Tribeca Film Festival® Announces Feature Film Line Up For The Competition, Spotlight, Viewpoints And Midnight Sections Of The 16th Annual Festival

An exciting slate of films that showcases the breadth of contemporary filmmaking across a range of styles will premiere at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T held from April 19 - April 30 in New York City.

The Festival today announced the feature films across the following programs: Competition, including U.S. Narrative, Documentary, and International Narrative categories; Spotlight, supported by The Lincoln Motor Company, a selection of anticipated premieres from major talent; Viewpoints, which recognizes distinct voices in international and American independent filmmaking; and the popular Midnight Section, supported by EFFEN® Vodka, featuring the best in psychological thriller, horror, sci-fi, and cult cinema. After receiving a record number of entries, the Festival’s seasoned team of programmers, led by Cara Cusumano in her new role as Director of Programming and Artistic Director Frédéric Boyer, carefully curated an edgy, entertaining and provocative program. The 16th Annual Tribeca Film Festival takes place April 19 – 30.

Today’s announcement includes 82 of the 98 feature-length titles in the Festival. In a year of record high submissions, the Festival’s curators chose to reduce the size of the overall program by 20%, making this the most selective and focused festival slate yet. The Competition section features 32 films: 12 documentaries, 10 U.S. narratives and 10 international narratives. The Spotlight Narrative section features 15 fiction films, while 16 nonfiction films will premiere in the Spotlight Documentary section. The Midnight section features five heart-stopping narratives and one documentary premiere.

"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."

“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,” said Paula Weinstein, Executive Vice President of Tribeca Enterprises. “We were really moved by this group of projects that reflect our world and the critical tipping point we have reached.”

“This year’s film slate is perhaps our most varied yet in both the generosity in the stories told and the diversity of the styles of filmmaking, with the international films transcending geographical boundaries,” said Frédéric Boyer, Tribeca’s Artistic Director. “It is a group of beautiful films of discovery, and strong performances from directors and actors from every corner of the globe, including from countries that are not the mainstay of cinema. We are really impressed with the films, and are excited to share with the Tribeca audience.”

To honor Earth Day, which falls during the Festival, the programmers chose to highlight documentaries that focus on critical and timely issues that have an impact on our planet, including climate change, food waste, and animal extinction. Each of these films will screen on Earth Day, April 22, as well as throughout the Festival. This will be reflected in other sections of the festival programming as well, including VR and Tribeca N.O.W.

The 2017 feature-film program includes films from 28 countries, including 78 World Premieres, six International Premieres, six North American Premieres, two U.S. Premieres, and six New York Premieres.

Thirty-seven of the feature filmmakers are making their feature directorial debuts, and 20 of the directors are returning to the Festival with their new films. Thirty-two women directors are represented in the 98 festival selections. Tribeca’s 2017 slate was programmed from more than 8,700 submissions, of which 3,362 were feature films submissions.

This year, the films in competition will compete for cash prizes totaling $160,000, as well as artwork from the Artists Awards program, offering donated work from contemporary artists.

In addition to Cusumano and Boyer, the feature film programmers include Liza Domnitz, Loren Hammonds, Ian Hollander, programmer at large Jeff Deutchman, program advisors Paula Weinstein and Tammie Rosen, and a team of associate programmers.

Ticket packages are on sale now, and single tickets will be available for purchase starting Tuesday, March 28.

The VR and Storyscapes selections will be announced tomorrow, March 3. In addition to the films announced today, the Festival will reveal the remaining feature-length films including Galas, the Closing Night Film, and Special Sections, on March 7.

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The films selections are as follows:

U.S. Narrative Competition

Tribeca’s U.S. Narrative Competition recognizes the extraordinary work emerging from thriving American independent film communities today, affirming Tribeca’s commitment to discovering and elevating truly fresh, independent voices. These ten films will compete for the Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

Aardvark, directed and written by Brian Shoaf. (USA) - World Premiere. 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). Things begin to get interesting when Emily falls for Craig. With Sheila Vand, Tonya Pinkins, Marin Ireland.

Abundant Acreage Available, directed and written by Angus MacLachlan. (USA) - World Premiere. Still reeling over the recent death of their father, siblings Jesse (Terry Kinney) and Tracy (Amy Ryan) are attempting to settle into their new lives in his absence. Their simple existence is unexpectedly disrupted by the sudden arrival of three mysterious brothers, camping on their land and possessing a surprising connection to their family farm. With Max Gail, Francis Guinan, Steve Coulter.

