July 19th, 2018

NEW YORK, NY– July 19, 2018 –Tribeca Film Festival and Nitehawk Cinema have announced its fifth Summer Series, presenting a curated series of three short films from the 17th annual Tribeca Film Festival presented by AT&T and the features that influenced them, taking place every Tuesday, August 7-21.

With both institutions ingrained in the New York film community, Tribeca Film Festival and Nitehawk Cinema have partnered since 2014 to present audiences with reprise screenings of the festival’s most talked about documentaries, emphasizing New York filmmakers. Past films have included such documentaries as Nas: Time is IIlmatic and Live from New York.

This year, the series moves away from documentary to focus on up-and-coming short filmmakers who premiered at this past year’s Tribeca. Each of the short filmmakers were asked to select a feature film that inspired them when they were directing their short film. American Movie and True Romance will play in 35mm with Blood Simple on DCP. Each feature will follow the short film they helped to inspire. The first two short films in this series were part of Tribeca N.O.W. Showcase: Short Form while Big Elvis screened during the Shorts: NY Shorts: Homemade program. The line-up is as follows:

August 7 - Crime Cutz followed by American Movie. Introduced by Alden Nusser and Benjamin Fries also known as synthpop duo Holy Ghost!
August 14 - Everything is Stories followed by Blood Simple. Introduced by Daniel Navetta
August 21 - Big Elvis followed by True Romance. Introduced by Paul Stone and Claudia Montano

Ben Fries and Alden Nusser, directors of the short film Crime Cutz, screen American Movie discussed their inspiration saying, "American Movie is an example of documentary filmmaking that proves real people can be more compelling and hilarious than anything you could write."

Everything is Stories creators Garrett Crowe, Mike Martinez, and Tyler Wray and Director Daniel Navetta on why they selected Blood Simple: "The list of films that influenced our short doc is undoubtedly a long one, as just too many have been embedded in our subconscious over the years. Not having the luxury of weeks to debate and decide we landed on Blood Simple - a film where the mood of the opening monologue alone captures the spirit of EIS and the subjects we choose to pursue. The Coen Brothers’ 1984 debut is one we’ll always look to for its nuanced characters, dark sense of humor, and ultimate beauty in the face of desperation."

Big Elvis is heavily influenced by Tony Scott’s use of color, particularly in True Romance, written by Quentin Tarantino. “When I was 29 I started my commercial production and editorial company called Firebrand Films and ran it out of Ridley and Tony Scott’s New York SoHo office for 8 years,” said director Paul Stone. “They were my mentors early on, and being at RSA was my film school. I digitized, studied and re-edited their films on an Avid to crack the code of their genius. True Romance was my favorite Tony Scott film, and I have watched it at least a hundred times. I was inspired by the way that Tony used Elvis Presley as a spiritual character in True Romance and was fascinated to discover that Pete "Big Elvis" Vallee had the same spiritual qualities.”

"We enjoy partnering with Tribeca Film Festival each year to continue supporting the independent filmmaker community by providing an additional platform," said Caryn Coleman, Nitehawk Cinema director of programming and special projects. “Our partnership began in documentary and last year we partnered in a similar way on Tribeca’s midnight program. More than ever before, short filmmaking is an increasingly valuable medium of storytelling.”

“It’s a pleasure to continue partnering with Nitehawk to highlight the amazing work being done by our locally-based Tribeca alumni, especially those working in the short form. For this summer’s series, we pass the programming baton to the filmmakers themselves. We look forward to celebrating these newly minted Tribeca alumni as filmmakers, as New Yorkers, and now, as co-curators,” said Cara Cusumano, Tribeca Film Festival director of programming.

Tickets on sale now. For pricing, screening times and more information on the films, please visit www.nitehawkcinema.com

About the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, brings together visionaries across industries and diverse audiences to celebrate the power of storytelling. A platform for independent filmmaking, creative expression and immersive entertainment, Tribeca supports emerging and established voices, discovers award-winning filmmakers, curates innovative and interactive experiences, and introduces new technology and ideas through panels, premieres, exhibitions, and live performance.

Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2001, following the attacks on the World Trade Center, Tribeca has evolved from an annual event to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan to a gathering place for filmmakers, artists, innovators, and the global creative community. Through programs that embrace storytelling in all of its expansive forms – from film and music to video games and online work, TFF reimagines the cinematic experience and explores how art can unite communities.

About Nitehawk Cinema:
Nitehawk Cinema is New York’s premier dine-in theater, pairing exemplary first-run and repertory film programming along with tableside service. Every Nitehawk cinematic experience strives to enhance the audience’s viewing with a creative framework whether by creating a specialty menu with fresh, local house-made ingredients inspired by the films we love, a live band accompaniment or special guest Q&As. Unique signature programming highlights a wide and diverse range of film spanning from rare 35mm prints to new independent films by local filmmakers. Special programming for weekend brunches and midnites can also be experienced each month. Each film also features a tailored thirty-minute “pre-show” filled with content curated by the cinema department.
In 2011, Nitehawk overturned a prohibition-era state liquor law banning alcohol in theaters, becoming the first dine-in theater to open in New York State. Located at 136 Metropolitan Avenue at Berry Street, Nitehawk Williamsburg is a triplex, hosting 92-, 60- and 34-seat theaters. Lo-Res, Nitehawk’s downstairs bar, offers full-service food and handcrafted cocktails, local brews and distillers; as well as outdoor seating during the warmer months. A second location, Nitehawk Prospect Park, opens in 2018 and will feature seven screens totaling 650 seats, a double kitchen, two bars and a restored atrium overlooking the park. www.nitehawkcinema.com

Media Contact:
Nitehawk Cinema
Alexa Harrison
718-963-2917 / alexa@nitehawkcinema.com

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