The Tribeca Film Festival held in New York will be an in-person event this year, founder Robert De Niro has said.

The festival, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, was founded in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack as part of the cultural revitalization of the Tribeca area of the city.

In a statement, De Niro said: “The Tribeca Film Festival was born out of our mission to bring people together in the aftermath of 9/11. We’re still doing it.

We’ve got news—Tribeca Festival is back with live events! Safely enjoy innovative community screenings across all boroughs and in-person events hosted at notable New York City spots like The Battery, Pier 57, & Hudson Yards. Follow the link to learn more: https://t.co/vfa6CRcuRs pic.twitter.com/exe5jwI3cx

“And as New York emerges from the shadow of COVID-19, it seems just right to bring people together again in-person for our 20th anniversary festival.”

The 12-day festival will host in-person community screenings across New York State – which has been one of the hardest-hit parts of the US by COVID-19.

“Tribeca is a community of the most resilient and talented storytellers on the planet. In 20 years, that community of creators and our partners have become a family,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises and the Tribeca Festival.

“This summer we are excited to reunite as Tribeca becomes a centrepiece of live entertainment in neighbourhoods across New York City.”

New York is slowly reopening its economy and has recently launched the Excelsior Pass, which will allow people who have been vaccinated to use a wider range of services in the state.

Earlier in the month, Dr Anthony Fauci, the US government’s COVID-19 adviser, said that people who had been fully vaccinated would be able to ditch masks and social distancing and begin to live life as close to normal as possible.

Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Last year’s Tribeca Festival was cancelled as a result of the pandemic, and most other events have been virtual over the past 12 months.

The Tribeca Film Festival for will take place for 12 days from 9 June, with organisers saying they are working closely with New York State Department of Health to ensure its safety.

Related posts:

Love Island confirmed for summer return – but location still up in the air Vicar Of Dibley fans reveal the show’s funniest joke – and Alice didn’t get it ‘She’s not a bully’: Meghan’s friends hit back at claims ahead of Oprah interview Cruise deepfake creator warns people to ‘think twice’ over trick videos Auction of Banksy work hopes to raise millions for NHS Cannes rubbishes rumours of COVID cluster after James Bond star tests positive Jesy Nelson releases first single since leaving Little Mix Kim Kardashian West says she split from Kanye because of his “personality” in ruthless joke Jesy Nelson addresses ‘blackfishing’ criticism – as Nicki Minaj hits out at Little Mix star Instagram viral pet photo trend seems unlikely to end in millions of trees being planted ‘I feel her inside of me all the time’: Lady Gaga on playing the murderer at the heart of the House of Gucci Met Police told to reinvestigate complaint by Caroline Flack’s mother about decision to charge star