22 April 2009 – Cunard Line announces a new partnership with New York’s Tribeca Film Festival, scheduled 22 April – 3 May, attracting film enthusiasts for two weeks of premiere screenings, events and industry programmes. Among other distinctions, Cunard is recognized as the Official Cruise Line of the Festival.
A multi-faceted association, the partnership begins with Cunard sponsoring the World Documentary Competition for the 2009 Festival and then later this year will bring elements of the Tribeca Film Festival experience to the high-seas with original enrichment programming aboard the line’s flagship Queen Mary 2 during a legendary Transatlantic Crossing.
“For decades, Cunard has enjoyed a rewarding connection to the film industry, playing host to generations of Hollywood luminaries and supporting myriad of programmes to promote and advance original work in film and the arts,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “This partnership further underscores our commitment to crafting stimulating onboard experiences that speak to the interests of our guests. We look forward to working with the Tribeca Film Festival to further expand the international audience for independent film.”
Cunard Insights ~ Exclusive Tribeca Programming
Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) will provide exclusive enrichment programming aboard Queen Mary 2’s 5 November 2009 and 29 April 2010 Transatlantic Crossings in association with Cunard Insights, the line’s award winning enrichment programme. Established and emerging actors, directors, documentarians and screenwriters will be tapped to engage guests in thought-provoking discussion about the love of their craft and the multi-dimensions of movie making. TFF fans can enter (online) for a chance to win a free voyage on the 5 November Transatlantic Crossing that will feature TFF original programming at www.cunard.com/tribeca.
World Documentary Competition
Though the Tribeca Film Festival screens more than 80 films this year, documentaries are one of the festival’s strong suits. This year, Cunard will be the sponsor of the festival’s World Documentary Competition in which 12 films and their filmmakers will compete for Best Documentary Film and Best New Documentary Filmmaker.
One of these films will win the 2009 Best Documentary Award to be announced on Thursday, 30 April and in addition to prize money awarded by TFF, Cunard will present the grand prize documentary filmmaker with a Transatlantic voyage on Queen Mary 2.
“Tribeca is proud of its strong documentary lineup and we think we have found a perfect partner in Cunard to support these films. We look forward to working with them throughout the year onboard, bringing their guests our distinctive conversations,” said Nancy Schafer, executive director of the Tribeca Film Festival.
Partnering with the Tribeca Film Festival is one of a growing number of unique and relevant enrichment initiatives created by Cunard. Other programmes and partnerships under the Insights banner include performances and workshops with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, best-selling authors in the Literature & Liners Series and Cunard Book Club, Science at Sea with Oxford University Press, and the Royal Astronomical Society.
For more information about Cunard and Queen Mary 2, contact Best Cruise Buy at www.bestcruisebuy.com or 1-866-622-7447.