The 15th annual Tribeca Film Festival kicked off last night and will run through April 24. The festival features 77 world premiere films and a special 40th anniversary screening of the iconic "Taxi Driver."

The festival was founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro, both 9/11 Memorial board members, and Craig Hatkoff in response to the devastating Sept. 11 attacks to revitalize the lower Manhattan community and New York City.

"When 9/11 happened, obviously, we thought well this would be a way to revive the neighborhood," De Niro said. "It was successful."

"I can’t say enough about what the Tribeca Film Festival has meant for the rebirth of what was potentially most at risk following 9/11: our spirit," recalled 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels. "Jane, Bob and Craig are in the midst of leaving a tremendously strong legacy based on the power of coming together that we saw in the aftermath of that terrible day."

The founders didn’t plan on making it a yearly endeavor, but the festival continues to attract crowds and talent from all over. It has become known as one of the most creatively directed film festivals in the world. This year, the festival received 6,626 submissions. A total of 101 films were selected.  Learn more here.

Hear more about the festival’s journey in De Niro’s podcast from the "Our City. Our Story." series.

By Hannah Coffman, Digital Content Manager

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Fox News’ Rise of Freedom series takes a look at the Tribeca Film Festival underway in lower Manhattan. Read more about the festival at FoxNews.com.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Nestled on the corner of Hudson and North Moore streets, Bubby’s Pie Company is nearing a major milestone.  On Thanksgiving, the restaurant will celebrate 20 years of serving American family heirloom recipes to Tribeca residents and businesses. For restaurant owner Ron Silver, this feat is particularly remarkable because the business has endured despite the impact 9/11 had on downtown businesses.

 After 9/11, low profits marked business ledgers as many downtown restaurant-goers were displaced from their homes.  Silver reopened Bubby’s days after the attacks on September 14, 2001.  He recalled the modest menu his restaurant offered  in the first few days after reopening - coffee and pancakes, free of charge.  He also remembers the outpouring of support from the community, manifested in boxes piled on sidewalks surrounding the restaurant.  The boxes contained shoes, clothes and other items to aid recovery workers at ground zero.  

This city and the nation recognized the wealth of support that swarmed the World Trade Center in the days and weeks following 9/11. Today we are just 347 days away from opening the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site.  We are grateful to Bubby’s for helping us rebuild at ground zero and to dedicate a national tribute to the nearly 3,000 victims of the terrorist attacks on the tenth anniversary.

Bubby’s recognition for their support is fitting. The restaurant is in a neighborhood that is home to the Tribeca Film Festival, which was created to help revitalize  the lower Manhattan community. The well-known festival was founded by 9/11 Memorial board directors Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal, who are also co-chairs of the Signs of Support program.  Join the 9/11 Memorial in thanking Bubby’s for their support.

 Please patronize our business supporters and learn how your business can participate in Signs of Support: www.national911memorial.org/sos

By Jenna Moonan, Marketing and Communications Manager for the 9/11 Memorial

More than 300 young, civic-minded and forward-looking professionals came out in support of the the 9/11 Memorial Visionary Circle on April 26, 2010 at the Tribeca Film Festival. The event was the second for the Visionary Circle which has succeeded in raising over $175,000 for the 9/11 Memorial. The event included a special screening of the film "The Space Between" which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Jane Rosenthal, Tribeca Film Festival Co-Founder and 9/11 Memorial Board Member, and Director Travis Fine whose film was inspired by the events of 9/11, welcomed the audience. Following the screening, attendees enjoyed a reception with  9/11 Board Member and Keating Crown who co-founded and chairs the Visionary Circle, 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels and special guest, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Chairman of the 9/11 Memorial.

A special thanks goes to the co-hosts of the Visionary Circle event for making the event such a success: Beth Amorosi, AT&T,  David Atkins, Mark Benhar- Benhar Office Interiors, Cathy Blaney, Nisha & Jamie Brodsky, Daniel Cendan, Caroline & Keating Crown, Naomi & Joseph Daniels, Richard Flood, John Gallagher, Steve Grant, Stuart Jankoff, John Jefferson, Anthoula Katsimatides, Katie & Drew Melchionni, Nicole & Joseph Naidrich, Suzanne Paxton, Paul J. Pollack, Patricia Quick, Kevin Rampe, David Ridley, Andrew Sachs, Erica & Todd Silverman, Amanda Taylor, Christine Taylor, and Donna & Isaac Zion.

Check out event photos here.

By the 9/11 Memorial staff