Thursday was partly a day of deferred maintenance around Reeler HQ, and as such, you might have missed the flurry of festival news that has hit New York over the last 24 hours. Of course, a day without a Tribeca update is like a hiccup that will not stop, so we should probably start with the titles named to this year’s Tribeca Family Festival: 19 features and four shorts programs comprising more than two dozen films. The festival includes the usual variety of New York movies, including the world premiere of Constantine Limperis’s When Fried Eggs Fly (“A great first documentary for precocious kids!” the press release says) and a mildly rare screening of Harold Lloyd’s swan song, Speedy.
Special events include the return of Downtown Youth Behind the Camera–spotlighting the work of elementary- and middle-school (!) filmmakers–and the Family Festival Street Fair that runs all day May 6. Not-so-special events include Keeping Up With the Steins–the directing debut of Garry Marshall’s son Scott (not exactly Reitman père and fils, you know?)–and Anthony Rapp dropping by to sign copies of his Rent opus Without You. Naturally, the full program follows after the jump.
Meanwhile, Asian film guru Grady Hendrix–whose rapturous praise for the Tribeca selection Hanging Garden evidently overrules his hatred for the festival itself–announced a few programming choices of his own for the 2006 New York Asian Film Festival. It seems Hendrix is especially big on Peacock, legendary cinematographer Gu Chang-wei’s directorial debut about small-town life in 1970s China. “(It is) totally unexpected, absolutely glorious,
and downright thrilling, (so) it’s no surprise that it won the Grand Jury prize at Berlin last year,” Hendrix wrote in this week’s Subway Cinema update. And an endorsement from Hendrix does not just ring–it resonates. Trust me on this one.
Finally, the Brooklyn Underground Film Festival is creeping up on us with its opening-night film My Grandmother’s House. Adan Aliaga’s documentary candidly explores the generational clash between a headstrong granddaughter and her equally headstrong grandmother; the film snagged prizes at Amsterdam’s International Documentary Festival and the Chicago International Film Festival. The event kicks off at the Brooklyn Lyceum April 19, but expect the full 2006 program online by April 1.

TRIBECA FAMILY FESTIVAL FILM PREMIERES:
Elephant Tales, directed by Mario Andreacchio, (Australia) – World Premiere. In the spirit of Babe and Milo & Otis comes Elephant Tales, a live-action feature about two elephant brothers who set off across the African plain in search of their mother. Along the way, they encounter dangers and befriend a menagerie of wild creatures, including a thin-skinned giraffe, a flamboyant flamingo, and a headstrong chimp. Ages 7+
Keeping Up With The Steins, directed by Scott Marshall, (U.S.A) – New York Premiere. A Miramax Release. Weeks away from his bar mitzvah, Ben (Daryl Sabara) is panic-stricken about his pending adulthood and the stadium-sized party that his father (Jeremy Piven) has planned. Ben’s only hope is to invite his estranged, eccentric grandfather to sabotage the day. This family comedy also stars Doris Roberts, Jami Gertz, Daryl Hannah, and the director’s father, Garry Marshall. Ages 12+
Lassie, directed by Charles Sturridge, (U.S.A., U.K.) – U.S. Premiere. In this retelling of a classic, a financially strapped family is forced to sell their beloved collie Lassie. After traveling hundreds of miles away from her true family, Lassie resolves to return home. Set against stunning British landscapes, Lassie faces both human and natural dangers, but also finds help in unexpected places. With Peter O’Toole, Peter Dinklage, and Samantha Morton. Ages 7+
Laura’s Star, directed by Thilo Graf Rothkirch and Piet de Rycker, (Germany) – New York Premiere. In this beautifully animated film, Laura’s family moves from the country to the city. Laura is sad and lonely until one night a shooting star lands outside her window. With the help of this magical star, Laura finds happiness and friends in her new home. A tale about embracing life’s changes, this colorful adventure is a perfect “first film” experience. Ages 4+
Mee Shee: The Water Giant, directed by John Henderson, (Canada, U.S.A) – North American Premiere. A Screenmedia Release. Complete with a beastie from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, this adventure epic in the tradition of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial follows young Mac as he searches a remote Canadian lake for a mythical aquatic creature. Upon teaming up with the local Native Americans, Mac realizes that finding Mee Shee is only the beginning of his true adventure. Ages 6+
