Bartelme originated the TriBeCa Film Festival December of 2000. She relinquished all rights after 9/11, formally by December 2001. She is also the founder of TriBeCa Native Inc., a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization designed to raise funds to support programs by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems in New York City. Initiatives include TriBeCa Chocolate and the TriBeCa Guide.
"Nicole Bartelme's premise for the TriBeCa Film Festival was more connected to the heart of the independent film community but also linked to music (remember MTV's involvement the first year? That was the result of meeting with then co-chair Tom Freston). Beyond incorporating films with great sound tracks, theater and painting were at the soul of the festival- "a true festival of the arts". Brian Flax –indiwire.com
by Disk-Net October 14, 2007