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Catching up after a couple of podcasts. I have to be very focused on getting the conversations together during Tribeca Film Festival. Watching the film with the audience and then trying to set up a time afterwards is tricky because no one has the time to afford. Just getting the tickets is sometimes an ordeal but I finally got into the groove. It's just about the time now because I am literally running to catch taxis and trains to get to the press office for tickets and the venues are spread out up and down and across town. No matter you hold a ticket in hand, if you're late the seat is given up to the person standing on the waitlist line. It's only fair. All they ask is that ticket holders be ahead of time or on time to get a guaranteed seat.

I was just at the afternoon screening of LOVESICKNESS, three tales - a love triangle, an unfaithful spouse and a hostage of the heart situation - capturing the essence of Puerto Rican life in their own backyards. Director Carlitos Ruiz Ruiz answered questions and the enthusiastic audience took advantage of the extended Q&A. A couple of friends joined me for this film and I would've loved to stick around and hear what they had to say, however, I had to stay on top of the schedule and making the 6 p.m. screening with breathing room. So from the AMC on 34th, I set a killer pace to get to the Borough of Manhattan Community College auditorium for the World Premiere of THE AIR I BREATHE a film based on a Chinese proverb of the four cornerstone emotions of life (happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love).

The waitlist line snaked around the block and inside good seats were snapped up quickly, First time director, Jieho Lee, introduced the film before he and his wife gave up their own seats. They stood outside the doors listening to audience reactions until the final burst of applause. It turned into a hugely successful night for them and as I walked over to the reception afterwards, I overheard two guys talking excitedly about what they had just witnessed. Turns out this was not only their first time at a film festival, but they got their tickets from someone who had a pair of tickets for sale at face value, they had great seats behind one of the actors in the film and they loved the film itself. It was a complete film festival experience they won't forget. That's how it happens sometimes. My podcast conversation with the filmmakers, writer Bob DeRosa and director and co writer, Jieho Lee is up and sounds pretty good. I also heard that Miramax, Lions Gate and Atlantic Alliance are interested in film acquisition. Good luck to them - that's a filmmaker's dream.

Following another dream (as well as the other side of town), I went to see THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY, a film about getting to the Kentucky Derby made by the Hennegan Brothers, John and Brad. They are working nonstop promoting this labor of love and it shows. The film and the stories of the people reaching for the stars and living their dreams of getting to the Kentucky Derby never mind actually winning the darn thing. Taking advantage of the media like traditional radio broadcasting and using the power of the Internet with a great website, blogs and podcasts, these guys understand they were dealt an extra card by being in the Tribeca Film Festival and are playing their hand accordingly. It's Kentucky Derby week in Louisville and two more screenings are coming up (Thursday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4) culminating with a Kentucky Derby party at the Turtle Bay Grill in New York City. I for one will be there with my fancy hat and a mint julep in hand. And they're off.