezan, Rungano Nyoni. (Finland, Denmark) - New York Premiere, Narrative. In Listen a foreign woman in a burqa brings her young son to a police station to file a complaint against her abusive husband, but the translator assigned to her seems unwilling to convey the true meaning of her words.

For more information on all of the films in the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, please visit tribecafilm.com/festival.

@TribecaFilmFest | Misery Loves Comedy (3/4) #TFF2015 #TFF

Does it? Or does it not? Well, Kevin Pollak’s documentary may not have the answer, but it does give you some insight into the comedian’s psyche. Jimmy Fallon, Tom Hanks, Amy Schumer, Jim Gaffigan, Judd Apatow, Lisa Kudrow, Larry David, and Jon Favreau are among over 60 famous funny people featured in this hilarious twist on the age-old truth: misery loves company. In-depth, candid interviews with some of the most revered comedy greats who each share their unique path and a life devoted to making strangers laugh.

With interesting anecdotes and insights from the comedy underbelly that reveal a performer’s deep desire to connect with audiences, Kevin Pollak’s MISERY LOVES COMEDY is shares with audience the art of humor that details a comedian’s rare ability to help us understand life as only they can. The comedians talk about influence in their lives of not only other comedy greats, but also their community. How they got inspired to be a comedian, how they became a comedian. And they talk about if they are actually miserable or how misery contributes in their ability to make others laugh. And the answer is… Not clear!

Well, I hope you’re not expecting an answer!!

Now Available on iTunes and On Demand.

IN THEATRES

OPENING APRIL 24
New York, NY (IFC Center)
Friday Q&A with Kevin Pollak after the 7:45pm show, intro to the 10pm
Saturday Q&As with Kevin Pollak and Jim Norton after the 5:30pm, 7:45pm shows with intro to the 10pm

OPENING MAY 1
Los Angeles, CA (Sundance Sunset)
Santa Ana, CA (South Coast Village)
San Francisco, CA (Roxie)
Pittsburgh, PA (Row House Cinema)
Houston, TX (Sundance Cinemas)
Park City, UT (Park City Film Series)
Seattle, WA (Sundance Cinemas)
Madison, WI (Sundance Cinemas)

OPENING MAY 8
Phoenix, AZ (FilmBar Phoenix)
Palm Springs, CA (Camelot Theatres)
San Diego, CA (Digital Gym Cinema)
Columbus, OH (Gateway Film Center)

OPENING MAY 15
Greensboro, NC (Geeksboro Cinema)
Sedona, AZ (Mary Fisher Theatre)

OPENING MAY 22
Lambertville, NJ (ACME Screening Room)

OPENING MAY 27
Boulder, CO (Boedecker Theatre)

FILM INFORMATION

Year: 2014
Length: 94 minutes
Language: English
Country: USA 

CAST & CREDITS

Director: Kevin Pollak
Written By: Kevin Pollak & John Vorhaus
Producers: Becky Newhall and Burton Ritchie
Cast: Tom Hanks, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Schumer, Judd Apatow, Jon Favreau, Lisa Kudrow, Larry David, Steve Coogan, Jim Gaffigan, and Whoopi Goldberg

Tribeca Film Festival New York Premiere Of Misery Loves Comedy, An American Express Card Member Only Event At The SVA Theater on April 22, 2015 in New York City.

@TribecaFilmFest | Karen, therapist by app, at the Tribeca Film Festival #TFF2015 #TFF

If you’re a New Yorker who loves film then you are likely attending parts of the Tribeca Film Festival, which started April 15 and runs through April 26. And if you don’t live here, take heart knowing that many of these outstanding films will be hitting a cinema near you, or Netflix.

I caught up on Sunday with journalist Lapacazo Sandoval, who is covering the film festival for myNewYorkeye and interviewing filmmakers. As Lapacazo went off to interview a film producer, I decided to hit the Storyscapes Exhibit and Lounge on 50 Varick Street.

A collaboration between the film festival and Bombay Sapphire Gin, Storyscapes showcases five distinctive interactive projects vying for a festival award in groundbreaking approaches in storytelling and technology. For 2015, Storyscapes is all about “full spectrum storytelling” from virtual reality to immersive audio, apps and personalized web series, according to the festival flier.

Life coaching over tea. Does Karen need you or do you need Karen?

Karen

One such project is Karen, an app that mixes gaming, storytelling and psychological profiling. Created by British art group Blast Theory, the app engages you in a dialogue with Karen Elliott, a fictional life coach played by British actress Claire Cage.

Yesterday, I joined a group of five people who stood in line to play the game, listen to Karen’s life story,  and answer questions ranging from attitudes toward relationships to what top she should wear on a date. I chose the boring peach blouse because it was better than the tacky white sweater with sequins, and now wonder what she would think of my judgment call.

