Tribeca Film Festival 2019

The Tribeca Film Festival is at Spring Studios in Tribeca and other venues across Manhattan daily, April 24 to May 5, 2019.

Tribeca is one of New York City’s two major film festivals and has a reach that extends beyond film.

Get tickets at www.tribecafilm.com

18th Tribeca Film Festival 2019 Opening Night

The Festival opens with Roger Ross Williams new HBO documentary The Apollo, at The Apollo Theater in Harlem, NYC on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.

The documentary follows a new production of Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates as it prepares to take the Apollo stage.

This is a story of overcoming adversity, of standing yourself up. This is an essential part of the American character, but is especially true now for Americans of color as the old guard throws all kinds of unnecessary darkness our way.

We will overcome, not by violence, but by creativity.

Tribeca Film Festival 2019 Latin Features

This year’s Latin features reflect where we are in the process of assimilation (which is happening in both directions by the way).

Some of these films are obviously Latin. Some are not and we are just participants. That’s probably a good thing because at the end of the day, you just want to be yourself and not someone else’s label. It’s good to see that this country gives us a chance to participate.

After Parkland

Spotlight Documentary
(USA) World Premiere

Directed and written by Emily Taguchi, Jake Lefferman. Produced by Emily Taguchi, Jake Lefferman, Jeanmarie Condon, Steven Baker.

The horrific events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day 2018 continue to resonate in our lives among the reports on the emotional aftermath, the gun debates, and the inevitable social media chatter.

For the survivors and parents of the fallen students, there’s also the everyday life. In this moving documentary, Emily Taguchi and Jake Lefferman look at several survivors—David Hogg, Victoria Gonzalez, Sam Zeiff, Dillon McCooty, along with Manuel Oliver, who lost his son Joaquin in the shooting, and Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was a victim.

Under a cloud of grief and shock, both the students and parents face life-changing challenges where there is no clear path. Each one—in his and her own way—must learn to manage their trauma within their daily lives of basketball, preparing for the prom and graduation.

Clementine

US Narrative Competition
(USA) World Premiere

Directed and written by Lara Jean Gallagher. Produced by Aimee Lynn Barneburg, Davis Priestley, Karina Ripper, Kim Bailey, Isabel Marden.

Reeling from a one-sided breakup, heartbroken Karen breaks into her ex’s lakehouse. There, she strikes up a complicated relationship with provocative younger woman Lana in this beautifully rendered psychological drama and sexual coming of age story.

With Otmara Marrero (Cuban-American), Sydney Sweeney, Will Brittain, Sonya Walger.

The Dominican Dream

Spotlight Documentary
(USA) – World Premiere

Directed by Jonathan Hock. Produced by Phil Aromando, Alex Evans.

In the early 1990s, the future of basketball belonged to a young Dominican immigrant named Felipe Lopez. Featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 17, Lopez’s story is the ultimate profile of the American dream.

An ESPN release. Also playing as part of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival.

The Gasoline Thieves (Huachicolero)

International Narrative Competition
(Mexico, Spain, UK, USA) – World Premiere

Directed by Edgar Nito, written by Alfredo Mendoza, Edgar Nito. Produced by Victor Leycegui, Annick Mahnert, Joshua Sobel.

Propelled by a need for cash to impress a crush, 14-year-old Mexican farmhand Lalo finds himself dangerously in over his head after entering into the country’s underworld of illegal gasoline extraction.

With Eduardo Banda, Pedro Joaquin, Regina Reynoso, Fernando Becerril, Pascacio López, Leonardo Alonso.

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice

Movies Plus
(USA) – World Premiere, Feature Documentary

Directed by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman. Produced by James Keach, Michele Farinola, Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman.

With one of the most memorably stunning voices that has ever hit the airwaves, Linda Ronstadt burst onto the 1960s folk rock music scene in her early twenties. A poignant bio-doc of a truly one-of-a-kind artist.

Linda Ronstadt is Mexican American. Her ranchera album Canciones de mi Padre (Songs of My Father) holds the record for best-selling non-English album in U.S. history.

With Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Don Henley, Aaron Neville, Dolly Parton, Bonnie Raitt.

A CNN Films release.

The Short History of the Long Road

U.S. Narrative Competition
(USA) – World Premiere

Directed and written by Ani Simon-Kennedy. Produced by Kishori Rajan, Eddie Rubin, Darren Dean, Cailin Yatsko, Ani Simon-Kennedy, Bettina Kadoorie, Dominique Telson.

For teenage Nola, home is the open road with her self-reliant father and their trusty van, two nomads against the world. When Nola’s rootless existence is turned upside-down, she realizes that life as an outsider might not be her only choice.

With Sabrina Carpenter, Steven Ogg, Danny Trejo, Maggie Siff, Rusty Schwimmer.

A Taste of Sky

Spotlight Documentary
(USA, Bolivia, Denmark) – World Premiere

Directed by Michael Yuchen Lei. Produced by Jess Kwan, Andrew Renzi, Kevin Iwashina, Abby Davis, Michael Y. Lei.

