Press Release - Opening Night Film TFF '09
For Immediate Release
2009 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL TO OPEN WITH WORLD PREMIERE OF WOODY ALLEN’S WHATEVER WORKS, A SONY PICTURES CLASSICS RELEASE
Film Marking Allen’s Return to New York After Four Years of Shooting Abroad Will Screen Opening Night, April 22, 2009, in New York City
[New York, February 17, 2009] - The Tribeca Film Festival and Sony Pictures Classics today announced that Woody Allen’s Whatever Works will have its world premiere as the opening night film of the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by American Express, founding sponsor of the Festival. The highly anticipated new comedy is Allen’s first film shot in New York since 2004. Whatever Works, which is written and directed by Allen, stars Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Evan Rachel Wood (The Wrestler), Patricia Clarkson (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), and Ed Begley Jr. (Pineapple Express.) The premiere will take place on Wednesday, April 22; the Festival will run through May 3.
“I fell in love with New York through Woody Allen’s movies and I am excited we are opening this year’s Festival with Sony Pictures Classics for the world premiere of Woody’s Whatever Works,” said Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal. “Whatever Works is a uniquely funny addition to his body of work.”
Whatever Works follows the success of Allen’s latest release, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, which took home the Golden Globe Award for Best Musical or Comedy and garnered Penelope Cruz the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Allen’s last film in collaboration with Sony Pictures Classics, 1999’s Sweet and Lowdown, earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Actor (Sean Penn) and Best Supporting Actress (Samantha Morton).
"A lovely idea of showing my film in a film festival in my own city. It's very exciting,” said Woody Allen.
Sony Pictures Classics states, "The opening of the Tribeca Film Festival is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Woody Allen's return to filmmaking in New York."
The 2009 Tribeca Film Festival will announce its feature film slate on March 9 and 11, 2009.
About Whatever Works
Whatever Works is written and directed by Woody Allen and stars in alphabetical order Ed Begley Jr. (Pineapple Express), Patricia Clarkson (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Evan Rachel Wood (The Wrestler). The film is produced by Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, with cinematography by Harris Savides, production design by Santo Loquasto, editing by Alisa Lepselter and costume design by Suzy Benzinger.
Sony Pictures Classics is planning a June 19 release.
Tickets for 2009 Festival
Tickets for the Festival will be $15.00 for evening and weekend screenings and $8.00 for daytime weekday and late night screenings.
Advance selection ticket packages will go on sale Monday, March 9, 2009 for American Express Cardmembers and for the general public on Monday, March 16, 2009. All advance packages can be purchased online at www.tribecafilm.com/festival or by telephone, toll free, at (866) 941-FEST (3378).
Single ticket and discounted ticket package sales begin for American Express Cardmembers on April 14, 2009, for downtown residents on April 19, 2009, and for the general public on April 20, 2009. Single tickets can be purchased online, by telephone, or at one of the Ticket Outlets located at the Tribeca Cinemas Ticket Window at 54 Varick Street, and the AMC Village VII Ticket Window at 66 Third Avenue. Downtown residents can only purchase tickets with a discount at the Tribeca Cinemas ticket window. Discounted packages can only be purchased online and by phone. The 2009 Festival will continue ticket discounts for evening and weekend screenings for students, seniors and select downtown Manhattan residents. Additional information and further details on the Festival can be found at www.tribecafilm.com/festival.
About the 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, New York City to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of the lower Manhattan district through an annual celebration of film, music and culture. The Festival’s mission is to help filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enable the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promote New York City as a major filmmaking center.
Tribeca Film Festival is well known for being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established directors. The Tribeca Festival has screened over 1100 films from over 80 countries since its first festival in 2002. Since its founding, it has attracted an international audience of more than two million attendees and has generated over $530 million in economic activity for New York City.
About the 2009 Festival Sponsors
As Founding Sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, American Express is committed to supporting the Festival and the art of film making, bringing business and energy to New York City and offering benefits that enhance the festival-going experience.
he Festival is pleased to announce the return of its Signature Sponsors: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Apple, Bloomberg, Brookfield Properties, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), Delta Air Lines, iShares, NBC 4 New York, RR Donnelley, Snapple, The New York Times, Telemundo 47 and Vanity Fair.
Contacts
Nicole Quenqua Adler / Jodi Sevin
Tribeca Film Festival
(212) 843-8000
nqadler@rubenstein.com / jsevin@rubenstein.com
Donna Daniels
Sony Pictures Classics
(347) 254-7054
ddaniels@ddanielspr.net
