By Maria Esteves - May 11, 2008

The Seventh Annual 2008 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) was held in Tribeca and venues in New York City, April 23 - May 4, 2008. The festival sponsored by American Express, annually present international films, gala receptions, panel discussions, concerts, special events, awards ceremony, Tribeca/ESPN sports day, and a family street fair. TFF08 included 53 World Premieres, 6 International Premieres, 30 North American Premieres, 7 U.S. Premieres, and 19 New York City Premieres.

Since 2002, TFF was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff to culturally and economically revitalize Tribeca, New York as a response to the World Trade Center attacks through film, music and culture. Today, TFF is a major festival assisting filmmakers in the world of cinema.

2008 Tribeca Film Festival Meet The Brits Party hosted by British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) East Coast, Pinewood Group, Skillet's Trailblazers, and UK Film council US was held at the Maritime Hotel, Monday, April 28, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

TFF08 Meet The Brits Party, host Christina Thomas,
Chief Executive, BAFTA East Coast.

TFF08 Meet The Brits Party, Emerging Artist Recipient award
winner writer/director Hugo Perez, "IMMACULATE CONCEPTION",
(right), with writer Megan Peabody.

By Maria Esteves - May 11, 2008

The Seventh Annual 2008 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) was held in Tribeca and venues in New York City, April 23 - May 4, 2008. The festival sponsored by American Express, annually present international films, gala receptions, panel discussions, concerts, special events, awards ceremony, Tribeca/ESPN sports day, and a family street fair. TFF08 included 53 World Premieres, 6 International Premieres, 30 North American Premieres, 7 U.S. Premieres, and 19 New York City Premieres.

2008 Tribeca Film Festival International Filmmaker Press Meet & Greet reception presented by TFF was held at the Target-Tribeca Filmmaker Lounge, Monday, April 28, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Filmmakers, producers, industry executives, sponsors, actors, models, musicians, and artists attended the private press reception.

TFF08 International Filmmaker Press Meet & Greet,
producer Lucas Akoskin, International Premiere film
"LA HORA CERO (DUSK)."

TFF08 International Filmmaker Press Meet & Greet,
director Favamarz K-Rahber, North American Premiere
documentary film "DONKEY IN LAHORE."

TFF08 International Filmmaker Press Meet & Greet,
director David Assmann, premiere documentary film
"FOOTBALL UNDER COVER."

TFF08 International Filmmaker Press Meet & Greet,
director Jody Dwyer, (right), and producer/writer Michael
Boughen, World Premiere narrative film "DYING BREED."

TFF08 International Filmmaker Press Meet & Greet,
actor Aldernar Correa, International Premiere film
"PARAISO TRAVEL."

TFF08 International Filmmaker Press Meet & Greet,
director Bahar Behbahani, World P (...)

By Maria Esteves - May 11, 2008

The Seventh Annual 2008 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) was held in Tribeca and venues in New York City, April 23 - May 4, 2008. The festival sponsored by American Express, annually present international films, gala receptions, panel discussions, concerts, special events, awards ceremony, Tribeca/ESPN sports day, and a family street fair. TFF08 included 53 World Premieres, 6 International Premieres, 30 North American Premieres, 7 U.S. Premieres, and 19 New York City Premieres.

Since 2002, TFF was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff to culturally and economically revitalize Tribeca, New York as a response to the World Trade Center attacks through film, music and culture. Today, TFF is a major festival assisting filmmakers in the world of cinema.

2008 Tribeca Film Festival First-Time Filmmaker Meet & Greet Press reception was held at the Target-Tribeca Filmmaker Lounge, April 28, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Filmmakers, producers, industry executives, sponsors, actors, models, musicians, and artists attended the private press reception.

TFF08 First-Time Filmmaker Press Meet & Greet,
Palden Gyatso, World Premiere documentary film
"FIRE UNDER THE SNOW."

TFF08 First-Time Filmmaker Press Meet & Greet,
director/writer Dan Castle, World Premiere documentary
film "NEWCASTLE."

TFF08 First-Time Filmmaker Press Meet & Greet,
Argentine-musician Simja Dujov, The Strudel Klezmer Band.

By Maria Esteves - May 2, 2008

SPEED RACER, directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski (brothers) is an outstanding action packed computer animated film based on the 1960's young race car driver cartoon series I grew up watching every day after school on television. The film depicts Speed (Emile Hirsch) aspiration of becoming a Race Car Champion by entering The Thunderhead Raceway, Casa Cristo Classic 5000, and the Grand Prix XCI. Technically speaking, the special effects are breathtaking. It's an excellent family film.

In 1967, Japanese anime (animation) film MACH GOGOGO, directed by Hiroshi Sasagawa, English version was a successful after school cartoon TV series in the U.S. called SPEED RACER. The lyrics in the last stance of Speed Racer original song sums up the Wachowski brothers film, "He's off and flying, as he guns the car around the track, He's jamming down the pedal, like he's never coming back, Adventure's waiting just ahead. Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, GO!"

SPEED RACER, directed by Wachowski Brothers | USA | 2008 | 129 min. | English | released by Warner Bros. Pictures, is Closing Night Gala Presentation Film at 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, Saturday, May 3rd, opens nationwide on Friday, May 9th.