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| Love, Gilda will open Tribeca Film Festival Photo: Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival |
The Tribeca Film Festival has announced it will open its 17th edition with the world premiere of documentary Love, Gilda on April 18.
The film, which is the feature debut of director Lisa D'Apolito, celebrates the life and work of comedian Gilda Radner. A trailblazer for female comedians, her impact on the entertainment industry has endured almost four decades.
The festival say the film is "a true autobiography of a pioneering woman, told in her own words and in her own voice". The pres release adds: "It weaves together audiotapes, rare home movies, diary entries, and interviews with her friends and those inspired by her including: Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Cecily Strong; SNL original cast members Chevy Chase, Laraine Newman, and Paul Shaffer; as well as Lorne Michaels (SNL creator and producer), Alan Zweibel (SNL writer), Stephen Schwartz (Broadway composer); Andrew Alexander (CEO of Second City), and long-time friend and actor Martin Short."
Co-founder and CEO of the festival Jane Rosethal said: “As a Festival that has always supported women’s voices and is largely run by women we are incredibly proud to celebrate the inimitable voice of Gilda during the opening night of our Festival.”
“Gilda Radner was a powerful comedic force of nature who opened doors and thrilled audiences while becoming one of the most prolific comedians of a generation. Her cutting edge humour was only second to her dedicated leadership in cancer care with her eponymous Gilda’s Club.”
D’Apolito said: “I fell in love with Gilda Radner while doing pro bono work at Gilda's Club, the cancer support organization Gene Wilder founded in honor of Gilda, in Greenwich Village where I grew up. This started my journey to discover who Gilda was as a person and as a performer. Gilda inspired me and many other women with her remarkable spirit and unique talent that changed the world of comedy. I’m grateful and honoured to share the extraordinary legacy of Gilda Radner at the Tribeca Film Festival.”
The festival's full feature's slate will be announced on March 7.
