The first assessment of the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival from movie critic Stephen Holden:

Leaner and nicer: that in a nutshell describes the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival, which begins Wednesday with the world premiere of Woody Allen’s new comedy, “Whatever Works.”

But as the Tribeca festival celebrates its eighth year, marquee events like “Whatever Works” are just the sparkly surface. The 12-day festival’s identity as a hybrid of serious film forum and family-friendly community celebration catering to cinéastes and tourists alike is now firmly established. At Tribeca highbrow meets no-brow with everything in between.

The economy continues to have an impact, but perhaps a more critical eye on the part of the festival’s producers:

Leaner means smaller but more discriminating. Tribeca, like almost every other arts institution, has had to pull in its wings. Since 2007 the number of feature films shown has dwindled by more than 40 percent: 85 this year (45 are world premieres), down from 120 last year and 157 in 2007. Shrinkage has its positive side. Tribeca is no longer a catchall showcase for uneven movies (especially American independent films) seeking a festival imprimatur, and complaints that it is a dumping ground have subsided.

Movies Holden has checked out include “Still Walking,”, “Departures,”, and “In the Loop,”. Tickets go on sale April 20. The festival’s website is here.