You know what makes it feel as though spring is just around the corner? Tribeca Film Festival news and some exciting news at that. It was just announced that Cameron Crowe’s documentary about Elton John and the collaborative effort between John, his early-career idol, Leon Russell, and producer T Bone Burnett to create the album The Union. Crowe’s film, which is also titled The Union, will kick of the festival on Wednesday, April 20^th at the North Cover at the World Financial Plaza. After the free, outdoor screening, John himself will treat the attendees to a live performance.

Tribeca Film Festival Jane Rosenthal is thrilled to put a new spin on the festival’s start. “It’s a special opportunity to open our 10th Festival in this distinct and unique way-not only are we inviting the community to join us for the world premiere of Cameron Crowe’s film The Union, but to have Elton, whose music transcends generations, perform after is an extraordinary gift to our Festival and more specifically the downtown community.” And, of course, Crowe shares her enthusiasm. He said, “We can’t wait to show it to one of the greatest audiences in the world, the Tribeca Film Festival.”

What better way to kick off the festival’s 10^th go-around? Like most festivals, TFF prides itself on its colorful, artistic and enthusiastic community, so there’s really no better way to give back to local supports than by treating them to such a grand opening. The event will likely attract quite the crowd, so who knows how accessible the event will actually be, but this is Elton John and Cameron Crowe we’re talking about; there’s no getting around that.

Festival organizers will announce the rest of the films on March 7^th and March 14^th. The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival runs from April 20^th through May 1^st.

By Perri Nemiroff