Tribeca Film Festival opens, 25 years after helping New York recover from 9/11

Key Points:

• The Tribeca Film Festival, founded 25 years ago by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal, opens today in Lower Manhattan with the premiere of Questlove's new documentary on Earth Wind & Fire, set to debut on HBO and HBO Max on June 7.
• The festival will showcase over 100 independent films from around the world, including musical documentaries on Peter Frampton, Sara Bareilles, Katy Perry, and Alicia Keys, as well as an AI-generated docudrama about recent protests in Tehran.
• Tribeca was created in response to the 9/11 attacks to revitalize Lower Manhattan, evolving from community dinners into a major cultural event that has launched the careers of notable filmmakers like Alex Gibney, Ryan Coogler, and Damien Chazelle.
• This year’s festival includes musical performances, celebrations of podcasts and video games, and a 50th anniversary tribute to Taxi Driver, featuring an onstage conversation between De Niro and director Martin Scorsese, with co-star Jodie Foster expected to attend.
• Robert De Niro reflects on the enduring impact of Taxi Driver and expresses pride in having his films featured at the festival, which continues to be a significant platform for filmmakers and cultural events in New York City.