Behind The Red Rope

Movie night with friends sounds like a pretty simple party to plan. Rent flick. Buy popcorn. Gather friends.

It's another story if you are advertising executive turned filmmaker Eddie Shieh (photo right, shown with actor/director DB Woodside). Fresh off the festival circuit (screening at over 20 international festivals and counting), Shieh began fielding requests from friends who wanted to watch his debut short film, "No Menus Please," a drama/comedy about two immigrants competing to distribute restaurant menus in New York City.

While planning the screening, Shieh reached out to 5 other directors with internationally acclaimed short films and invited them to join. With one call to Ayler Young of Tribeca Cinemas, (home to the Tribeca Film Festival) "movie night" was transformed into the Red Rope Screening, an event to celebrate short films and promote social business networking among influencers in film, fashion, music and art.

On Wednesday night, despite the torrential downpour, 400 guests attended the inaugural Red Rope Screening presented by Adidas, who showcased student documentaries about the prominence of graffiti art in the sneakerhead community through their End-to-End Project. Other supporters included Foot Locker, Chopin Vodka, Shorts International and Saint Grace (one of my favorite brands for T-shirts and tanks).

Shieh hand-selected 5 incredible films to accompany his own including: A Nick in Time by Bé Garrett (2007 Official Selection at Sundance, Tribeca and Cannes); first by actor DB Woodside (who plays President Wayne Palmer on Fox's "24") and Nick Sivakumaran; Spread The Love by Matt Lilly; Mutual Love Life by Robert Peters (2000 Oscar short-listed film); and, Our Time Is Up by Rob Pearlstein (Oscar nominated for 2006 Best Live Action Short Film).


After an hour listening to legendary DJ Stretch Armstrong, I finally found the newly minted director at the after-party. Shieh told me that the inspiration for the film literally arrived at his front door. During Shieh's advertising days (he was an award winning creative at Ogilvy & Mather, TBWA/Chiat/Day and BBDO), he used to order from the same Chinese restaurant when he got home late at night. Shieh began to notice the constant menu delivery in his building and to wonder about the life of his delivery guy.

There is talk of another short film by Shieh as well as a Red Rope Screening in the Fall. We promise to keep you posted on both. In the meantime, check out the schedule at Tribeca Cinemas for other interesting film and music events such as the Miguel Migs record release party on Sunday, May 20th.

For your own movie night, art show or cocktail party, call Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick Street, 212-941-2001). All of their event spaces are pretty amazing. Tell Ayler we sent you....