Here's The Latest Round-Up On The Scene
The easiest question as we are mid-way into the Festival at this point may just be what isn't going on, rather than what is! There is truly so much that it's like a whirlwind. The fact that the weather has been great here in NYC seems to have made the vibe even more super-charged!
So first, Dakota Johnson stopped by the premiere of her new movie Cha Cha Real Smooth at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. This film was a buzz film at Sundance 2022, too!
(as always, images are from Getty)
Then later that same evening, Seth Meyers chatted with Aidy Bryant at his Tribeca Talk at Spring Studios, while Laurence Fishburne made an appearance at the premiere of The Cave of Adullam at Village East by Angelika.
Tribeca is known for its Talks/Special Events, and this year was particularly hot!! This year's Tribeca X was held at The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios. There were great, in-person conversations with industry power players and celebs mixing it up about the landscape of branded entertainment from their POV. Was cool to see a face attached to the OKX behemoth. Global CMO Haider Rafique to talk crypto and diversity, trends, and more. Running Back, New York Giants Saquon Barkley, and former MLB Pitcher CC Sabathia chatted about brands and sports. It was moderated by Kevin Durant's manager, Rich Kleinman. Converse, Jaegermeister, and others also spoke. And the P&G-led panel with Marc Pritchard (CBO, P&G) celebrated the company's progress in supporting Black filmmakers. LL Cool J and his new company, which is also working in collaboration with P&G on various films, were also on hand.
These talks are always so great and inspiring, but let's face it. Everyone in the room is either interested in giving or receiving. No one comes to just hear about a company's success stories. Would love to see more panelists mindful about giving directives on what they are or are not looking for right now in business, how best to contact, have representatives to connect with right there, and really get things going. Now that's a new level of power to move this and any industry!
Here's who won Tribeca X awards! (btw, I interviewed Tani earlier in the festival for Film.io. Knew her project was hot! It's an AR journey regarding Japanese internment camps in the U.S.)
Feature Film:
The Beauty of Blackness (Sephora)
Directed by Kianna Moore, Tiffany Johnson
Short Film:
The Comeback (Apple)
Directed by Zhang Meng
Series:
Stories About Helpful People (Zendesk)
Directed by Sindha Agha, Erin Brethauer, Tim Hussin
Immersive:
Emerging Radiance (Meta)
Created by Tani Ikeda, Michelle Kumata
A beautiful, sustainable box breakfast was served, snacks, and then fab lunch on the roof. Cocktails by Bulleit. Early in the afternoon, but what can you do?! :-)
Common should be speaking over at another venue now, then it's all about more screenings and parties. I saw "Civil" and "The Big Payback." Strong offerings! Tomorrow, it's all about "American Dreamer."
Oh! At lunch, I had a chance to find out all about the world of the Festival temp staff. Who knew it was kinda a thing, where they go from festival to festival!! They oversee the theaters and have a tale to tell. More on this later.
Wrapping up shortly from the fab NoMo SoHo where the vibe is hip and busy! Gotta go. More to see and do!!