Film Fest's Infancy

Director Martin Scorsese, New York Gov. George Pataki, actress Meryl Streep, actor Robert DeNiro, Empire State Development Corporation Chairman Charles Gargano, and actor Edward Burns attend the launch of the first annual Tribeca Film Festival Dec. 6, 2001, in New York. The festival, scheduled to take place in May 2002, is aimed at revitalizong Lower Manhattan after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Actor Robert DeNiro and director Martin Scorsese announce the creation of the first annual Tribeca Film Festival Dec. 6, 2001, in New York.

Actor Robert DeNiro, center, speaks as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, right, and American Express Chairman and CEO Kenneth Chenault, left, look on March 21, 2002, during a news conference in New York. DeNiro announced plans for the first annual Tribeca Film Festival, May 18-22, 2002, to help revitalize Lower Manhattan following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Actor Alan Cummings , left, gets a kiss from actor Gabriel Byrne as they arrive for a party to launch the Tribeca Film Festival May 7, 2002 in New York.

Actor/comedian Billy Crystal, left, and his wife Janice arrive for a party to launch the Tribeca Film Festival May 7, 2002 in New York.

Actress Hilary Swank arrives for a party to launch the Tribeca Film Festival May 7, 2002 in New York.

Actor Kevin Bacon, left, and his wife, actress Kyra Sedgwick, arrive for a party to launch the Tribeca Film Festival May 7, 2002 in New York.

Actor Robert DeNiro answers questions at a news conference for the Tribeca Film Festival May 8, 2002 in New York. The first annial festival presented 100 screenings, including the premiere of "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones."

Former South African Presdent Nelson Mandela, second from left, laughs with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, and actors Robert DeNiro, Hugh Grant and Whoopi Goldberg May 8, 2002, during opening ceremonies for the Tribeca Film Festival at New York's City Hall. DeNiro is the co-director of the festival, which opened May 8 with the film "About a Boy," starring Grant.

Director Martin Scorsese with food critic Gael Greene during a discussion of "Food in Film" as part of the first annual Tribeca Film Festival at the Screening Room in New York.

Actor Al Pacino hugs actress Maura Tierney as they pose for photographers before the premiere of the movie "Insomnia" at the Tribeca Film Festival, May 11, 2002, in the Tribeca section of New York. The film stars Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank, with Tierney also appearing.

Artist, sculptor, and filmmaker Julian Schnabel holds up the award he designed for the award winners of the Tribeca Film Festival May 12, 2002, in New York. The festival was co-organized by actor Robert De Niro as a way to revitalize the Tribeca area of lower Manhattan, the neighborhood where he lives and which is close to the site of the former World Trade Center.

Storm Troopers arrive for the screening of "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" May 12, 2002, in New York. The Children's Aid Society benefit screening of the film took place on the final day of the first annual Tribeca Film Festival.

Actress Natalie Portman arrives for the screening of her movie "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" May 12, 2002, in New York. The screening, a benefit for the Children's Aid Society, took place on the last day of the very first Tribeca Film Festival.

Musician David Bowie performs at the MTV's Rock and Comedy Concert at Battery Park during the Tribeca Film Festival May 10, 2002 in New York.

Musician Wyclef Jean, right, performs at the MTV's Rock and Comedy Concert at Battery Park during the first annual Tribeca Film Festival May 10, 2002, in New York.

Actor Alan Alda answers questions at the "Making Science More Sexy" panel during the Tribeca Film Festival May 10, 2002, in New York.