Is therapy telling Karen what top to wear?

“I love the idea of a life coach that goes wrong,” said Ingrid Kopp,  director of interactive at the Tribeca Film Institute and curator of the competition, in an interview with Frank Rose of The New York Times. “And I thought it would particularly appeal to New Yorkers.”

The conversation with Karen is murky, and weird. At certain points, I felt that she asked certain questions not so much to learn about me or another player but because she wanted to know our opinion of her.

Several of us remarked that Karen resembles the storyline of Her, the 2013 movie about Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with an operating system named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson.) Rose in his article observed the similarity, too, noting that the app “develops boundary issues and leaves its users feeling distinctly uncomfortable.”

Calling Karen

The video below captures an early moment in the relationship. Karen is walking home,  out of breath and rushed like most urbanites after a long day.  “Great!” she exclaims, finding you on her doorstep. “I’ve been expecting you.”

Tribeca Film Festival: The "Calling Karen" scene from the life-coach app Karen, which incorporates gaming and storytelling.

In this short clip, she whispers to you from bed although she appears alone. How would you answer her question?

From a storytelling perspective, I think the idea is brilliant. It’s immersive and interactive, and that is where all forms of story are headed. It left me wanting to know more about her and myself. But playing the game for 20 minutes is certainly not enough to arrive at profound answers.

You have to stick it out because as Karen says early on, “If you share with me, I can help you find out things about yourself you might not even realize.” The Times’ Rose pointed out that you won’t know what Karen thinks about you until the end of the game, at which point you will be asked to pay $3.99 for an “extensive–not to say invasive–psychological provide compiled by the app itself.”

I think I will fork over the cash. Just out of curiosity, of course.

–Sally O’Dowd is founder and CEO of Sally On Media, a strategy, branding and communications company serving media and tech companies. Sally On Media is sponsoring My New York Eye’s promotional efforts during the festival; we have sponsored post cards to increase brand awareness and website traffic. We do this because we believe in the site’s creative mission and love to see media sally on  with entrepreneurial vigor.

@TribecaFilmfest | Paul Weitz brings Lily Tomlin as GRANDMA (3/4) #TFF #TFF2015

What would you call a film, if it can culminate various topics of LGBT, freedom of choice, parenting, artist past their peak, old-age, wide age gap relations, romance & love, amongst many others, and club it all into an emotional comedy? I'll call it Paul Weitz's "GRANDMA".

Yes, it's a very funny movie, sharing a day in life of grandma (Lily Tomlin), who has to spend the day trying to help her granddaughter (Julia Garner) arrange $630 for an abortion. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash as their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets.

The topic does not sound funny, and it's not been treated as a joke either. But the characters and their situations bring genuine humor, uplifted by some amazing performances by the entire cast. The scenes are very tightly written, and movie has been very well edited to keep the entire drama tightly wrapped in only good 78 mins. The movie has some amazing parts and cameos by likes of Judy Greer, Marcia Gay Harden, Sam Elliott, John Cho, amongst many others.

If you are not into sensitive topics as suggested above or strictly pro-life, you MAY skip the film. If you are a fan of light hearted bUT heartfelt comedy, which is also socially relevant, you would like the film.

@TribecaFilmFest | Last night at #TFF #TFF2015

NYC is rocking with storytellers at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. New digs housing innovative ideas keep the balls rolling!

The opening night gala still has people buzzing, and not because of the flowing Moet. The 3rd annual “For the Love of Cinema” at Spring Studios was hosted by IWC Schaffhausen and the entertainment,  for the evening, was led by funny man, comedian Joel McHale, known for his hit show Community.

IWC CEO Georges Kern co-hosted the evening with Tribeca Film Festival® founders Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, and Craig Hatkoff. Additional influential attendees included Dakota Fanning, guest of honor Christoph Waltz, Michael Cera, Alison Brie, Jennifer Morrison, director Paul Haggis, Diego Klatenhoff, Michael Rapaport, Rachel Harris and Princess Eugenie, professional soccer player Raul Gonzalez Blanco and models Aymeline Valade, Alexandra Agoston, Elyse Taylor.

It’s almost impossible to hear much in a room that was buzzing with such high energy but since these happy film-makers were there to “work it” a few gems did drop into audible range.

To wit, Joel McHale dared to poke fun at his old friend Robert De Niro, “Wow. I can’t believe it. Once again I’m in a room with Mr. Robert De Niro.  It’s ok- he told me I can call him “Mr. Robert De Niro.” It’s an honor that he bestows upon only his closest friends, and most cherished clip show hosts.”