A Taste of Sky delicately details the journey of two students from Gustu, the groundbreaking cooking school and fine-dining restaurant founded by Noma’s Claus Meyer in La Paz, Bolivia.

With Kenzo Hirose, Claus Meyer, Maria Claudia Chura.

This is Not Berlin

Tribeca Critics’ Week
(Mexico) – New York Premiere, Feature Narrative

Directed by Hari Sama, written by Rodrigo Ordóñez, Hari Sama, Max Zunino. Produced by Ale García, Antonio Urdapilleta, Charlotte Lerchner, Hari Sama.

As World Cup fever hits Mexico in 1986, two middle class teens discover an underground culture of experimentation with sex, drugs, and art. This Is Not Berlin is a film that crosses narrative and formal boundaries with the same thrilling abandon that its characters do emotional and experiential ones.

With Xabiani Ponce de León, José Antonio Toledano, Ximena Romo, Mauro Sánchez Navarro, Américo Hollander, Klaudia García, Marina de Tavira, Hari Sama, Lumi Cavazos, Juan Carlos Remolina.

Initials SG

US Narrative Competition
(Argentina, Lebanon, USA) – World Premiere

Directed and written by Rania Attieh, Daniel Garcia. Produced by Ivan Eibuszyc, Shruti Ganguly, Georges Schoucair.

An aging Argentine Serge Gainsbourg wannabe struggles with a career he can’t seem to get on track, an affair he doesn’t want, and a crime he didn’t mean to commit.

With Diego Peretti, Julianne Nicholson, Daniel Fanego, Malena Sanchez, Francisco Lumerman.

Tribeca Film Festival 2019 Latin Shorts

The rise of shorts mirrors the democratization of filmmaking that has occurred as advances in technology have lowered the cost of filmmaking.

A changing media landscape also provides more opportunities for a savvy shorts director to break out.

After Maria – No Shortcuts

Directed by Nadia Hallgren. (USA) – World Premiere, Short Documentary.

Strong Puerto Rican women forced to flee the island after Hurricane Maria have bonded like family in a FEMA hotel in the Bronx. They seek stability in their new life as forces try to pull them apart.

In Spanish with English subtitles.

Carlito Leaves Forever – Roads Less Traveled

Directed and written by Quentin Lazzarotto.
(France, Peru) – New York Premiere, Short Narrative.

A short poetic film following Carlito, a young man living in an indigenous village at the heart of the Amazonian jungle, who decided to leave and change his life forever.

With Carlito Tirira Meshi and Alfonsina Sehua Tioshe.

The Dishwasher – Streetwise

Directed and written by Nick Hartanto, Sam Roden.
(USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative.

A chef at a fine dining restaurant in New York City asks a Mexican dishwasher to find good tortillas.

With Kevin Balmore, Elisha Yaffe, Holly Lynn Ellis, Teddy Cañez, Arisleyda Lombert, Richie Moriarty.

In English, Spanish with English subtitles.

Hard-ish Bodies – Funhouse

Directed and written by Mike Carreon.
(USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative.

A plus-size male stripper knocks on the wrong door and is thrust into the criminal underworld. His only chance to save the club and himself is to do what he does best … DANCE!

With Mike Carreon, James C Leary, Regina Soto, Heidi Lornz, Marcone Cangussu, Adam Mengesha, Isaac Garza, Meghan Malone.

Night Swim – Streetwise

Directed by Victoria Rivera, written by Victoria Rivera and Neda Jebelli.
(USA) – World Premiere, Short Narrative.

Three teenage girls break into a shut down pool. When uninvited guests show up, their friendship is tested and one of them is left behind.

With Adriana Santos, Chloe Roe, Adea Lennox.

La Noria – Animated Shorts Curated by Whoopi Goldberg

Directed and written by Carlos Baena.
(Spain) – New York Premiere.

A young boy who loves to draw and build ferris wheels encounters strange creatures that turn his life upside down.

PeiXes – Animated Shorts Curated by Whoopi Goldberg

Directed and written by Juan C. Pena.
(Spain) – New York Premiere.

A bold fish wants to see that there is beyond the water, and it is determined to succeed…

With Antón Cancelas. In Spanish with English subtitles.

A Tale of Two Kitchens – Life Preserver

Directed by Trisha Ziff, written by Trisha Ziff, Sheerly Avni.
(USA, Mexico) – World Premiere, Short Documentary.

Two countries, two restaurants, one vision. “A Tale of Two Kitchens” explores how a restaurant is a place of dignity and community across Mexico City and San Francisco.

With Gabriela Cámara, Contramar Staff, Cala Staff.

In English, Spanish with English subtitles.

Shorts Directors

Alexandra Barreto (“Lady Hater”)
Mike Carreon (“Hard-ish Bodies”)
Juan Carlos Pena Babío (“PeiXes”)
Victoria Rivera (“Night Swim”)

Tribeca Film Festival 2019 Latin TV

Across Latin America, telenovelas are bigger than movies.

