1. TRIBECA FILM FEST PULLS ANTI-VACCINE DOC AFTER OUTCRY: The Tribeca Film Festival has canceled a screening of an anti-vaccine documentary from a widely discredited doctor following an outcry from the medical and documentary film community. Festival co-founder Robert De Niro, who has a child with autism, released a statement explaining the decision to pull the film, Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe, which was directed and co-written by Andrew Wakefield. Critics also noted that the film festival’s description did not disclose that Wakefield’s medical license has been revoked and that his study purporting to show links between vaccines and autism was retracted from the British medical journal The Lancet. The New York Times: “When the festival’s plan to show the film was made public on Tuesday, filmmakers and medical experts were vocal in their condemnation of it. The documentarian Penny Lane ('Our Nixon') posted an open letter on Thursday in Filmmaker Magazine telling the festival that the screening ‘threatens the credibility of not just the other filmmakers in your doc slate, but the field in general.’ … Doctors and infectious disease experts also spoke out.” http://nyti.ms/1VPPYz3
2. CANNES PLANS INCREASED SECURITY: Security will be tighter at the Cannes Film Festival in May, with a former Israeli general providing recommendations on how to protect the city from a terrorist attack during its signature event. New York Post: “Under his recommendations in Cannes, there will reportedly be more controls at entry points into the swanky city, and, in case of any attack by sea, maritime authorities will be checking any vessels arriving in the bay. Additionally, detailed plans of all main hotels along Cannes’ main drag — La Croisette, which includes fancy digs like the Martinez, Carlton and Majestic Barrière — have reportedly been made available to the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, a special-ops wing of the French military. … In the wake of Nuriel’s report, simulation exercises were expected in Cannes before the festival.” http://pge.sx/1UPvZRw
3. BRUSSELS TERROR VICTIM WAS ASPIRING EVENT PRODUCER: Among the victims of the terrorist attacks in Brussels last week was Sascha Pinczowski, who spent several months in 2015 as a production intern at Shiraz Events in New York. Associated Press: "Shiraz Events President Shai Tertner called her ‘a bright, hardworking young woman, with a great career ahead of her.’” http://apne.ws/1MGsJjF
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Boston Design Week takes place March 30-April 10. The citywide festival explores architecture, landscape design, fashion design, and more; it’s produced by Fusco & Four/Ventures.
CHICAGO: The Millennium Room at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park is now available for private lunches and dinners. The room holds 125 for receptions.
LOS ANGELES: Boss Notes, a new fashion and leadership summit from Westfield and Who What Wear, will take place April 2 at Westfield Topanga. Nicole Richie is slated to participate in the event, which will include a panel of women discussing topics such as “How to Balance It All” and “Building Your Brand With Confidence.”
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The second annual Kind Mariners Ball, held March 12 at the Naples Sailing & Yacht Club, raised more than $200,000 for the Freedom Waters Foundation. More than 200 guests attended the event.
NEW YORK: The annual Forget-Me-No Gala will take place June 13 at the Pierre hotel. The benefit is hosted by CaringKind, formerly known as the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter. The evening includes a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, dinner, and dancing to Hank Lane Music and Production and is expected to raise $2 million.
Executive chef and partner Michael Lomonaco has reopened Porter House Bar and Grill following a renovation from Jeffrey Beers International. The restaurant, which features views of Central Park from its location at the Time Warner Center, will celebrate its 10th anniversary later this year.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Hilton Orlando has appointed Menze Heroian as director of food and beverage, Kidane Futwi as director of banquets, and Jimmy Reyes as head chef for the hotel's steak house, Spencer’s.
SAN FRANCISCO: The 32nd annual "Bouquets to Art” event will take place at the de Young Museum April 5-10. The event showcases art-inspired floral arrangements from Bay Area designers. An opening-night gala on April 4 will feature catering from McCall’s.
TORONTO: The Green Living Show will take place April 15-17 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center has named Douglas Ridge as the new area general manager. Ridge will oversee the nearly 2,000-room resort and convention center as well as the AC Hotel National Harbor Washington, DC Area located in National Harbor, Maryland.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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