On Monday night, Lower Manhattan’s iconic Odeon bistro played host to the Tribeca Film Festival’s 17th annual artists dinner. Shielded by a tent, celebrities made their way past eager onlookers trying to catch a glimpse of the red carpet arrivals.
A Star-Studded Evening
Among the stars was Selma Blair, accompanied by her service dog Scout, highlighting her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis since 2018. Blake Lively, arriving fashionably late in Chanel—one of the event’s sponsors—charmed photographers with an apology for her tardiness, joking, “I would’ve bought you Shake Shack or something,” as she struck a pose.
Inside, over a hundred notable actors, directors, and artists gathered. The Odeon, famed for its steak frites and a favorite among celebrities since the 1980s, was even more dazzling than usual. This year’s dinner honored artists who donated works to the film festival winners, with Chanel ensuring a guest list brimming with famous faces.
Honoring Robert De Niro
A significant part of the evening was dedicated to celebrating Robert De Niro, the festival’s co-founder, who turned 80 last year. “De Niro Con,” a series of screenings, talks, and an immersive exhibit, is set to start on June 14. De Niro welcomed the celebration with good humor, noting it was preferable to “being trashed” or criticized—a subtle nod to recent public exchanges with former President Donald Trump.
A Night of Mingling
Throughout the night, staff navigated the bustling room, serving steak frites and burgers to guests seated at flower-adorned tables. Among the attendees were Natasha Lyonne and Trevor Noah, engaged in lively conversation, while Chloe Fineman and Olivia Munn chatted nearby. Colman Domingo browsed art books placed on the restaurant’s seats.
Blake Lively shared a table with architect Peter Marino and Moda Operandi co-founder Lauren Santo Domingo. Grace Gummer and her husband, record producer Mark Ronson, conversed with singer Lily Allen. Katie Holmes was seen in discussion with Jane Rosenthal, the chief executive of Tribeca Enterprises, who co-founded the festival alongside De Niro and real estate investor Craig Hatkoff.
Reflecting on De Niro’s Legacy
In a quieter corner, De Niro and his partner Tiffany Chen sat with Jude Law and director Darren Aronofsky. Guests reminisced about their earliest memories of De Niro’s films. Selma Blair cited “Raging Bull” as her childhood favorite, while Hari Nef mentioned “Taxi Driver.” Blake Lively and Camila Mendes both fondly recalled “Meet the Fockers,” with Mendes praising De Niro’s comedic timing.
Wrapping Up the Evening
Around 10 p.m., Jane Rosenthal invited guests to visit the “De Niro Is An Icon” exhibit at Spring Studios, showcasing items from De Niro’s archives, including scripts, props, and photographs. As the evening wound down, Jude Law headed to the exhibit, and Selma Blair, with Scout by her side, gracefully exited, thanking the staff on her way out.
The evening was a blend of celebration and reflection, honoring both the artistic community and the enduring legacy of Robert De Niro.
