DE NIRO’S TRIBECA COMPANY BRANCHING OUT — TO CHICAGO

Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Enterprises, founded after the 9/11 attacks in New York as part of an effort to regenerate the area, is extending its presence beyond New York. Originally associated with the Tribeca Film Festival, the company has branched into independent film production, distribution and exhibition. And today (Wednesday) it announced that it will become a partner with the three-year-old Flashpoint Academy of Media Arts & Sciences, a two-year digital media arts college in Chicago. In a statement, Tribeca said that the college will be renamed Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy and that its goal is to “provide students with an enhanced hands-on education in film and broadcast, game and interactive media development, recording arts and visual effects and animation.” In the statement, De Niro said, “Tribeca’s investment in Flashpoint is part of our continued commitment to our industry. … We have always sought to nurture young aspiring talent and I am proud that this new venture will continue to do just that.”