On Friday, a number of established and emerging Hollywood figures—including Meg Ryan, Jodie Foster, Katie Holmes, Catherine Hardwicke, Myhala, AnnaSophia Robb, and Tommy Dorfman—joined Tribeca Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal at the Greenwich Hotel to celebrate "Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Women's Filmmaker Program" at its annual luncheon.
At this star-studded event, guests dressed in their finest Chanel summer attire mingled on the hotel's first floor with key executives from the festival, the Through Her Lens program, and Tribeca Enterprises. Among them was CEO Rebecca Glashow, who celebrated the festival, the company, and the program's history of women-led leadership. "At Tribeca, I'm proud to say that over 70 percent of our team is women," Glashow said to applause. "But beyond that number, it reflects a culture built on the belief that a diverse voice makes things stronger, more creative, and more connected to the world around us. This belief underpins everything we do at Tribeca, and it's what makes Through Her Lens so special.".
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Glashow handed the microphone to Rosenthal, who began by congratulating director Quinn Whitney Wilson on Netflix acquiring the world premiere rights to the film "« Jean-Michel Basquiat"» (Tribeca Festival world premiere) and her directorial debut in documentary film. After thunderous applause, cheers, and a little dancing, Rosenthal thanked Chanel for its continued support of the event, before delivering her always inspiring speech.
Standing alongside Glashow, Through Her Lens advisory board member Patty Jenkins, Tribeca Festival executive vice president of artist relations and special events Nancy Lefkowitz, and Tribeca Enterprises vice president of Tribeca Studios and artist development Bryce Norbitz, Rosenthal recalled, «Tribeca was born out of the belief that culture can help restore what fear and hatred tried to destroy. Twenty-five years later, I believe that as strongly as I did then, and Through Her Lens is an integral part of that vision.».
Inside the hotel, as the crowd—which also included Maggie Rogers, Cazzie David, Ella Beattie, Ari Greiner, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Debi Mazar, and Francesca Scorsese—came out onto the courtyard, Rosenthal spoke candidly. «Let’s be honest about what’s really at stake. It’s never just about representation. It’s about power. Who gets the funding? Who gets the microphone? Who gets to share the story? Who gets remembered?» she said. «History is erased when contributions go unrecognized, when accomplishments aren’t celebrated, when stories are never funded, never created, never preserved.».
«It changes our sense of what’s possible. That’s why your work matters,» she continued. “Not just because you make films, but because you shape culture. You help us understand each other; you challenge what we think we know; you create empathy in a world that increasingly rewards outrage.”.
A few days earlier, at the Perelman Center for the Performing Arts, located across from the World Trade Center, Rosenthal and Tribeca Festival co-founder Robert De Niro expressed similar sentiments, celebrating the festival's 25th anniversary and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's contribution to its launch with 1,300 volunteers just 120 days after 9/11. Among those in attendance that evening were Whoopi Goldberg, Ayo Edebiri, Rosanna Arquette, Denis Leary, and Marcus Samuelsson.
«"The festival's opening coincided with a day when Lower Manhattan was still reeling from the aftermath. Much was uncertain, and many believed the area might never recover," Bloomberg recalled in his speech Monday evening. "Few believed the area could emerge stronger and more vibrant than ever. But I know both Bob and Jane did.".
Festival co-founder Robert De Niro said at a private event: "We couldn't have even held the first festival without Mike's innovative and passionate support. Gathered in this room today are people who have contributed so much to the festival. I'm not saying Mike Bloomberg towers over us all, but I will say he stands out.".
Rosenthal was clear in her praise for Bloomberg and his administration's role in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan through the festival, and also noted the contributions of other politicians, such as former Governor George Pataki, who "in 2002, walked with Liam Neeson and me to every firehouse in Lower Manhattan, handing out tickets." Rosenthal particularly noted how Bloomberg's personal contributions brought the city "back from the brink," she said. "Mike's predecessor calls himself America's mayor, but we're lucky Mike Bloomberg was mayor of New York City.".
Both events reflected the authenticity, resilience, tenacity, innovation, and sense of community that drive the festival. At the Through Her Lens dinner, film director «"Twilight"» и «"Thirteen"» Hardwicke recalled that "opening night, when they told the story of [the festival] surrounding 9/11 and the lead-up to it. It's incredible that [Rosenthal] and Robert had the foresight to create such a remarkable, seismic event that changed this area. How can you not admire her?"«
«"In 2001, everything about this festival seemed completely impossible," Drena De Niro said in a separate interview on Friday. "I saw Jane, driven by passion, take charge of this, get my father involved, get everyone in the community involved. It's just incredibly moving and amazing. Jane is one of the most driven people I know. She doesn't waste time on all the reasons why something might not happen, and I truly admire her determination and confidence.".
The result, according to De Niro, is a festival and event featuring Chanel that "is non-competitive, and that's so wonderful. You realize we all want the same thing. We all want to tell our story, we all want respect, we all want to connect. And here we are, all together, as one, celebrating the same goal.".
According to Glashow, the festival's goals, as expected, are similar to those of Through Her Lens—namely, the focused development of community and creativity. "My main goal is to continue to expand the audience, keeping an eye on the next wave. How do we make sure they respond, that they know this is a place where they can tell their stories and find support?" she said.
«"I certainly see it growing. The question is, can it launch at a different time of year, in a different way, where we can dive deeper into one of our core industries?" she continues. "Expanding internationally is a huge priority. This brand means a lot. It really resonates with our unique, people-focused approach to festivals—we see it resonating in Portugal and having the same impact it has in New York, both in terms of engaging with the local community, attracting industry, and significantly supporting the city's economy.".
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