Vida

(Starz) – Season 2 World Premiere
Executive Producers: Tanya Saracho, Robin Schwartz, Marc Turtletaub, Peter Saraf, Stephanie Langhoff.

In the second season of “Vida,” Lyn and Emma begin the monumental task of rebuilding the bar. They navigate obstacles while contemplating the relationships in their lives, including their own, and are forced to dig deep to unearth what their mother’s legacy means to them.

Unimundo 45

(USA) – World Premiere
Executive Producer: Kimberley Browning

After Trump wins the White House, a jaded Latina news producer reconnects with her suppressed activist side and becomes an unlikely TV news star.

With Elizabeth De Razzo, Maria Camargo, Luis Fernandez-Gil, Garrick Bernard, Jandres Burgos, Blanca Araceli.

Tribeca N.O.W. Special Screenings

The New York Times has been exploring the boundaries of what it means to be media in the social media era. There is some seriously good filmmaking here.

Boca Del Lobo

The New York Times’ Op-Docs – Featuring Stories Of Immigration
Directed by Jesse Moss
(USA) – World Premiere

Mario Guevara, a reporter for Mundo Hispanico, investigates the impact of ICE arrests on his Atlanta community.

Darlin

The New York Times’ Op-Docs – Featuring Stories Of Immigration
Directed by Isabel Castro
(USA) – World Premiere

“Darlin” follows a Honduran family in the months after their separation under the zero tolerance policy.

Family separation was a historic slaver tactic until it became an official tactic of the U.S. government led by Republicans. It is a direct assault on the sacred family. Can you imagine that some of the people who promote family separation actually go to church on weekends? Shame, Eternal shame.

El Vacio

The New York Times’ Op-Docs – Featuring Stories Of Immigration
Directed by Deborah Esquenazi
(USA) – World Premiere

In a mesmerizing confessional built from home video and animation, Karla Cornejo Villavicencio (Ecuadorian) explores the mental prisons and personal trauma created by immigration policy.

Cornejo Villavicencio may be an immigrant, but she is no slouch. Immigrants have no time for that. We are too busy trying to survive and make life better for our children. This young woman is an Emerson Fellow at Yale University. Read her touching opinion about being the child of immigrants in Vogue.

La Reina de Watermelon Thump

The New York Times’ Op-Docs – Featuring Stories Of Immigration
Directed by Jeff Reichert & Farihah Zaman
(USA) – World Premiere

In Luling, the “toughest town in Texas”, two Latina high school girls compete to be the next Watermelon Thump Queen.

Immersive

Have you noticed things that were unheard of when you were growing up? Don’t worry, eventually you will.

Immersive is one of those things I had to look up. It means Virtual Reality. Well you know the Aztecs believed death is reality and life is but a dream. So maybe this is nothing but a bunch of dreaming in a dream.

Dreams of The Jaguar’s Daughter

(World Premiere)
Project Creator: Alfredo Salazar-Caro

Key Collaborators: Genesis Mancheren Abaj, Prashast Thapan, Tarek Turkey

Dreams Of The Jaguar’s Daughter is a surreal VR documentary where Achik’, the spirit of a young Maya immigrant, guides the viewer through her memories of an arduous journey north.

Unceded Territories

(World Premiere)
Project Creator: Paisley Smith and Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Key

Collaborators: Ketsia Vedrine, Peter Denny, Patrick Weekes, Jason Legge

Through infectious interaction, build a natural world made up of the colorful, surrealist art of acclaimed First Nations painter Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, until you are confronted by Colonialist Snake who forces you to see the truth behind your actions.

Ayahuasca

(World Premiere)

Project Creator: Jan Kounen Key

Collaborators: Guillermo Arévalo Valera – Shaman, Antoine Cayrol, Marion Guth, Vincent Guttman, Nicolas Becker, Nicolas Blies, Stéphane Hueber-Blies

Participants are immersed in visions triggered by a dose of ayahuasca. The spectator lives this through director Jan Kounen’s eyes as he travels on a spiritual voyage.

It should be said that humankind has used drugs since the beginning of humankind, but they weren’t used for recreation. Drugs were party of highly ritualized spiritual journeys. They open you up so you can see the other side. But you can’t stay there for too long or you may never come back.

Tribeca Film Festival 2019 Tickets

There are a whole range of tickets and pricing for every interest.

Monday-Friday daytime screenings (before 5:30pm): $12
Evening and Weekend screenings: $24
Free Film Friday: $0 with ticket

Discounts are available at ticket outlets (not online or by phone) for students, seniors (62+) and downtown Manhattan residents with proof.

Rush tickets are available in rush lines which form about 45 minutes before showtime. Limit one rush ticket per person.

Festival passes and ticket packages go on sale on February 19 at 11am.

Single tickets go on sale March 26 at 11am.