The Tribeca Film Festival was founded seven years ago after the 9/11 attacks to revitalize lower Manhattan through a celebration of film and culture. Since its founding, the Festival has generated more then $425 million in economic activity for New York City. It has been a home to more than 950 filmmakers debuting stories from around the corner to around the globe.

Each year, the strength of the film program has increased. The acclaimed documentary, Taxi to the Dark Side, which premiered and was acquired at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival, was just nominated for Best Documentary at the 2008 Academy Awards. Another 2008 Academy Award nominee, Salim Baba, had its North American debut at the 2007 Festival and is now up for Best Documentary Short Subject. The 2007 Festival also featured more than 30 films that received distribution.