Tribeca Film Festival

American Express announces 2008 lineup of activities and exclusive cardmember benefits at THE SEVENTH ANNUAL TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL. Jessica Igoe, Director of Sponsorship Marketing at American Express speaks to Good News Broadcast at their Insider Center. American Express Unveils New Insider Center Providing Exclusive Cardmember Access to Special Events and Experiences NEW YORK, APRIL 11, 2008 American Express announced today plans to celebrate the seventh annual Tribeca Film Festival (April 23 May 4) through an array of unique events and offerings to enhance the Festival-going experience for Cardmembers and the general public, bringing them inside and behind-the-scenes of the Festival in new and exciting ways. As the Festivals Founding Sponsor, American Express seeks to fuel Cardmembers passion for entertainment, celebrate filmmakers and bring energy and business to Lower Manhattan and beyond. Through our continued commitment to Tribeca Film Festival and its community of filmmakers in our seventh year as Founding Sponsor, we are bringing exciting new dimensions to the Festival-going experience, said Nancy Smith, Vice President, American Express Global Media and Sponsorship Marketing. We look forward to rolling out the unique offerings and benefits for Cardmembers and the special experiences for all Festival attendees. Since 2002, American Express has been a driving force in the development and expansion of the Festival, said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival. We are pleased to continue to collaborate with them as we celebrate yet another group of talented filmmakers and continue to pay tribute to the culture and energy of New York. Exclusive Cardmember Benefits The American Express Insider Center at the Tribeca Film Festival This year American Express will unveil the new American Express Insider Center at the Union Square Ballroom which will give Cardmembers exclusive access to special events including masterclasses spotlighting cinematic themes, roundtable discussions with directors, casts and crew, and private short film screenings. The Insider Center will also transform into an apr?s-theatre lounge in the evening where filmmakers, industry insiders and Cardmembers can mingle after an exciting day at the Festival. The Insider Center will be open April 24 through May 2 from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm until midnight for badge holders and American Express Cardholders with ticket stubs. Additionally, private programming will take place from 2:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Cardmembers can find tickets to Insider Center programming at http://www.americanexpress.com/tribeca”>www.americanexpress.com/tribeca . American Express Insider Center Highlights and Daily Programming: State-of-the Festival – a daily welcome by Festival heads to share insights on the day ahead Insider Talks Series – o Masterclass – film and non-film experts come together to analyze and provide a unique perspective on a particular cinematic theme o Roundtable – director, cast, crew, critics and Cardmembers gather for roundtable discussions around a particular film Short Films Screenings – selections from the 2008 TFF short film lineup After Movie Experience – immediately after a screening, the audience is escorted to the American Express Insider Center for an evening of cocktails, food and cast and crew appearances Film Personality Interview – on-stage interview with select filmmakers and key industry professionals Apr?s-Theater Lounge – an evening venue where filmmakers, industry professionals and Cardmembers regroup after a day at the Festival By Invitation Only VIP Packages for American Express Platinum Card and Centurion Members Through the By Invitation Only program, American Express Card members are invited to all screenings, panels, private events, red carpet premieres and the Family Festival Street Fair with an Official Hudson Pass. At these events, Card members can mingle with luminaries at the Festivals Opening Night Gala event and have access to exclusive gatherings where well-known critics and filmmakers share their outlook on the billion-dollar film industry. The Hudson Pass also provides special access to the Tribeca/ASCAP Music Lounge and the Filmmaker, Industry and Press Lounge, in addition to 12 days of exciting film viewing. At this years Festival, Card members will also have the opportunity to view the premiere of Baby Mama, starring Tina Fey, and to attend the premieres after-party at the Museum of Modern Art on Wednesday, April 23. Tribeca Film Feast Cardmembers enjoy prix-fixe menus of three-course dinners or lunches at select restaurants around Union Square and Tribeca, with featured dishes that are inspired by films screened at the Tribeca Film Festival. Cardmembers can dine at restaurants including Chanterelle, Ecco, The Harrison, Tribeca Grill, A Voce, Blue Water Grill, Butter, Chinatown Brasserie and others, with culinary themes including spotlight, discovery, showcase, restored/rediscovered and shorts. American Express Family Festival As part of the Tribeca Family Festival on Saturday, May 3, held along Greenwich Street between Hubert and Duane Streets, American Express Cardmembers can take a break from all of the action of the day in the comfort of the American Express Cardmember Breakroom at the Tribeca Grill (375 Greenwich Street) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Visitors can enjoy complimentary food and beverage, along with interactive activities for the whole family. Tribeca Film Festival Early-on-Sale Tickets for American Express Cardmembers Beginning April 12, Cardmembers can purchase tickets to the Festival through American Express exclusive early-on-sale offerings. General ticket sales, open to the public, begin April 19, 2008. Tickets will be available online at tribecafilmfestival.org, via phone (866-941-FEST) and at the Tribeca Film Festival box offices at 15 Laight Street and 890 Broadway. American Express Cardmember early-on-sale tickets will also be available at the American Express Satellite Box Office located at the American Express Tower in the World Financial Center. Benefits for Festival Attendees Co-Sponsor of the Tribeca/ASCAP Music Lounge, Open to Festival Badge Holders American Express is a co-sponsor of the Tribeca/ASCAP Music Lounge, which offers a series of live performances to create an intimate setting for filmmakers and badge holders. At the lounge, Festival attendees can relax and enjoy performances by artists including Augustana, Brett Dennen, Chris Thile, Ingrid Michaelson, Jack Savoretti, Jessie Baylin, Joseph Arthur, Rachael Yamagata, Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche and more. Guest Information Centers, Courtesy of American Express American Express Information Centers, located at several high-traffic locations en route to Festival venues, will offer comprehensive Festival information, along with details on exclusive American Express Cardmember benefits to be enjoyed in and around the Tribeca Film Festival. At these centers, visitors are invited to ask questions, pick up Festival schedules and obtain the Tribeca Film Festival pocket guide, which includes event and screening information as well as neighborhood information. Guest Information Centers can be found at the following locations: Chambers Street and Greenwich Avenue Chambers Street and Broadway Canal Street and Sixth Avenue 17th Street and Broadway 11th Street and 3rd Avenue American Express and the Tribeca Film Festival Online The dedicated American Express site for Tribeca Film Festival at http://www.americanexpress.com/tribeca”>www.americanexpress.com/tribeca will feature a wide variety of videos capturing exclusive events and activities throughout the Festival, enabling Cardmembers and film fans across the country unique and dynamic access to director interviews, filmmaker Q&As, red carpet premieres and panel discussions. The site will also incl
ude footage of director and filmmaker interviews from past Festivals and archived videos of the most exciting content from years past. American Express will be syndicating exclusive content to entertainment, news and film websites to broaden the reach of the Festival experience. About American Express American Express Company is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850. For more information, visit http://www.americanexpress.com http://www.americanexpress.com . About Tribeca Film Festival Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff founded the Tribeca Film Festival in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan through an annual celebration of film, music and culture. The Festivals mission focuses on assisting filmmakers to reach the broadest possible audience, enabling the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promoting New York City as a major filmmaking center. Since its founding, the Festival has attracted more than two million attendees from the US and abroad and has generated more than $425 million in economic activity for New York City.