Saturday, April 28------THE GRAND, a riotous comedy set int he world of high-stakes poker, had its World Premiere on Friday evening at the Tribeca Film Festival.....one of the anticipated events of a very busy weekend. The improvisational comedy, written and directed by Zak Penn (X-MEN: THE LAST STAND), is a hilarious mockumentary on America's current obsession with the high drama of competition poker. Powered by a cast of first-rated comedic talent, the film stars Woody Harrelson, as a ne'er-do-well who goes all-in to save his dead grandfather’s casino from a ruthless real estate developer. Harrelson made the scene on the red carpet, along with fellow cast members Dennis Farina, Cheryl Hines, and Richard Kind. The film will be released by Universal Pictures later this summer.

Screening as part of the ESPN/Tribeca Sports Film Festival, a sub-section of the Festival that focuses on films with sports themes, the World Premiere screening also pulled in an exciting lineup of sports stars, including NFL players from teams like the New York Jets and the New York Giants—including Mathias Kiwanuka, Mario Williams, and Leon Washington—as well as skateboarder Tony Hawk and X Games friends. Audience members and invited geusts then made their way to the gala after-party at Lotus, where party-goers mingled with athletes and cast members, and tried their hands at poker tables, hoping to make the big score. .

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Online Dailies Editor