Tribeca plans in-person, outdoor 2021 film festival

‘As New York emerges from the shadow of Covid-19, it seems just right to bring people together again in-person for our 20th anniversary festival’

Tribeca plans in-person, outdoor 2021 film festival (Getty Images)

The Tribeca Festival has announced plans to return as an in-person event for its upcoming 20th anniversary, with events running from June 9-20.

“As New York emerges from the shadow of Covid-19, it seems just right to bring people together again in-person for our 20th anniversary festival,” said Robert De Niro, the festival’s co-founder, in a statement. Tribeca was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, the 12-day event will reportedly take place mostly outdoors, and festival organisers are set to work with the New York State Department of Health to make sure that all events comply with Covid-19 safety protocols.

According to Variety, screenings and discussions will be held across New York’s five boroughs, including at Brookfield Place New York, the Pier 57 Rooftop, The Battery, Hudson Yards, Empire Outlets in Staten Island and The MetroTech Commons in Brooklyn.

Tribeca will also host community screenings in all New York City boroughs via 40-foot LED cinemas. The fest will also commemorate Juneteenth, which falls on its closing night.

Tribeca’s plans were made in unison with the NY PopsUp initiative, which is working to bring back live entertainment.

“Tribeca is a community of the most resilient and talented storytellers on the planet,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises and the Tribeca Festival. “In 20 years, our community of creators and partners have become a family. This summer we are excited to reunite as Tribeca becomes a centerpiece of live entertainment in neighborhoods across New York City.”

Other major film festivals have been mostly virtual this year, such as Sundance, SXSW, and Berlin International Film Festival. That said, this year's Cannes Film Festival, typically held in May in France, is set to be in-person this July.