The 2013 Tribeca Film Festival kicks off today, running through April 28. With 89 feature films in competition this year, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. Here are some of our suggestions for the best of the fest — many of them New York-centric. Check them out; founder Robert De Niro would want you to. The initial screening for each film is listed; see tribecafilm.com for additional showtimes.
“Before Midnight”
The long-awaited third chapter in the Richard Linklater-directed story of Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke), who first met as 20-something backpackers on a train in Europe in “Before Sunrise,” sees the now-married couple dealing with new relationship struggles on a family vacation in Greece. Monday at 6 p.m., BMCC Tribeca PAC.
“Greetings From Tim Buckley”
A 1991 Brooklyn-based tribute concert to the late folk singer is the backdrop for this biopic about, primarily, Tim’s son, Jeff (Penn Badgley), who reluctantly comes to the city to participate in the show despite never knowing his dad. Tuesday at 6 p.m., BMCC Tribeca PAC.
“In God We Trust”
This documentary, directed by Victor Kubicek and Derek Anderson, focuses on Bernie Madoff’s personal secretary, Eleanor Squillari, who worked for him for decades, in the days after Madoff’s 2008 arrest. Friday at 9:30 p.m., SVA Theater 1 Silas.
“Mistaken for Strangers”
The “metalhead” brother of the National frontman Matt Berninger is the documentarian of this behind-the-scenes look at the indie rock band on its biggest tour ever — but his blunt questions and invasive camerawork make things awkward all around. April 26 at 8:30 p.m., AMC Loews Village.
“Bending Steel”
Chris “Wonder” Schoeck follows his dream to become a strongman in the style of Coney Island’s legendary musclebound performers. Saturday at 5:30 p.m., AMC Loews Village.
“Almost Christmas”
Paul Rudd and Paul Giamatti co-star as French Canadians aiming to get rich selling Christmas trees in New York in this comedy directed by Phil Morrison (“Junebug”). Tomorrow at 9:30 p.m., BMCC Tribeca PAC.
“Trust Me”
Director Clark Gregg — also an actor known for his role as Agent Coulson in “The Avengers” — helms this comedy about a Hollywood agent (Gregg) who discovers a promising child star. Allison Janney, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman and Sam Rockwell co-star. Saturday at 9:30 p.m., BMCC Tribeca PAC.
“Stand Clear of the Closing Doors”
Based on a true story, this drama from local director Sam Fleischner follows a Far Rockaway autistic teenager named Ricky who runs away into the subway in the days leading up to Hurricane Sandy. Meanwhile, his mother searches for him above ground. Andrea Suarez Paz, Jesus Sanchez-Velez and Azul Zorrilla co-star. Saturday at 6 p.m., Clearview Cinemas Chelsea.
“Bluebird”
This debut feature from director Lance Edmands follows a school bus driver (Amy Morton) in a small Maine logging town who neglects to check the back of the bus when she’s done with her workday, leading to disastrous consequences and ripple effects in the tightknit community. Tomorrow at 6:30 p.m., SVA Theater 1 Silas.
“The King of Comedy”
In the restored version of this 1983 Martin Scorsese film, set to close the festival, deranged, self-described comedian Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) kidnaps his idol, late-night host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). April 27 at 6 p.m., BMCC Tribeca PAC.