The Village View’s Guide to the 22nd Tribeca Film Festival

By Anthony Paradiso

In 2002, the Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) was founded by a diverse trio comprised of actor Robert DeNiro, movie producer Jane Rosenthal and New York City real estate investor Craig Hatkoff. Their goal was to help heal New York City after the World Trade Center attacks. This year marks the festival’s 22nd year of entertaining Manhattan—and it looks healthier than ever.

The festival received a record of over 12,000 submissions but not all were films. Tribeca is offering feature films, short films, spoken-word entertainment and even “immersive” games and activities. June 7 is opening night featuring the North American premiere of Kiss the Future, a feature film produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It’s about “an underground community” of workers and artists who “created throughout the four-year long siege of Sarajevo” (Bosnian War 1992). Tribeca will close on June 17 with a 30th anniversary screening of DeNiro’s directorial debut, A Bronx Tale. DeNiro and Rosenthal will join the film’s star, Chazz Palminteri, in conversation following the screening.

Cara Cusumano, Tribeca’s Director and Vice President of Programming, described why the festival selected films like Kiss the Future and Rule of Two Walls—both stories about war-torn countries.

“The power of storytelling to heal communities after a trauma is where Tribeca came from and something you’ll see threaded throughout the festival with films about the Ukraine and Iran which set the table in a very meaningful way.”
Don’t overlook the short films. Since the festival’s first year, 36 short films have been nominated for an Academy Award and 11 have gone on to win an Oscar. This year will also include 16 “audio storytelling” events including the world premiere of The Space Within (starring Jessica Chastain), which was produced by leading spoken-word entertainment production company, Audible.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop music, which began in the South Bronx in 1973. To honor this, the Tribeca Film Festival has selected films related to the genre like For Khadija about multi-platinum rapper French Montana, and Uncharted, about Alicia Keys and a non-profit called “She is the Music” whose goal is “increasing the number of women working in music.” Both screenings will treat audiences to live musical performances by French Montana and She is the Music artists after their screenings.

The festival adds some fun in-person events called “Immersive Games.” One event that stands out has been dubbed “Emoji,” a “25-minute interactive group experience” that will test your skills of “emoji utilization.” Tribeca’s immersion wrinkle will also feature an event called “Colored” where people can experience a virtual reality “installation” that tells the story of a young African American girl named Claudette Colvin who lives in New York City. Like Rosa Parks, she refused to give up her seat in 1950s Alabama—but never received the fame.

The 22nd Tribeca Film Festival looks like it has something for everyone to enjoy, so let us begin with our guide by previewing new features and shorts and exciting TV show premieres that will take place at the festival from June 7-18.

FEATURE-LENGTH FILMS

Rule of Two Walls— 76 minutes
A raw, atmospheric portrayal of today’s Ukraine through the lens of two artists who have chosen to stay.
Premieres June 8 at 6:30 pm, SVA Theater (333 West 23rd)

Breaking the News—99 minutes
Follows the determined efforts of women and LGBTQ+ journalists launching a news “startup” to foreground voices omitted from mainstream news. Premieres June 8 at 5:30 pm, Village East (181-89 Second Avenue)

TV SHOWS

Outlander
Tribeca will premiere the first episode of the famous TV show’s seventh season. A talk with cast members will follow.

Exposing Parchman
Investigative documentary on the awful conditions inside Parchman Prison in Mississippi and legal battles that are attempting to end those conditions and gain justice for survivors. After the screening there will be a live conversation with the subjects, their legal team and the Roc Nation executives behind the documentary.

The Walking Dead: Dead City
Premiering the spin-off show’s first season. Cast members and filmmakers will have a discussion afterwards.

SHORT FILMS

“Over the Wall”—17 minutes
Brehanna Daniels, the first Black woman tire-changer in NASCAR, fights her way back from injury to the biggest race in the sport—the Daytona 500.

“The Night Doctrine”—16 minutes
An Afghan journalist embarks on a journey to find out who murdered her family. This animated short is a must-see for its narration which sets a gripping, investigative tone.

TRIBECA TALKS
Must-see conversations

Storytellers—Paul McCartney 
With Conan O’Brien
June 15 – 6:00 pm
OKX Theater at BMCC TPA

Directors Series—David Fincher 
with Steven Soderbergh
June 15 – 8:00 pm
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios

Storytellers—John Mellencamp 
with David Letterman
June 8 – 6:00 pm
OKX Theater at BMCC TPA

Storytellers—Lin-Manuel Miranda with Rosie Perez
June 13 – 6:00 pm
OKX Theater at BMCC TPA

To purchase “Talks” tickets visit
tribecafilm.com/festival/talk

PASSES AND TICKET PRICES

Here is a breakdown of all the ticket options offered by the festival, according to tribecafilm.com

Z Pass $5,000-25,000 dollars
Gives one person exclusive reserved seating to screenings, special events (Tribeca X), Opening and Closing Night. Includes a concierge service that helps one navigate the festival.

Hudson Pass $1,350
Gives one person access to Opening and Closing Night. Priority access to screenings and immersive exhibits.

Matinee Pass $100
Access for one person to all regular screenings. Does NOT give access to premium priced events like Tribeca immersive exhibits and Tribeca Talks.

Awards Winner Pass $60
Access for one to all award winner and back by popular demand screenings on Sunday June 18 (final day).

NFT Pass $899
Access to a private look at the Tribeca Games & Immersive experience, select screenings and parties.

Group Tickets: You can buy tickets in groups of 12 for $300 or eight for $200.

All At-Home Programming
Tribeca at Home: For people who can’t or don’t wish to attend in-person, “Tribeca At Home” is the plan for you. The catch is that you can’t start watching until the in-person festival is over. Tribeca at Home will be available from June 19 to July 2 and if you have Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV or a web browser you will be able to take advantage of this convenience.
At Home Pass Access to all short and feature films to view at home. $150.

Shorts Pass Access for one to the festival’s entire “Virtual Short Program” $25 ($5 fee). Awards Pass: All virtual awardwinner screenings on July 1-2. $50 ($6 fee).