By Tara Kyle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — A nationwide aid campaign manned by Sept. 11 recovery workers takes the spotlight in "New York Says Thank You," a Tribeca Film Festival documentary holding its world premiere Thursday night.
The film, directed by Scott Rettberg, follows firefighters, a construction superintendent and others impacted by the World Trade Center attacks as they help communities ravaged by tornados and other natural disasters rebuild.
The mission of these annual pilgrimages is to examine "9/11 through the filter of 9/12, and all the humanity and kindness that came out of that," according to Upper West Side resident Jeff Parness, who created the foundation that shares its name with the film.
Parness, who lost a good friend and business colleague in the attacks, founded the organization in 2003.
The idea actually came from his then five-year-old son Evan, who saw news footage of California children impacted by wildfires, and insisted that the family travel cross country to bring them toys and clothes. On the drive to California, the Parness' hung a banner saying "New York Says Thank You" from the back of the car.
The organization's origins in a moment of father-son bonding are part of what attracted producer Megan Sleeper to the project.
"It just makes you smile when you hear that story," said Sleeper. "And so to hear what's come from this simple idea of kid, into a huge pay it forward movement, it's amazing."
Now, Parness hopes the film will further support his organization's educational mission, and spur other people to give back.
"I was raised that when you do charity, the ultimate form of charity should be anonymous," he said. "But at the same time, we had such a powerful statement to make — that New Yorkers will never forget, and how simple it is to go help someone else."
"New York Says Thank You" is screening Thurs., April 28, at 9:30 p.m. (BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center), Sat., April 30, at noon (BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center) and Sun., May 1, at 2:30 p.m. (AMC Loews Village). It is also showing online through TFF's Streaming Room.
Movie premiere tickets for the festival can be won by entering DNAinfo's Tribeca Film Festival sweepstakes here.