Over The Hedge, directed by Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick, (U.S.A) – A Paramount Release. Go behind the scenes with the production team for a show and tell presentation of DreamWorks Animation’s new comedy. When Verne and his woodland friends awaken from their winter hibernation, they find their forest has been invaded by the “burbs.” Featuring the voices of Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, William Shatner, Wanda Sykes, and Nick Nolte. Ages 6+
Peace Tree, directed by Mitra Sen, (Canada) – New York Premiere. When two best friends, one Muslim and the other Christian, announce their plan to celebrate each other’s holidays, the girls are met with resistance from their parents. In response, they create a Peace Tree celebrating all religions and cultures. During the Festival, the filmmaker will be creating a Peace Tree at the Street Fair. Ages 5+
RV, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, (U.S.A) – A Columbia Pictures Release. In Columbia Pictures’ family comedy RV, an overworked executive, Bob Munro (Robin Williams), persuades his wife and children to give up their Hawaiian vacation for some “family bonding” on a cross-country RV trip. RV also stars Jeff Daniels, Cheryl Hines, and Kristin Chenoweth. Ages 10+
Speedy, directed by Ted Wilde, (U.S.A) – A Sony Repertory Release. One of the funniest movies ever shot in NYC, Harold Lloyd’s 1927 classic and final silent film casts him as a cabdriver and baseball nut who meets Babe Ruth. The climactic chase scene through downtown’s still-recognizable streets will bring viewers to their feet cheering. Silent, with orchestral score by Carl Davis. Ages 7+
When Fried Eggs Fly, directed by Constantine Limperis, (U.S.A) – World Premiere. A documentary that centers around a Greenwich Village public school music teacher who finds that he may be in over his head when he brings together more than 150 video-generation kids, their parents, and their teachers to compose, perform, and record an original piece of music about the environment. A great first documentary for precocious kids! Ages 8+
Zaina, Rider Of The Atlas, directed by Bourlem Guerdjou, (France) – In this “couscous Western,” an 11-year-old girl’s mother dies and she is confronted with the father she’s never known. The pair make a peril-filled journey through Morocco’s stunning Atlas mountains until a breathtaking horse race gives her a final challenge. A treat for children and parents alike. In French with English subtitles. Ages 10+
T4TEEN SECTION
Beauty And The Bastard , directed by Dome Karukoski, (Finland) – North American Premiere. Aspiring singer Nelli needs someone to produce her demo, while shy hip-hop DJ Sune is just looking for a pretty girlfriend. Dome Karukoski’s feature debut throws them together in a romantic comedy about contemporary Finnish youth trying to find their way into adulthood. In Finnish with English subtitles. Ages 15+
Goal! The Dream Begins, directed by Danny Cannon, (U.S.A) – North American Premiere. A Buena Vista Release. A poor Mexican-American immigrant living in a Los Angeles ghetto gets a dream chance to play professional soccer in one of Europe’s most prestigious leagues. But will he make the grade? This rags-to-riches fable features appearances by international soccer stars David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Alan Shearer, and Raul, and actors Kuno Becker and Alessandro Nivola. In English and Spanish with English subtitles. Ages 12+
One Last Thing, directed by Alex Steyermark, (U.S.A) – New York Premiere. A Magnolia Release. In this sweet comedy, terminally ill Dylan (Michael Angarano) and his mother (Cynthia Nixon) attend a televised event designed to grant last wishes to dying children. While on air, Dylan makes an eyebrow-raising request. As he gaily prepares to have his wish met, his mother becomes increasingly upset over her son’s condition. Also starring Ethan Hawke, Gina Gershon, Sunny Mabrey, Nelust and Wyclef Jean. Some profanity, parental guidance advised. Ages 16+
Punching At The Sun, directed by Tanuj Chopra, (U.S.A) – New York Premiere. In the aftermath of his older brother’s murder, a fiery South Asian teen struggles to find a path between rage and redemption in this coming-of-age film set on the streets of Elmhurst, Queens, during the politically charged aftermath of September 11th. In English and Hindi with English subtitles. Ages 14+
The festival will showcase four shorts programs: Just Like You, stories about kids from around the world, including a few from our own backyard (Ages 8+); Weston Woods/Scholastic’s animated shorts program where award-winning and best-selling books come alive (Ages 3+); Just So You Know, the emotional roller coaster that is being a teenager is explored in this series of shorts for young adults, part of the T4Teen Section (Ages 13+); and I Am You Are, a presentation of short docs made by Palestinian and Israeli youth, presented in conjunction with the Jerusalem Cinematheque, TFF and the Tribeca Film Institute. A discussion led by Gilli Mendel, Director of Film and Media Education at the Jerusalem Cinematheque, will follow the screening of I Am You Are.
