When TriBeCa Film Festival rolls around, that can only mean one thing: the baddest in showbiz will flock to NYC’s bustling epicenter of the arts, and with them a whirlwind of food, fashion, and good old celebrity sightings. THE STAYCATIONERS hit the streets (okay, more like the lobbies) of TFF’s hottest festival hubs throughout the two-week bonanza for an unforgettable film fest, thanks to our friends at Thompson Hotels. Where else would a seasoned staycationer stay in the triangle below Canal? Here’s how it all went down.

Festival sponsors Pipcorn and Bira took over Gild Hall, transforming the rustic-chic lobby we all know and love into a wonderland of Indian hops and tiny popcorn. Next staycation idea: popcorn mix-in bar FTW.

THE STAYCATIONERS checked into their fave Thompson Suite at The Smyth, donning festival-chic Cynthia Rowley getups and heading down to Evening Bar for a pick-me-up. And by pick-me-up, we mean negronis and board games, naturally. Their chariots awaited — TFF, here we come.

With hundreds of premieres, panels, events, and festivities to choose from, it’s always a real task to narrow it down. THE STAYCATIONERS navigated their way from screening to screening, taking well-deserved breaks in between at the official festival hub — a welcome oasis of Illy coffee bars, Bai at every turn (both in natural and cocktail form), interactive programming (hello, DEF CON lock picking party/arcade situation), and crowds of badge-weilding show-goers peppered with celebs.

THE STAYCATIONERS’ TFF adventure saw many a quintessential New York moment, from Chris Rock and J.J. Abrams side by side in an intimate Q&A to a passionate performance by Alicia Keys in conjunction with the unveiling of her moving short film project, not to mention the premiere of James Lapine’s poignant family drama starring the likes of Viola Davis, Ellen Burstyn, Tony Shaloub, and Hayden Panettiere with an onstage gathering of nearly the entire cast in closing. A star from Salima Koroma’s wildly hilarious film may or may not have broken out in spontaneous performance following the Bad Rap premiere, and further comedic relief came in the form of Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jacobson, Kelly Ripa, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs chatting with adoring fans following a screening of Broad City’s season 3 finale, serving behind-the-scenes realness for good measure. As if we’d expect anything less.

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Keep up with THE STAYCATIONERS as they invade a new hotel each month, and head to the Insta to stay up to date on some exciting updates. Until then, we’ll be re-watching our favorite festival flicks in the comfort of our room. 

This special edition staycay was made possible by Thompson Hotels.