The annual festival, which runs May 3 through May 11, features a slew of film-and-theatre-related panel discussions on various topics. Helen Hunt, who is currently starring in Yasmina Reza’s Life x 3, will be joined by Paul Rudd, Edie Falco and John Turturro for the May 8 discussion entitled “Actors on Acting: Theater and Film.” Moderated by Variety editor-in-chief Peter Bart, the 1 PM discussion about those film actors who choose to hone their craft in theatre will be held at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $20.

“Directors on Directing: Theater and Film I” is the title of the May 7 panel discussion, which will be held at Prada (575 Broadway) at 8:30 AM. Neil LaBute, author of The Shape of Things, “Nurse Betty” and “In the Company of Men,” will discuss the differences between directing for the stage and the screen. Tickets are $30.

For the second installment of “Directors on Directing,” (10:30 AM on May 8), the festival will offer a conversation with Julie Taymor, best known for her work on the Tony-winning musical The Lion King. Taymor, who was the first woman ever to receive a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical, has also helmed the feature films “Frida” and “Titus.” The Taymor conversation will be held at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center; tickets are $20.

Two-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane will be one of the panelists for “What’s So Funny? Laughter in the Movies” on May 10 at 6 PM. Other confirmed panelists include director Jay (“Austin Powers”) Roach, screenwriter Paul (“In & Out”) Rudnick and “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The evening discussion will concern the shaping of the American comedy. Tickets are priced at $20, and the event will be held at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

Tickets for the Tribeca Film Festival go on sale April 21 by calling (866) 265-TIXX. For more information, visit the festival’s website at tribecafilmfestival.com.