De Niro is also being honoured for his contributions as a director, as a producer through his Tribeca Productions, and as a co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

BBC: Robert De Niro to receive lifetime Golden Globe award

And it's why Schwartz brought the movie to the Tribeca Film Festival last month--to build buzz, then find a buyer for the film who will ultimately get it distributed to theaters.

FORBES: Wagering On The Grand

Although buyers often are distracted by the looming shadow of the Cannes Film Festival, which begins May 16, "Tribeca is a good one to pay attention to, " said David Laub, who handles acquisitions for Oscilloscope Laboratories, a New York-based distributor that releases features and documentaries, often with a subcultural element.

WSJ: Tribeca Film Festival Tests Marketplace

"It made me work harder, " she said at a discussion following the film's North American premiere Sunday evening at the Tribeca Film Festival, saying that she instead rehearsed longer with the actors.

WSJ: 'Wadjda' prompts women's rights talk at Tribeca

Speaking during an appearance at the fourth Doha Tribeca Film Festival in November 2012, Wade said that screenwriter John Logan had been working with Mendes on a follow-up to Skyfall.

BBC: Sam Mendes 'won't direct' next Bond