The Lyons Den

Vulcan Productions

I've been to Toronto, Sundance, Comic-Con, you name it. But nothing, absolutely nothing, beats the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. It doesn't have the cache yet of other festivals, but who cares? It was created to revive a neighborhood and now has evolved into a citywide, worldwide event.

Now in its sixth year, the festival was cofounded by Robert De Niro and his producing partner, Jane Rosenthal, with the help of people and companies passionate about films of all sizes and styles and, most importantly, passionate about New York. I have a lot of good memories from past years, and now I'm on my way home to take it all in again.

No matter how many celebs attend, or films sell, or parties pop off, the festival's spirit is never lost. After September 11, people didn't know what would happen to the entire neighborhood of TriBeCa, an area rich with history and business and character. Was it contaminated? Would people want to live and work so close to Ground Zero?

The fest has helped revive and restore this part of town and brings opportunity to thousands in New York. International film fans come to Tribeca, too, partly because of year-round partnerships with the Rome festival and Tropfest, an Australian short film fest. Sports fans come to Tribeca 'cause of the great docs and a recent partnership with ESPN. Big blockbusters, shorts, art-house fare, family stuff, you name it.

This year, I've got a great lineup planned, so here's what we've got in store. Come back all week long as the Lyons Den, the living legend, returns home. King of NY—it's on.

Here are five things I'm psyched to see.

Plum Pictures

1. Julia Stiles:  She just directed a film that she's premiering at Tribeca and sits on one of the best panels of the fest. The native New Yorker is going to be one of the best interviews here; she's always genuine and passionate. Seriously, that's a rare combination for Young Hollywood. She can do big movies like the Bourne franchise and small David Mamet deals that feed her creative inspirations. She's never in the tabloids, you never see her in the clubs, the focus is the work, and she'll be doing that until she's in her eighties. And she's a Mets fan.

2. Rosario Dawson:  Will Grindhouse be split into two separate films? Will the cast of Kids ever reunite? Will you marry me? I'll ask Dawson all these questions and more when we kick it at the Soho House and talk about her film in the fest, Descent.

3. John Leguizamo:  This guy used to work for me. Well, sort of. In my previous life, I produced music videos, DVDs and TV projects. One video I produced was for a legendary NYC deejay, Tony Touch, and we got John to come out and do a cameo. He was such a pro on set, just a real pleasure to be around and work with.  He's got a project out here, too, the boxing picture Where God Left His Shoes, so we're gonna grab breakfast Saturday at De Niro's restaurant, the Tribeca Grill.

The 7th Floor/Appian Way

4. E.:  He's not just a letter, or a fictional Hollywood manager. Kevin Connolly of Entourage fame has a film he directed called Gardener of Eden, produced by his buddy Leo DiCaprio and starring Lukas Haas and Erika Christensen. Just like his HBO character, the dude is making moves. I wonder if Ari or the hot Night at the Museum chick rep directors?

5. Pizza:  Bagels. Newspapers. Subways. Real Life.

Tribeca is big. It's often criticized for its size and for trying to be all things to all people. Yes, it is the same festival that premiered New York Minute, Poseidon and RV. Who cares? The movie business is big, plenty of room for everyone. Let's celebrate Tribeca and New York. I'll hit you guys up when I land.

P.S.:  A little hoops talk, I love seeing Kobe down 0-2 and Jalen Rose with a shot at a title. Go blue.