The Tribeca Film Festival was founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal , Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff , reportedly in response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the consequent loss of vitality in the Tribeca neighborhood in Lower Manhattan , although there are reports that its founding was underway prior to the events of 9/11 . The inaugural festival launched after 120 days of planning with the help of more than 1,300 volunteers . It was attended by more than 150,000 people and featured several up-and-coming filmmakers . The festival included juried narrative , documentary and short film competitions ; a Restored Classics series ; a Best of New York series curated by Martin Scorsese ; 13 major panel discussions ; an all-day Family Festival ; and the premieres of studio films '' Star Wars : Episode II – Attack of the Clones , '' '' About A Boy '' , the American remake of '' Insomnia '' , '' Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood '' , '' The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen '' as well as the American premiere of '' Spider-Man 3 '' and '' The Avengers ''
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Tribeca Film Festival