The funny thing about the joke is that’s it half true. The Mr. Robert De Niro that I familiar with makes time to answer questions poised by developing talent. The Mr. Robert De Niro that I am familiar with enjoys young talent and makes effort to help them maneuver thorough the murky and dark waters of the industry. That’s one reason that he started this terrific festival, he’s a man of action not hallow words.

In the room, actress Dakota Fanning was overheard discussing her role in “Franny," which premieres at Tribeca Film Festival. In the film, Dakota wears an “uncomfortable” prosthetic bump, something she’s “never experienced real or fake.”

The very talented actor Christoph Waltz and Robert De Niro discussed possible upcoming projects saying, “It’s time we get something in the books!” and work together. I wonder if Quentin Tarantino felt a vibration from afar?

Finally songstress Sarah McLachlan received a standing ovation after belting out her most notable song, “I will remember you.” Many people know the touching ballad very well, since it’s used to underscore a commercial for animal abuse— yes, that one!

Moet was flowing and DJ Mick had the after-party letting loose, which is always bonus entertainment, watching the “suits” from Hollywood and Wall Street mingle with fluid artists. Only in New York Kids, only in New York.

@TribecaFilmFest | Ludacris Announced as Special Performer at TFF Opening Night | #TFF2015

LUDACRIS TO PERFORM “LIVE FROM NEW YORK!” AT 2015 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL®   OPENING NIGHT APRIL 15

Tickets on sale now for world premiere of “Saturday Night Live” documentary followed by a special concert at The Beacon Theatre

New York, NY – April 10, 2015 – The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) announced today that rapper/actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges will perform at the opening night of its 14th edition on Wednesday, April 15, at the Beacon Theatre, presented by AT&T.  The concert will follow the world premiere of the documentary Live From New York!, which explores 40 years of American politics, tragedy and popular culture through the comedic lens of SNL, directed by Bao Nguyen and produced by JL Pomeroy and Tom Broecker. Tickets for the TFF 2015 Opening Night Gala are on sale at https://tribecafilm.com/livefromnewyork. The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 15 to April 26.

“This year’s Tribeca Film Festival is a true celebration of the convergence of music and filmand Ludacris is an artist who embodies that cultural collaboration,” said Paula Weinstein, EVP, Tribeca Enterprises. “As both a TFF and SNL alum, he is the perfect entertainer to help us open the Festival and celebrate a beloved institution.” 

“Appearing on “Saturday Night Live”– both as a host and a musical guest –were some of the most thrilling moments of my career,” said Ludacris. “I’m excited to be a part of this premiere and the Tribeca Film Festival Opening Night. As a storyteller through music and acting, it is especially meaningful for me to participate in an event that is centered on spotlighting great stories.” 

Ludacris, a multi-talented recording artist and acclaimed actor, has sold more than 15 million albums domestically, thanks to the blockbuster success of such singles as “Stand Up,” “Get Back,” “Southern Hospitality,” “Number One Spot,” “Money Maker” and “My Chick Bad.” All of these records were accompanied by ingenious videos that demonstrated Bridges’ far-reaching imagination, and his willingness to stretch the boundaries of what rap videos should look and feel like.

He recently released his 8th studio album, Ludaversal and starred in Furious 7, the seventh instalment in the global box-office hit franchise. His other feature film credits include Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious 6; Fast Five;  2 Fast 2 Furious; Garry Marshall’s ensemble comedy New Year’s Eve; and Ivan Reitman’s romantic comedy, No Strings Attached, opposite Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman, and he has given acclaimed performances in film, (Crash, Hustle & Flow), and television, (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit).

Visit www.tribecafilm.com/festival for more information about TFF’s 2015 programs and the full line-up of films.

Connect with Tribeca: To keep up with Tribeca, visit www.tribecafilm.com/festival. Like the Tribeca Film Festival Facebook page at facebook.com/TribecaFilm. Follow us on Twitter @TribecaFilmFest and on Instagram @tribeca and join the conversation by using the hashtag #TribecaTogether or #TFF2015.

Connect with Live From New York! at www.livefromnewyorkmovie.com. Like the Facebook page at facebook.com/Livefromnewyorkmovie. Follow the film on Twitter at @lfnymovie and on Instagram @lfnymovie

About the Tribeca Film Festival

The Tribeca Film Festival helps filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enabling the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema. It is well known for being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established directors.

Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001, following the attacks on the World Trade Center, to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of the lower Manhattan district through an annual celebration of film, music and culture, the Festival brings the industry and community together around storytelling.

The Tribeca Film Festival has screened more than 1,600 films from more than 80 countries since its first edition in 2002. Since inception, it has attracted an international audience of more than 4.9 million attendees, and has generated an estimated $900 million in economic activity for New York City.