Elton John will perform at the Tribeca Film Festival following free screening of THE UNION, Cameron Crowe’s documentary about his collaboration with Leon Russell
Tickets are now on sale for American Express cardholders only (downtown residents can buy tickets on April 17 and the rest of us April 18) for the tenth annual Tribeca Film Festival (April 20 – May 1), a more streamlined, manageable version of the festival that initially tried to be all things to all people, but there are a host of events that you don’t need tickets — or any money at all — for. On April 20 at 8:15, Cameron Crowe’s The Union, a documentary about the recent collaboration between Elton John and Leon Russell, will have its world premiere, screening for free at the World Financial Center, followed by a live performance by the former Reginald Kenneth Dwight; the only way in is by getting a wristband (two per person) beginning at 4:00 that day at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. The Tribeca Drive-In, also held at the World Financial Center, will show four films, all preceded by special activities and programming, beginning with Fame (Alan Parker, 1980) on April 21 and continuing with When the Drum Is Beating (Whitney Dow, 2011) on April 22, followed by a live performance by documentary subjects Septentrional, and The Muppets Take Manhattan (Frank Oz, 1984) on April 23, with face-painting, sing-alongs, trivia, and surprise guests. The free series of Tribeca Talks: Industry panel discussions, which take place at 2:30 at the SVA Theater on West 23rd St., consists of “Amplify the Message: Social Media,” moderated by the Wooster Collective’s Marc Schiller, on April 22; “Meet the Documentary Broadcasters” on April 23; “Are Documentary Films Changing the World?,” moderated by Sandi DuBowski, on April 24; “Digital by Design” with Edward Burns on April 26; “The Business of Entertainment,” with Charlie Rose interviewing Jeff Bewkes and Joe Roth, on April 27; “Shooting Film on a Budget” with Michael Cuesta on April 28; and “Shooting Anamorphic” with cinematographer Frederick Elmes on April 29. Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper, at the Union Square Barnes & Noble, will examine “Based on True Events” on April 23 and “Writing the Documentary” on April 25, while Peter Bart will be in conversation with Geoffrey Gilmore on April 24, all at 1:00. On April 29 at 5:30 at the SVA Theater, Jared Cohen will moderate “Youth Radicalization Redefined,” speaking with six former extremists who are now dedicating their lives to community and youth education. The annual Family Festival Street Fair is scheduled for April 30 on Greenwich St. between Hubert and Chambers Sts., including a free family screening at 3:00 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, while Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day will feature sports activities and personalities on North Moore St. between Greenwich and West Sts. the same day. In addition, the Apple Stores on Prince St. and West 14th St. will be hosting free workshops and Meet the Filmmakers programs April 22-30; among those participating at the SoHo location are Will Ferrell (April 26, 6:00), Ed Burns (April 27, 6:00), Zach Braff (April 28, 5:00), Eva Mendes (April 28, 6:00), Michael Rapaport (April 29, 6:00).