2016 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES US NARRATIVE, INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE, AND DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION SELECTIONS, PLUS OUT-OF-COMPETITION VIEWPOINTS FILMS March 2nd, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2016 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES US NARRATIVE, INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE, AND DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION SELECTIONS, PLUS OUT-OF-COMPETITION VIEWPOINTS FILMS
Separate categories introduced for American and global Narrative Competition films at 15th Annual TFF, April 13-24
NEW YORK, NY- March 2, 2016 -The 2016 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by AT&T, today announced the US Narrative, International Narrative, and Documentary Competition feature film selections, as well as Viewpoints, which recognizes fresh voices in international and American independent filmmaking. Separate sections were created for US Narrative and International Narrative feature films in competition. Fifty-five of the 101 feature-length titles were announced as part of the Festival's 15th edition, taking place April 13 - 24 at locations throughout downtown Manhattan.
The Festival announced that on April 14, the world premiere of Contemporary Color directed by Bill Ross and Turner Ross will open the World Documentary competition. The world premiere of Kicks, directed by Justin Tipping,will open the US Narrative competition. The world premiere of Madly, directed by Gael Garc a Bernal, Mia Wasikowska, Sebastian Silva, Anurag Kashyap, Sion Sono, and Natasha Khan, will open the International Narrative Competition. Viewpoints will open with the world premiere of Nerdland directed by Chris Prynoski.
One third of the Festival's feature films are directed by women - the highest percentage in the Festival's history. Twelve female directors and screenwriters are eligible to receive the fourth annual Nora Ephron Prize, which recognizes women who embody the spirit and vision of the legendary filmmaker and writer.
The 2016 film program includes feature films from 32 countries, including 77 World Premieres, eight International Premieres, six North American Premieres, four US Premieres, and five New York Premieres. A total of 130 directors will present feature works at the Festival, with 42 of these filmmakers making their feature directorial debuts. Eighteen of the directors are returning to the Festival with their new films. The film slate was chosen from a total of 6626 submissions.
In our 15th year we wanted to deepen our support of American narrative filmmakers and have opened our competition to separately showcase the US and International films, said Genna Terranova, Festival Director. We are very impressed by the films this year and inspired to see new voices transcending traditions and taking risks by telling their stories their own way. We are excited to share with audiences how the world of independent documentary and narrative filmmaking is thriving.
With our new International Narrative Competition we are reinforcing our faith in cinema from around the world and belief that Tribeca is a fantastic platform for filmmakers to share their vision. Over the ten days of the Festival these films will take our audiences on a cinematic adventure, and offer a wide range of perspective in both the stories they tell and the methods through which theyre told, said Frederic Boyer, Artistic Director.
The Festival has grown into a platform for discovery of new and distinct voices for both audiences and industry. Over 80% of the world premieres eligible for acquisition at last year's Festival were sold. We are energized by this year's filmmakers and films and look forward to introducing them to our Festival-going community, and premiering new work from several returning artists, said Paula Weinstein, Executive Vice President of Tribeca Enterprises.
This year, ten US narratives, eight international narratives, and 12 documentary features making their North American, international, or world premieres will compete for cash prizes totaling $155,000, as well as artwork from the Artists Awards program, offering donated work from contemporary artists.
The films selected for the US Narrative Competition, International Narrative Competition, World Documentary Competition, and Viewpoints are:
US Narrative Competition
Sponsored by AKA Hotel Residences
Launching in 2016, Tribeca introduces a new competitive section dedicated to American films and filmmakers. Largely made up of first-time directors, the inaugural US competition recognizes the extraordinary work emerging from independent communities. This freshman class of US competitors come from backgrounds as diverse as music (Robert Schwartzman, Dreamland), documentary (Ian Olds, The Fixer), webseries (Ingrid Jungermann, Women Who Kill), and stand-up comedy (Demetri Martin, Dean), but all possess the distinctive directorial vision that makes them a talent to watch. This new competition affirms Tribeca's commitment to discovering and bolstering US voices. The ten films will compete for the Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
Opening Film
Kicks, directed by Justin Tipping, written by Justin Tipping and Josh Beirne-Golden. (USA) - World Premiere. When his hard-earned kicks get snatched by a local hood, fifteen-year old Brandon and his two best friends go on an ill-advised mission across the Bay Area to retrieve the stolen sneakers. Featuring a soundtrack packed with hip-hop classics, Justin Tippings debut feature is an urban coming-of-age tale told with grit, humor, and surprising lyricism. With Jahking Guillory, Mahershala Ali, Kofi Siriboe, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Christopher Meyer. A Focus World release.
Always Shine, directed by Sophia Takal, written by Lawrence Michael Levine. (USA) - World Premiere. This twisty psychological drama about obsession, fame, and femininity
