Tribeca Film Festival - Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, and Tribeca Cinema360

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On April 22, Robert De Niro sat down with Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper for a Tribeca Talk: Storytellers to discuss Cooper’s career focusing on their past work together including Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, Joy and Limitless. During the talk, Cooper credits De Niro for “changing his life” and “impacting him in a way that he never even knew.” Additionally, Director David O. Russell made a surprise appearance to discuss their past work together including Jennifer Lawrence’s favorite moment from Silver Linings Playbook where De Niro as Cooper’s father calls him a loser. He also reminisced on a story when he first met De Niro with Joe Pesce who said, “You’re going to find out when you hang out with this guy, that if you don't give him what to say, he’s not going to say anything.”

Another point of discussion was focused on Cooper’s upcoming directorial debut, a modern adaptation of  A Star is Born, which he also produced, co-wrote, and stars in alongside Lady Gaga. Cooper goes on to say how he prepared for the role which included spending a year and a half taking vocal lessons and singing at major music festivals including Stagecoach and Glastonbury.

Cooper shared a touching story on how he met De Niro right as his dad became ill; his father soon after passed away in between Limitless and Silver Linings Playbook and the actors’ experience playing father and son was the reason they grew so close. He explained: “I got to say the word ‘dad’ all the time after my dad passed away, and I got to say it to you.”

You can view the talk here.

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Brent Hodge discussed his new film Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary with the creator of the original television series, Paul Feig, who shared that Seth Rogen only auditioned one time to join the cast. Feig is happy the cult hit, which catapulted Jason Segal, Busy Phillips and many others, has maintained its popularity and Hodge added “it’s lasted because of how honest it is.” Feig joked: “A lot of people are embarassed of their old stuff but everyone was still honored they are a part of the show.”

The Animated Shorts Curated by Whoopi G red carpet was full of smiles as the creators were joined by Whoopi Goldberg who posed for photos with the group. Tara Lipinski was on hand to support her husband Todd Kapostasy who produced a film in the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival: Sports Shorts, Sponsored by Mohegan Sun.

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Director Nia Costa answered with surprise, “Me?!” to fans calling her name outside the red carpet right before stars Tessa Thompson and Lily James met her for the world premiere of Little Woods. And showing support for their daughter Katherine Waterston were parents Sam Waterston and Lynn Louisa at the world premiere of State Like Sleep. Also in attendance were director Meredith Danluck and stars Michael Shannon and Michiel Huisman.

Director Marianna Palka and cast members Christina Hendricks, Alysia Reiner, David Alan Basche, and Gbenga Akinnagbe walked the carpet for the world premiere of their film Egg. Ansel Elgort was joined by girlfriend Violetta Komyshan and co-star Suki Waterhouse for the world premiere of his sci-fi drama Jonathan. Members from the cast of The Seagull attended the world premiere of the film at including Annette Bening, Corey Stoll, Michael Zegen, Billy Howle, Brian Dennehy, Jon Tenney, Mare Winningham, Glenn Fleshler and Dana Delany. Also in attendance was Director Michael Mayer, Producer Tom Hulce as well as friend and special guest Alec Baldwin.

The Festival’s centerpiece gala Zoe was celebrated by cast members Ewan McGregor, Léa Seydoux, Matthew Gruber, and Director Drake Doremus who attended the world premiere of their recently acquired Amazon Prime film.

The Tribeca Film Festival took a musical turn with Bathtubs Over Broadway, that follows Late Night with David Letterman writer, Steve Young discovery of Industrial Musicals. Performers sang Broadway-style “industrial musicals” inspired by the film, even breaking out into song about the Tribeca Film Festival itself. Young claimed “performers are performers are performers” speaking on how important the arts and theater are for society.

A new addition to Tribeca Immersive is Tribeca Cinema360, a VR theater featuring four curated screening programs of 360° mobile content  which opened today and runs through April 28. Tribeca Cinema360 spotlights four immersive screening programs: VR for Good Creators Lab, This is Climate Change, horror themed It’s Right Behind You, and the breathtaking experimental visions of Horizons.

Link to photos of Tribeca Cinema360 and the Tribeca Virtual Arcade featuring Storyscapes can be found here.

Photos Courtesy of SunshineSachs