16th Annual  Tribeca Film Festival 2017, running April 19-30, is set with the world premiere of the feature documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives at Radio City Music Hall, followed by a special concert featuring performances by Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Earth, Wind & Fire, and more. The festival closes with a 45th anniversary screening of The Godfather’s saga’s first two parts, “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II”  also at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday, April 29, followed by a conversation with Academy Award®-winning director Francis Ford Coppola and actors Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, and Robert De Niro.

"It’s uncertain and tumultuous times like these that we need artists and storytellers the most, and this year's program is a testament to the unending capacity of film for impact, empathy, and even much needed escapism” said Cara Cusumano, Tribeca’s new Director of Programming. “Each in their own way, these 98 films fill me with optimism and inspiration at the unique power of our medium, and the eyes of a talented filmmaker to inspire, challenge, and maybe even change the world." Paula Weinstein, executive Vice President of Tribeca Enterprises adds “In the current climate, both in the literal and political sense, it is more important than ever to elevate stories about the moments we are going through as a nation and as global citizens. We were really moved by this group of projects that reflect our world and the critical tipping point we have reached.”



From a variety of feature length films, shorts, experimental and interactive stories, there is a lot to choose from. Films from 28 countries with 78 world premieres, six international premieres, six North American premieres, two U.S. premieres, and six New York premieres. This year documentaries are focusing on climate change, food waste and animal extinction to honor Earth Day, April 22 which falls during the Festival.

Other festival highlights: Tribeca Talks with Paul Feig, Noah Baumbach, Kathryn Bigelow, Kobe Bryant, Common, Lena Dunham, Jon Favreau, and Bruce Springsteen, as well as Alejandro González Iñárritu and Barbra Streisand, a drive-in outdoors film series and special music appearances. Also Tribeca Games Festival will have it’s debut April 28-29, 2017 including a conversation with legendary game creator Video Kojima.


To find additional information about screenings, events and to purchase tickets click here

Here is a list of 10 films we selected to watch at this year’s festival:

1. Whitney. “can I be me” (Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal - Spotlight Documentary) Whitney Houston was the most awarded female recording artist of all time, with more consecutive number one hits than The Beatles, and on top of that she was America’s Sweetheart. Yet despite her fame, talent, and success, she died tragically at the age of 48. Featuring largely never-before-seen footage and Broomfield and Dolezal’s moving documentary tells the story of the girl behind the voice.

2.  Newton (Amit V Masurkar - International Narrative competition) India, the world’s largest democracy, is preparing for an election—and with more than 800 million voters, this is a logistical puzzle of epic proportions. With disarming charm, this film probes the nature of democracy as Newton, a young, idealistic office worker, becomes the torch bearer for political fairness when he volunteers to head up a polling station in the deepest jungle for 76 remote voters.

3.  Copwatch (Camilla Hall - Documentary competition) True story of We Copwatch, an organization that films police activity as a non-violent form of protest and deterrent to police brutality.  In her feature film debut, director Camilla Hall crafts an intriguing and timely profile of citizen-journalist-activists- including Ramsey Orta who filmed Eric Garner’s fatal arrest- who seek to disrupt the ever-present challenge of police violence.

4. Dabka  (Bryan Buckley - Spotlight Narrative section) When rookie journalist Jay Bahadur (Evan Peters) has an inspiring chance encounter with his idol (Al Pacino), he uproots his life and moves to Somalia looking for the story of a lifetime. Hooking up with a local fixer (Barkhad Abdi), he attempts to embed himself with the local Somali pirates, only to find himself quickly in over his head. Based on the true story of one reporter’s risk-taking adventure that ultimately brought the world an unprecedented first-person account of the pirates of Somalia. With Melanie Griffith.

5. Aardvark (Brian Shoaf - US Narrative competition) While battling her own anxieties, therapist Emily Milburton (Jenny Slate) spends her time listening to other people’s problems. Her professional and personal worlds collide when Emily’s newest patient, Josh Norman (Zachary Quinto), walks through her door. Mentally ill and experiencing hallucinations, Josh harbors complex feelings for his estranged brother, Craig (Jon Hamm).

6. Keep the Change (Rachel Israel - US Narrative competition) In a support group, David—a smooth talker struggling to hide his disability—meets a woman with similar learning challenges, and they quickly forge an intimate bond. Starring a cast of nonprofessional actors on the autism spectrum, Keep the Change details an underrepresented community with authenticity, optimism and humor.

7. WASTED! The Story of Food Waste (Anna Chai and Nari Kye - Spotlight Documentary) Each year, $218 billion—or 1.3 billion tons—of food is thrown out. With nearly a billion people worldwide facing starvation, food conservation is a more urgent issue than ever before. Executive produced by Anthony Bourdain, Chai and Kye’s fast-paced and forward-thinking food doc takes viewers on a tour of inventive new ideas for recycling waste and maximizing sustainability from innovative chefs like Massimo Bottura, Dan Barber and Danny Bowien, who turn scraps into feasts before our eyes.

8. The Dinner (Oren Moverman - Spotlight Narrative section) Two brothers, congressman Stan and caustic former teacher Paul, are locked in sibling rivalry and are forced to come head to head over a dinner with their wives. As the two couples (Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Steve Coogan and Rebecca Hall) sit down to dine, their dark family secrets are drudged on to the table along with the main course, in this adaptation of the Herman Koch bestseller. With Chloe Sevigny. An Orchard release.

9. Dog Years (Adam Rifkin - Viewpoints) Vic Edwards (Burt Reynolds) was one of the biggest movie stars in the world, known for his mustachioed good looks and cocky swagger. With his Hollywood glory a distant memory, the now-octogenarian Vic is prompted to reassess his life with the passing of his beloved dog and the arrival of an invitation to receive a lifetime achievement award from the (fictional) International Nashville Film Festival.

10. The Lovers (Azazel Jacobs - Spotlight Narrative) Years into a dispassionate marriage, a long-married couple, both seriously involved with other people, resolve to call it quits. To their surprise, their decision reignites a dormant spark that leads to an impulsive affair. With Debra Winger.

by L. Fietz (with additional content from the TFF programming Team)