Three years ago, the Tribeca Film Festival and American Express came up with this great concept of presenting selected films in the program through what they call the Tribeca Online Film Festival. This year, four World Premiere feature films, 14 diverse shorts and live-streamed events can be viewed by audiences all over the U.S. from the comfort of their homes for free. Viewers will have the opportunity to serve as jurors and vote on the best online feature and short films, which will be announced at the Tribeca Film Festival Awards on April 26. There will also be a social voting competition based on the number of “likes” that film accumulates on the Tribeca Online Film Festival film detail page. The feature film and the short film that drive the most Facebook likes on the page will each receive a separate prize of $500. The only catches are that the various events and screenings are only offered at set dates and times, and there is a cap on the number of viewers permitted.
The 2012 Tribeca Film Festival runs from April 18-29.
Below are two of the films now available for viewing online. Check out the full 2012 Online Film Guide here.
BabyGirl
For as long as she can remember, Bronx teenager Lena has watched her young man-crazy single mom Lucy waste her time on a series of less-than-perfect boyfriends. And even though she should be paying attention to the neighborhood boys’ flirtations herself, Lena has been spending most of her time being the mother Lucy forgets to be. But when Mom’s latest boy toy Victor quickly proves to be her worst suitor yet, Lena sets up a trap to expose him for the creep she thinks he is. Set in the uneasy but rhythmic streets of the Bronx, this unassuming story of a passionate Puerto Rican family comes to life with authenticity and just the right amount of restraint and naturalism. Irish-born director Macdara Vallely captures a vivid portrait of a young mother and her daughter both coming of age while crafting a likeable yet shifty character in Victor, the kind of guy who always keeps one guessing. Newcomer Yainis Ynoa gives a standout performance as the strong but clearly still innocent Lena in this finely tuned urban drama.
Details:
Program: Viewpoints
[BABYG] | 2012 | 77 min | Feature Narrative
Directed by: Macdara Vallely
Foreign Title: (Babygirl)
Language: in English, Spanish with English subtitles.
World Premiere
Interests: Drama, Family Friendly, Family Issues, Latin American, Latino, NY Director, New York, Tribeca Online Film Festival
BFF
Jack has been “best friends forever” with Jill since she moved to Brooklyn. One day Jill arrives unexpectedly at Jack’s apartment to discuss her growing anxiety over her boyfriend’s increasingly erratic behavior. Jack, against his own best judgment, offers to shadow Jill’s boyfriend to uncover the truth. The truth, however, does not always set you free.
Details:
Program: Shorts in Competition: Narrative
[SMENH] | 2012 | 8 min | Short Narrative
Directed by: Neil LaBute
Foreign Title: (BFF)
Country: USA
World Premiere
Interests: Comedy, Relationships, Returning Filmmaker, Sex, Tribeca Online Film Festival
