The Tribeca film festival, a project conceived to raise Manhattanite spirits after the World Trade Centre attack, is to return this year.
The 2003 event is due to run from May 3 - 11, and will be bigger than last year's festival, with 200 premieres and several awards. The Tribeca festival is the baby of local son Robert de Niro, among others, who announced its return at a press conference at City Hall. Also on hand to get things underway was the busiest man in Hollywood (or Soho), Kevin Spacey. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was also in attendance
De Niro told reporters; "Last year's festival was a dream come true. It brought thousands of film-makers and film lovers to the area from all over the world, which was precisely what lower Manhattan and our city's economy needed post-September 11."
The 2002 festival was also an important cinematic event, hosting the North American premieres of Attack of the Clones and About a Boy. This year's get together promises to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Black Film-Makers' Foundation, and screen a series of music-themed films.
A full programme is expected in April.
