Most film festivals for 2020 are cancelled but Tribeca Enterprises is bringing the film community closer by teaming with YouTube for We Are One: A Global Film Festival. Streaming free exclusively on YouTube and featuring over 100 films co-curated by 21 of the world biggest festival brands, including Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Sundance, Toronto with Tribeca. The 10-day fest kicks off on May 29, also providing entertainment and relief to the COVID-19 pandemic via supporting organizations. (Main image credit: Black Barbie)
The word “global” means global. The festival programming is a lens to a hybrid of cultures across the world: films represent over 35 countries, include 23 narrative, 8 documentary features, 57 narrative and 15 documentary short films, 15 archived talks along with 4 festival exclusives and 5 VR programming pieces. In addition, 13 world premieres, 31 online premieres and 5 international online premieres. Selections were handpicked to highlight each participating festival.
“We are so excited to share the combined efforts of our festival partners and YouTube with the world this week,” said Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival Co-Founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal. “Together, we were able to curate a compelling slate of programming that succinctly reflects the subtle variations in style that make each festival so special. We Are One: A Global Film Festival will offer audiences an opportunity to not only celebrate the art of film, but the unique qualities that make each story we watch so memorable.”
“One of the beautiful things about films and other visual content is the ability to tell stories and bring people together, no matter where they live or where they’re from. This is a phenomenon we’ve seen at YouTube throughout the years but especially today, as people look to connect and be entertained,” added Robert Kyncl, Chief Business Officer, YouTube. “The programming coordinated by Tribeca Enterprises for We Are One: A Global Film Festival has that magical ability to transport viewers from all around the world to a special moment in time, through the unique lens that our esteemed festival partners bring.” Here are a few picks by ALT.
Cinema Cafe with Tessa Thompson and Jane Campion
Recorded live from the Sundance Film Festival, each Cinema Café invigorates the culture of conversation., informal chats round up special guests for thought-provoking discussions between Festival filmmakers and journalists.
Starts at 01:45 PM EST on May 31
Kmêdeus
Enigmatic whispers shroud a homeless eccentric in mystique—some called him a lunatic, others an artist and philosopher—and inspire this contemporary dance piece about his life on Cape Verde.
Starts at 09:00 AM EST on June 3
Black Barbie 4 min Ghana Animation, Activism/Social Issues
In a poetic animation, Comfort Arthur explores her experience with skin bleaching products. The personal journey she embarks on leads her to question societal ideals of beauty and whether she can accept herself as she is.
My Africa
Documentary – In Northern Kenya, the futures of wildlife and people are intertwined. Stand in the midst of a thundering wildebeest migration, witness a lioness snatch her prey—and meet a community dedicated to saving Africa’s wildlife. This mixed-reality, companion experience puts participants in the shoes of a Reteti Elephant Sanctuary keeper caring for the newest arrival, a baby elephant named Dudu. Narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o Features young Samburu woman, Naltwasha Leripe”
World premiere of Ricky Powell: The Individualist, which spotlights the titular legendary street photographer features interview with Natasha Lyonne and LL Cool J.
Atlantiques
Mati Diop’s richly textured documentary—both her experimental debut, and a precursor to her Grand Prix–winning feature Atlantics—tells the story of a young boy’s tragic migratory voyage in Senegal.Starts at 11:55 AM EST on June 7 Short Film
No More Wings
Drama Short Film UK
At a divergent point in their lives, two lifelong friends (Ivanno Jeremiah, Parys Jordon) meet at their favorite South London fried chicken shop.
Masterpiece –Drama, Activism/Social Issues (7 min) UK
Four young men (Michael Akinsulire, Kwame Augustine, Idris Debrand, and Emmanuel Ojiji) attend a private viewing at an exhibition. They are there to support and celebrate their friend Simbai’s (David Isiguzo) academic and creative success in his Modern & Contemporary Arts MA program. When Simbai leaves the room, his friends happen upon his prize-winning artwork—but what the hell is it
Crazy World Feature Film
Pint-sized kung fu masters face off with the evil Tiger Mafia in this action flick from Uganda’s no-budget, gonzo super-studio, Wakaliwood.
There will also be a lineup of specially-curated talks from past festivals as well as new discussions. Talks will feature Francis Ford Coppola with Steven Soderbergh, Song Kang-ho and Bong Joon-ho, Guillermo del Toro, Jane Campion and Tessa Thompson.
In addition to features, audiences will be able to access over 50 narrative and documentary shorts such as the world premiere of Japanese narrative short Yalta Conference Online (wt) which was created exclusively for the fest by director Koji Fukada.
Daughters of Chibok
Documentary, Activism/Social Issues
On April 14, 2014, the sleepy agrarian town of Chibok, in the North East zone of Nigeria, was thrust into the global spotlight when the terrorist group Boko Haram stormed the community at night and abducted 276 teenage schoolgirls from their dormitories. Daughters of Chibok deals with the aftermath of the kidnappings, and explores topical global issues of gender rights and the right to education.
Traveling While Black and Alteration Emmy-nominated documentary, a sci-fi narrative starring Bill Skarsgard, as well as titles featuring John Legend, Oprah Winfrey and Lupita Nyong’o. In addition to the great line a performance from Questlove from the legendary Roots crew good for your listening and dancing skills.
World premiere of Losing Alice, an Israeli female-fronted neo-noir psychological TV thriller as well as the two-part docuseries And She Could Be Next which chronicles the experiences of women of color running for office, including Stacey Abrams and Rashida Tlaib.
COVID-19 relief donations will go to the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, UNHCR, Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders, Leket Israel, GO Foundation and Give2Asia, among others. Audiences will be able to donate via a link on every film page.
Read the full festival schedule here. The festival runs until June 7th 2020