SHORTS SCREENING BEFORE FEATURES
First Flight, directed by Cameron Hood and Kyle Jefferson, (U.S.A.)
The Mantis Parable, directed by Josh Staub, (U.S.A.)
Sirah, directed and written by Cristine Spindler, (U.S.A.)
Twins of Mankala, directed and written by Jason DaSilva, (U.S.A.)
JUST LIKE YOU
Big Girl, directed and written by Renuka Jeyapalan, (Canada)
Rabbit (Kanin), directed and written by Jonas Felixon, (U.S.A)
My Radio (Mi Radio), directed by Mariana Miranda and Felipe G�mez, written by Mariana Miranda, (Mexico)
Mind Me Good Now, directed by Chris Cormier and Derek Cummings, written by Sugith Varushese, (Canada)
Rubber Soles, directed and written by Christine Turner, (U.S.A.)
Tuck That Shirt In, directed by Students and Staff of I.S.109 and the Producers’ Project, (U.S.A.)
Vincent, directed by Giulio Ricciarelli, written by Soern Menning, (Germany)
JUST SO YOU KNOW
Bloody Footy, directed by Dean Chircop, written by Marco Sinigaglia, (Australia)
Confessions Of A Late Bloomer, directed by Jen McGowan, written by Stuart C. Paul, (U.S.A.)
Like A Blade Of Grass In The Meadow (Come Un Filo D’erba Nel Prato), directed by Attilio Azzola, written by Azzola, Benedetta Tobagi and Mario Nuzzo, (Italy)
A Girl Like Me, directed by Kiri Davis, (U.S.A.)
Jellybaby, directed by Rob Burke and Ronan Burke, written by Pierce Ryan, (Ireland)
Majorettes, directed and written by Lola Doillon, (France)
Special People, directed and written by Justin Edgar, (U.K.)
Surviving 7th Grade, directed and written Amy Adrion, (U.S.A.)
WESTON WOODS/SCHOLASTIC
Cinderella, directed by Virginia Wilkos, (U.S.A.)
Emily’s First Ten Days of School, directed by Gene Deitch, written by Rosemary Wells (U.S.A.)
Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story From China, directed by Kris Tercek and Ed Mironiuk, (U.S.A.)
Reading to Your Bunny, directed by Michael Sporn, written by Rosemary Wells, (U.S.A)
TRIBECA FAMILY FESTIVAL STREET FAIR
The Tribeca Family Festival will also feature the annual Street Fair on Saturday, May 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. along Greenwich Street (between Hubert and Duane Streets). The fair, free and open to the public, promises to be a day of entertaining and interactive experiences for the entire family. Performers range from puppeteers and storytellers to dancers, stilt walkers, face painters and so much more! The Street Fair will also host over 30 restaurants, merchants and organizations from the Tribeca neighborhood.

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