Final Shrek movie to open New York's Tribeca Film Fest

The world's most famous ogre, Shrek, his princess, and motley crew of friends will open the Tribeca Film Festival next month, with the final chapter of the successful series making its world premiere in 3D in New York.

Shrek Forever After, the fourth instalment of DreamWorks Animation SKG's series and the first in 3D, will screen on Tribeca's opening night, April 21. The festival, one of the most prominent in the United States and which also has a Middle Eastern version in Doha, Qatar, will run until May 2.

"We have always sought to open our Festival with films that are captivating and strike an emotional chord with movie-goers," Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the festival, said in a statement.

"Shrek Forever After combines the very best in storytelling and artistry while showcasing the wonders of innovative 3D filmmaking."

In recent years, Hollywood has seen a surge in interest in 3D movies from the major studios, with James Cameron's box-office hit Avatar proving fans will pay more for 3-D movies when the special effects are eye-popping. DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg is a champion of 3D movies, and the firm is due to release another animated 3D film, How to Train Your Dragon, on March 26, which is expected to fight for screens with other 3D movies Alice in Wonderland and Clash of the Titans.

Mike Mitchell, the director of Shrek Forever After, said the technology had enhanced filmmakers' storytelling abilities.

"I am excited to share these with audiences when we bring Far Far Away into the third dimension for the very first time," he said.

The core cast of the latest Shrek film remains unchanged with Mike Myers starring as the ogre, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona and Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots. In the movie, Shrek, who has already successfully challenged an evil dragon, rescued a beautiful princess and saved his in-laws' kingdom, goes through a mid-life crisis and longs for the days when he felt less like a family man and more like a "real" ogre. The film will be released across the United States on May 21, and will shortly follow in the UAE.

The 2010 Tribeca Film Festival will announce its feature film slate on March 10 and March 15.

The festival was co-founded by Robert de Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to help revitalize the Tribeca neighbourhood after the 9/11 attacks.

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