Born in the tragic wake of
9/11, the Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) shows its true colors with consistently
fresh programming. Now in its 11th year, the festival—which takes place April 18-29—received its highest number of submissions yet (almost 6,000!). And
after combing through the finalists, we’ve hand-picked five choice films (and
perhaps you’ll find a few other gems yourself)—showcasing especially strong in
fields like sports and high school dramatics. So the question remains: why
should you expose your tween to a primarily adult-focused film festival?
Because going to the movies should not only be about escape, but also about
growth. Here’s what we think you can learn from this year’s line-up.
KNUCKLEBALL! – Documentary
Two men, Red Sox veteran Tim
Wakefield and the Mets’ own R.A. Dickey, made the unpredictable
knuckleball their own. Find your seats for this inspiring sports story of two MLB players and their struggles and triumphs with the
rare pitch.
FOR FANS OF: Major League Baseball
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING – Narrative
Let the “Please, can we
go?” beg-a-thon begin for this coming-of-age indie written by Glee‘s ever-endearing Chris Colfer. From
blackmail to high school cliques, the superstar smarts of Allison Janney,
Christina Hendricks and Modern Family‘s
Sarah Hyland bring a series of flashbacks to comedic glory.
FOR FANS OF: Glee; Mean Girls;
Saved!
ON THE MAT – Documentary
You’ll recognize the
familiar voice behind this high school success story—Parks and Recreation‘s Chris Pratt, who also happens to be a
wrestling alum of Washington’s Lake Stevens High. Follow this championship team
through a season of injury and academia. (Contains some adult language.)
FOR FANS OF: Win Win; Moneyball
TOWN OF RUNNERS – Documentary
Bekoji is a small, rural
town in Ethiopia where the young feel they have two options for a hopeful
future: education or athletics. This touching film gives a three-year insight
into two females as they run for the better. (In Amharic, Oromo with subtitles.)
FOR FANS OF: The London 2012 Summer
Olympics
FAME HIGH – Documentary
New
York teens,
meet your West Coast match: the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Shown over the course of one year, this
film documents how aspiring
freshmen and senior students discover their performance
passions while squabbling for the same roles.
FOR FANS OF: The East Coast Fame;
reality vocal/dance programs
TICKETS
$8 – late night/weekday matinees
$16 – evening/weekend
screenings
Sales begin April 16, search showtimes at tribecafilm.com.
TFF’s Fun Family Events
In addition to a bevy of films—the festival puts on three huge, free family
events each year. We suggest you get there early!
NYFEST SOCCER DAY
Saturday, April 21 | 9am-6pm | Free
Pier 40, 353 West Street
Get your game face on!
This soccer soiree features a celebrity showdown, a youth showcase, plus soccer
clinics and skills competitions for all footballin’ levels. Pro coaches will be
on hand to help out.
STREET FAIR
Saturday, April 28 | 10am-6pm | Free
Greenwich
Street
(between Chambers and Hubert Streets)
Last year’s fair attracted
nearly 300,000 people! Don’t miss the infamous kite and bubble gardens,
performances from some of your favorite Broadway shows and plenty of arts &
crafts.
TRIBECA/ESPN SPORTS DAY
Saturday, April 28 | 10am-6pm | Free
North Moore Street (from Greenwich Street to West Street)
From fencing to b-ball, hopeful athletes can sharpen their skills with games, challenges and meet-and-greets with sports personalities and mascots. BMX riders will be performing in the afternoon.
