Tribeca Film Festival co-founders Robert De Niro, JaneRosenthal and Craig Hatkoff have acquired rep theatre The Screening Room in NewYork, which they will use to enhance services at the festival and De Niro'snearby Tribeca Film Institute and hire out for commercial purposes.

The partnersacquired a long lease renewable through to 2023 on the 14,000-sq ft venue,which comprises three screening rooms accommodating 130, 101 and 15 seats. Theywill operate the venue through a new company, Tribeca Cinemas.

A full-servicerestaurant is also included in the package, which De Niro said would mostlikely be used for catering and hospitality support at screenings.

"The locationand the facilities of the Screening Room are a perfect strategic fit for all ofour activities,' said De Niro. The Tribeca Film Centre operates a 70-seatscreening facility.