Manhattan’s Tribeca Film Festival

An integral aspect of the New York Condo lifestyle from the Upper East Side to the point, is the wide selection of events at your doorstep.

The art scene defines Manhattan. It peaks the with Tribeca Film Festival thatcontinues through May 8 is the 2010.

Dreamworks Animation’s Shrek Forever After 3D Gala Presentation leads off 85 feature films and 47 shorts chosen from 5,000 submissions from 38 countries. Includedare 15 North American Premieres and 44 World Premiers.

Tribeca alumnus Alex Gibney, who last appeared with his film Taxi to the Dark Side, present two films My Trip To Al-Qaeda and The Untitled Elliot Spitzer Film as well as a segment in the closing presentation Freakonomics.

“Ever since the wonderful experience I had at Tribeca with my film, Taxi to the Dark Side, I have had a strong personal connection to the Festival,” said Gibney. “But more than any one film, this Festival celebrates cultural values and community. That is a powerful statement considering the context in which the festival was created. I am proud to be part of Tribeca again in 2010.”

Complementing the line up the Upper East Side will hosta series of Gala Premieres and a wide range of panel discussions with industry insiders and film makers. Free community events will include the Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair, the popular Tribeca Drive-In, and the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day.

“This year, Tribeca has stayed true to its mission and has expanded to find new ways for filmmakers to reach new audiences,” said festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal. “Whether you’re an accomplished or emerging filmmaker, a movie junkie or someone who enjoys a good film now and then, there’s something for you at Tribeca.”

For Manhattan’s festival to meet the mandate to reach new audiences, the Tribeca Film Festival created two new arms, Tribeca Film and Tribeca Film Festival Virtual. The first Tribeca Film is the distribution arm of the festival, commercially releasing seven 2010 TFF selections plus 5 additional films from other movie festivals. These releases will expand the include theatrical, digital, pay-tv and home video.

Tribeca Film Festival Virtual, supported by sponsor American Express, is taking the festival experience online. Aficionados across the US will be able to purchase a pass for $45, which will allow them to access streaming video for eight full length films. Pass holders will also be able to view and interact in real time with panel discussions and film maker interviews.

“It’s great how much the Festival continues to grow,” said Robert De Niro. “One of the strengths of Tribeca is the feeling of community. I look forward to hearing what our audiences think about the terrific slate of films in this year’s Festival.”

Co-founded by De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff after 9/11, the festival promotes tourism, culture and economic revitalization in Manhattan from the Upper East Side to the Point. Since the first festival in 2002 more than 2.3 million attendees have watched 1100 films from 80 countries.

Single tickets and discount ticket packages are available online at their website, tickets can also be purchased from Tribeca Ticket Window at 54 Varick Street or Chelsea Clearview Cinemas Window at 260 West 23rd Street.