The Tribeca Film Festival has begun and as usual, captures the interest of every "indie"-loving community. It has become one of the more prominent fests in this fest-fueled enviornment we call independent film making. Started by "Bobs" De Niro (and a team of others including Jane Rosenthal) a few years back (as a reaction to 9/11), Tribeca has become a mecca for independent filmmakers to flock to when they need their fix. The idea that Tribeca is top-dollar, in terms of encouraging films to be relevant and meaningful within their circles and trends, is something that cannot be argued. It is one of the better events to see some great talent at work in today's age. While Sundance and Cannes continue to be the reigning kings of the alternative ventures, Tribeca (and Toronto) is quickly escalating. Tribeca, however, for all the good it does, has still suffered from the inevitable community backlash.

This year's edition (the 7th overall) has become a target of much debate. Now, that can be said for any year previous to this one, but the '08 fest is more of a redemption model than a "same shit different day" model. The organizers are actively pursuing ways to improve the successful fest's standing with the independent arts community around New York. I'm far from being a high-profile insider, so as far as I can tell, the underlying complaint with Tribeca is that it is too commercial. And that, unfortunately, is something that can be argued with (and probably should be).

The festival this year is opening with a film called Baby Mama, written and directed by Tina Fey. In addition, this year will feature documentaries funded and produced by extremely attention-deprived personalities such as Madonna (I Am Because We Are), Meryl Streep (Theater of War), and Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys (Gunnin' for That No. 1 Spot). Also being featured are films by and/or starring Sissy Spacek, Mario Van Peebles, and Lou Reed. Oh yeah, there's also Speed Racer, which was made by the Wachowski brothers, closing out the festival on the 4th...because when it comes to grassroots, guerilla film making, I think The Matrix. Obviously Tribeca likes to feature work by people who, while not backed by a studio per se, are not exactly struggling.

That concern, along with the fact that the festival is now backed by several highly controversial sponsors like American Express, seems to be getting under the skin of the purists out there. The reason for the added commercial support is primarily because the company that organizes the event, Tribeca Enterprises, broke from their not-for-profit scheme and morphed into a for-profit one before our very own unsuspecting eyes. This, understandably, angered festival attendees who complained about the rise in ticket prices ($18 per individual as of last year) and gauffed at the realization that they could not get tickets due to overcrowding from sponsor-reserved seats for the rich and famous who want to be seen at a chic event (this one coming from personal experience).

Now, I'm not going to be so ignorant as to pretend that financial security is not crucial to a continuing event such as this one. I know that without the backing of money-hungry companies, something like the Tribeca Film Festival would struggle to breath year after year and probably die on the table pretty quickly. But with the success of events like the Brooklyn Underground Film Festival and the New York Underground Film Festival in the years passed, does Tribeca really need to be massively popular on a global scale to be relevant? Many feel it shouldn't be, and perhaps De Niro and Rosenthal have heeded the call and will slowly begin to remedy your pain in the years ahead.

There are many others out there, however, who will tell you to stop your bitching and go watch some good films. I for one have my tickets for Ellite Squad and Baghead all ready to go for the next two weeks and I look forward to endulging in that advice.

Now, if they would only lower beer prices. Cheap bastards.