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The 2005 Tribeca Film Festival showcased 26 New York films in its NY, NY category. These films featured "diverse perspectives from the New York area" -- including the extremely buzz-worthy "Great New Wonderful," set in the aftermath of 9/11 and boasting an all-star ensemble cast. But the big category winners, announced on Saturday, are Georgia Lee's "Red Doors" (narrative) and Victor Buhler's "Riker's High" (documentary).


Red Doors

"Red Doors" is a heartfelt and funny story about the Wongs, a Chinese-American family living in the New York suburbs. The Wongs, a humorously dysfunctional clan, are going through major turmoil. Dad Ed is facing a spiritual crisis and plotting his escape to a Buddhist monastery.

Meanwhile, each of the three Wong daughters is going through her own drama. Businesswoman Sam is planning a wedding she's not sure about. Shy Julie has fallen for a sexy movie starlet. And high schooler Katie is embroiled in a bizarre and hilarious prank war with a cute classmate.

Shot in New York and integrating writer/director Georgia Lee's family home video, the film has a personal feel and a unique female perspective. There are touching moments and quite a few laughs (mostly courtesy of Katie's storyline and some lesbian screwball comedy antics). There are some scenes that drag a bit, but New Yorkers will find a lot to like in this charming film.

Writer/director Georgia Lee is a New York filmmaker who apprenticed with Martin Scorcese.

For more information, visit the Red Doors web site.

Riker's High

"Riker's High" is a compelling inside look at teen inmates attending Island Academy, the high school within the Riker's Island correctional facility. Filmmaker Victor Buhler spent a year with the teachers and students at Island Academy and the resulting documentary tells the story of three teenagers fighting to get their lives together and earn their GEDs.

18-year-old William Santiago was convicted for robbing someone with a gun-shaped cigarette lighter. Shawn Johnson, 17-year-old Island valedictorian and poet, is in for armed robbery. And Andre Blandon, 18, was arrested for arson but dreams of becoming a comic book artist. All three are engaging and sympathetic, fighting the odds to get educations and avoid returning to jail.

The film shows harsh reality and doesn't offer easy answers or happy endings. The stories of the three inmates are compelling and hard to forget. See "Riker's High" for a thought-provoking look into a world rarely glimpsed by outsiders.

Director Victor Buhler studied film at Harvard and NYU, winning several awards. He recently created dramatic series "Lone Star" for Fox Television.