The Seventh Annual Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) 2008 Opening Press Conference, presented by American Express was held at the Borough of Manhattan Community College/Tribeca Performing Arts Center, New York, Wednesday, April 23, 10:00 am. TFF08 press conference speakers included New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York State Governor David Paterson, Chief Marketing Officer, John D. Hayes, American Express Company, Festival Co-founder Jane Rosenthal, Festival Artistic Director/Director Peter Scarlet, and Festival Juror Doug Liman, TFF.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Governor David Paterson will sign legislation to increase tax incentives for films made in New York. Major Bloomberg said, "NYC is the only city in the country that offers tax credit to film and TV productions." Films made in NY will get 30% State credit and 5% NYC credit. For further information, visit http://www.nyc.gov/film.

On April 24, Deluxe New York ribbon cutting ceremony was held by Ronald O. Perelman, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal, Ethan & Joel Coen, Doug Liman, Harvey Weinstein and Brett Ratner. Deluxe, a new state of the art motion picture laboratory EFILM® digital intermediate facility located at 435 Hudson Street is schedule to open for business in May, 2008. For more information, visit http://www.bydeluxe.com

This year's festival opening night premiere film of BABY MAMA, directed by Michael McCullers, was held at the Ziegfeld Theatre, Wednesday, April 23, and opened nationwide April 25. The closing night premiere film of SPEED RACER, directed by the Wachowski Brothers, held at BMCC/TPAC, Saturday, May 3, opens nationwide on May 9.
Maria Esteves
For further information, visit http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org

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