Blame, directed and written by Quinn Shephard. (USA) - World Premiere. Abigail (Quinn Shephard) is an outcast who seeks solace in fantasy worlds. When high school drama teacher Jeremy (Chris Messina) casts her in Arthur Miller’s 'The Crucible,’ Abigail's confidence blooms. But soon her relationship with Jeremy begins to move beyond innocent flirtation, and it in turn fuels a vengeful jealousy that quickly spirals out of control and brings about a chain of events that draws parallels to Salem. With Nadia Alexander, Tate Donovan, Trieste Kelly Dunn, Tessa Albertson.

The Endless, directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, written by Justin Benson. (USA) - World Premiere. Years after escaping a cult as teenagers, brothers Aaron and Justin return to their former home after receiving a mysterious message. While Aaron is quickly drawn back into the fold, Justin remains uneasy. However, neither can deny it when strange events begin happening that seem to mirror the cult’s unusual axioms. Following their Tribeca breakout, Resolution, Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead direct and star in another intensely original genre hybrid. With Tate Ellington, Callie Hernandez, James Jordan, Lew Temple.

Flower, directed by Max Winkler, written by Alex McAulay, Max Winkler, Matt Spicer. (USA) - World Premiere. Rebellious and quick-witted, 17-year-old firecracker Erica Vandross (Zoey Deutch) kills time with her friends gawking at older men in bowling alleys and sexually scheming guys out of their money. However, her biggest scheme is still to come when her mother asks her boyfriend and his troubled, fresh-out-of-rehab son to move in with them in this biting dark comedy. With Kathryn Hahn, Adam Scott, Tim Heidecker, Joey Morgan, Dylan Gelula.

Keep the Change, directed and written by Rachel Israel. (USA) - World Premiere. In a support group for adults living with autism, 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. With Brandon Polansky, Samantha Elisofon, Nicky Gottlieb, Will Deaver, Jessica Walter, Tibor Feldman.

Love After Love, directed by Russell Harbaugh, written by Russell Harbaugh, Eric Mendelsohn. (USA) - World Premiere. The world of a mother and her two adult sons feels emotionally untethered following the death of their family’s patriarch. Andie MacDowell, Chris O’Dowd, and James Adomian deliver searing performances in this absorbing story of a family losing and regaining their equilibrium in the wake of loss. With Juliet Rylance, Dree Hemingway, Gareth Williams.

One Percent More Humid, directed and written by Liz W. Garcia. (USA) - World Premiere. Catherine (Julia Garner) and Iris (Juno Temple) are childhood friends home from college for a hot New England summer. As they attempt to enjoy parties and skinny-dipping and the usual vacation hijinks, a shared trauma in their past becomes increasingly difficult to suppress. As the wedge between the friends grows, they each pursue forbidden affairs to cope. With Alessandro Nivola, Maggie Siff, Philip Ettinger, Mamoudou Athie.

Saturday Church, directed and written by Damon Cardasis. (USA) - World Premiere. 14-year-old Ulysses is a shy and effeminate teen being raised in the Bronx by his strict Aunt Rose. He finds escape in a rich fantasy life of music and dance, and soon with a vibrant transgender youth community called Saturday Church. Damon Cardasis’ directorial debut is a rousing celebration of one boy’s search for his identity. With Luka Kain, Margot Bingham, Regina Taylor, Marquis Rodriguez, MJ Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Alexia Garcia.

Thirst Street, directed by Nathan Silver, written by Nathan Silver, C. Mason Wells. (USA, France) - World Premiere. There’s a fine line between lust and obsession—and for flight attendant Gina (Lindsay Burdge), that line is often difficult to see. Grieving over a lover’s suicide, Gina loses her grip on reality after falling for a suave Parisian bartender. Tribeca alum Nathan Silver (Actor Martinez) takes cues from ‘70s Euro erotic psychodramas in this gorgeously retro and piercingly intimate look at one-sided love. With Damien Bonnard, Esther Garrel, Lola Bessis, Jacques Nolot, Françoise Lebrun. In English, French with subtitles.

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