Robert De Niro will host a dinner celebrating the fund on Dec. 18.

Here's the full release:

The Tribeca Film Institute and Gucci Announce

New Finishing Fund for Documentary Films

[New York, NY - November 20, 2007] - The Tribeca Film Institute and Gucci announced today the launch of the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund. The Fund will offer finishing funds and post production guidance to independent filmmakers in need of finances to complete documentaries that promote social change and illuminate issues in need of comprehensive coverage currently missing from mainstream media.

The Fund will provide grants totaling $80,000 to a minimum of three filmmakers in 2008 and will be administered by the Tribeca Film Institute. Recipients will be selected by the Tribeca Film Institute along with Gucci and a selection committee of documentary filmmakers, to be announced at a later date.

“We are so pleased to launch this finishing fund with Gucci,” said Jane Rosenthal, Tribeca Film Institute, Co-Chairman of the Board. “It is our hope this new fund will not only aid filmmakers in completing compelling documentaries but propel those stories into the mainstream.”

"Our newly formed partnership with the Tribeca Film Institute underscores the importance Gucci has placed on supporting important film projects like documentary filmmaking, film restoration and preservation," said Daniella Vitale, President of Gucci America. "The establishment of this fund further strengthens our long-standing commitment to the film community. We are honored to be associated with such a prestigious organization." This is the second completion fund for documentary film projects established by Gucci. In February of 2007 Gucci announced its first documentary film grant in partnership with Ambulante Film Festival to support the work of three Mexican filmmakers.

The Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund is open to documentary filmmakers who have projects in production or postproduction. Filmmakers will be required to submit a proposal along with a trailer, scene assemblage or rough-cut. Submissions open on February 5, 2008 and must be postmarked by April 11^th, 2008. Additional details can be found at www.tribecafilminstitute.org. Recipients will be announced in the Summer of 2008.

A dinner celebrating the Fund will take place on December 18, 2007 in New York City hosted by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal and will feature a conversation on the role documentary filmmakers play in bringing attention to critical stories.

About the Tribeca Film Institute

The Tribeca Film Institute creates innovative programs that draw on the unifying power of film to promote understanding, tolerance and global awareness. Our commitment is to educate, entertain and inspire filmmakers and audiences alike, while strengthening the artistic and economic fabric of New York City and its Lower Manhattan community.

Programs developed and run by the Institute include: Tribeca All Access, Tribeca Talks, The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Partnership, and The Tribeca Film Institute Youth Programs which include Tribeca Film Fellows, Tribeca Teaches, Summer Arts Institute Filmmaking Workshop, Tribeca Youth Screening Series and Our City, My Story. For more information visit www.tribecafilminstitute.org.

About Gucci

Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world's leading luxury brands. It designs, manufactures and markets leather goods (handbags, small leather goods, and luggage), shoes, ready-to-wear, silk, timepieces and jewelry. The products are sold exclusively through directly-operated stores and through exclusive Gucci franchisee stores, duty-free boutiques, department stores and specialty stores around the world. Gucci brand eyewear and fragrances are manufactured and distributed under license by global industry leaders for these two categories. In 2006 Gucci posted another record year, with revenues amounting to 2,100.9 million Euro. The exclusive network of DOS reached 219 stores at the end of 2006. Gucci is part of Gucci Group N.V., owned by PPR, a global player in Retail and Luxury Goods. Shares in PPR are traded on the Euronext Paris (#121485, PRTP.PA, PPFP).