Cast members from Marvel’s anticipated superhero action adventure film ‘The Avengers,’ including Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg and Cobie Smulders, honored service men and women yesterday during the closing night of the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival. In attendance were first responders from the NYPD and NYFD, as well as members from the Army, Navy, air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

The service members were given the chance to attend the screening, which was held at Tribeca BMCC PAC. They were also able to meet the cast on the red carpet.

Of the closing night festivities, ‘The Avengers’ director Joss Whedon said “Showing at Tribeca is both an honor and a double homecoming for me, who grew up in Manhattan, and for the movie, which wrapped production here. I’m thoroughly psyched to be closing the festival with our intimate little think-piece.”

Jane Rosenthal, the Co-Founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, said ‘The Avengers’ “is an exciting ride that absolutely transports audiences. It is the perfect way to end our 11th festival.”

Also expressing his excitement over ‘The Avengers’ closing this year’s festival was Marvel Studio’s producer Kevin Feige. He said “We are proud that Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’ is the closing film of this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and we are excited to welcome local heroes to the screening as special guests…when it really counts, it’s our real-life heroes who save the world every day by making it a better place for all of us.”

Written by: Karen Benardello