Hey folks, the Tribeca Film Festival kicks off today (April 18) in New York and aside from the interesting films that will be screening in Lower Manhattan, there are quite a few opportunities to meet some of your favorite stars and filmmakers at our local Apple Stores.
Wednesday, April 18 (West 14th St)
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Meet the Musician: Melanie Fiona
Join Grammy-winning soulstress Melanie Fiona for a discussion of her life and career. Hailed for her unique ability to mix classic R&B/soul influences with hip-hop swagger, the Canadian-born singer took the charts by storm with her debut album, “The Bridge.” Don’t miss this chance to meet Melanie and see her perform a few songs from her just-released follow-up album, “The MF Life.”
Wednesday, April 18 (SoHo)
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Meet the Actor: John Cusack, “The Raven”
Join actor John Cusack (“Being John Malkovich”) as he discusses his role as Edgar Allan Poe in his new film, “The Raven.” The movie is a gritty thriller in which Poe joins forces with a young Baltimore detective to hunt down a mad serial killer who is using Poe’s own works as the inspiration for a string of brutal murders.
Friday, April 20 (West 14th St)
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Tribeca Film Festival: Picture Paris
Join actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) and director Brad Hall (SNL) as they discuss their short film, “Picture Paris.” With her son leaving for college, an ordinary suburban mom (Louis-Dreyfus) compensates for her empty nest by planning a life-changing trip to Paris. When her plans go hilariously awry, she finds herself wondering if she’ll ever have what she really desires: Love, passion, revenge…and Paris.
Friday, April 20 (West 14th St)
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Tribeca Film Festival: Your Sister’s Sister
Join director Lynn Shelton (Humpday) for a discussion of her new film, “Your Sister’s Sister.” The story begins when Iris (Emily Blunt) invites her friend Jack (Mark Duplass) to stay at her family’s remote getaway while he grieves the death of his brother. Iris drops in unexpectedly on the heels of Jack’s drunken encounter with Iris’ sister, Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt), resulting in a rivalry and other surprising revelations.
Saturday, April 21 (SoHo)
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Meet the Filmmakers: “The Pirates! Band of Misfits”
Join actor Hugh Grant and director Peter Lord as they discuss their new film, “The Pirates! Band of Misfits.” Grant stars in his first animated role as the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain – a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the high seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side and seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the captain has one dream: to beat out his bitter rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz for the much coveted Pirate of the Year Award.
Saturday, April 21 (West 14th St)
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tribeca Film Festival: Jack and Diane
Join filmmaker Bradley Rust Gray (The Exploding Girl) and actor Riley Keough (The Runaways) for a discussion of their new drama, “Jack and Diane.” The film follows two teenage girls, Jack (Keough) and Diane (Juno Temple), who meet in New York City and spend the night kissing ferociously. When Diane reveals she must soon leave the city for school in Europe, their budding relationship is put to the test. Weaving horror elements into a distinctive yet universal love story, Gray brings his unique vision to this idiosyncratic story of the joys and terrors of first love.
Saturday, April 21 (West 14th St)
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Tribeca Film Festival: Mansome
Join Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (The Greatest Movie Ever Sold and Super Size Me), actors Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses) and Will Arnett (Up All Night), and producer Ben Silverman for a discussion of “Mansome,” Spurlock’s new documentary on men’s grooming habits.
Sunday, April 22 (West 14th St)
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Tribeca Film Festival: Struck by Lightning
Join Golden Globe winner Chris Colfer (Kurt on “Glee”) and director Brian Dannelly for a discussion of their new coming-of-age comedy, “Struck by Lightning.” Starring and produced by Colfer, this film tells the story of Carson Phillips (Colfer) who (after being struck and killed by lightning) explains how he blackmailed his classmates into contributing to his literary magazine.
Sunday, April 22 (West 14th St)
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tribeca Film Festival: Side by Side
Join director Chris Kenneally and industry experts for a discussion of the documentary “Side by Side,” produced and presented by Keanu Reeves. The film takes us on a journey through the rise of digital filmmaking – and addresses the aesthetic implications caused by the transition away from traditional film.
Monday, April 23 (West 14th St)
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tribeca Film Festival: Sleepless Night
Join filmmaker Frédéric Jardin for a discussion of his film “Sleepless Night.” It’s the story of a botched drug heist with dangerous implications — as one of the drug carriers escapes after stabbing the robbers and seeing their faces. The robbers are then left in possession of the drugs — which belong to a mob boss who will do anything to retrieve his property.
Monday, April 23 (SoHo)
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tribeca Film Festival: Location Scouting Event with Nick Carr
Location scouting expert Nick Carr has worked on some of Hollywood’s top films, including “Spider-Man 3,” “The Smurfs,” and “Night at the Museum.” He’ll discuss finding locations on a very tight budget, what to do when you can’t find what you’re looking for, and other necessary scouting considerations. Nick will share some of his personal experiences and answer questions.
Tuesday, April 24 (West 14th St)
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tribeca Film Festival: The Giant Mechanical Man
Join actor Jenna Fischer (“The Office”) and director Lee Kirk as they discuss their new film, “The Giant Mechanical Man,” an offbeat romantic comedy about a silver-painted street performer and the soft-spoken zoo worker who falls for him.
More Tribeca Film Festival free events over here.