Outside the Odeon in Lower Manhattan, the bistro’s famous neon sign peeked over a tent Monday night, shielding celebrities from onlookers trying to catch a glimpse of the red carpet at the Tribeca Film Festival’s 17th annual artists’ dinner.
Selma Blair shared the spotlight with Scout, her service dog, who has been her companion since her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis in 2018. The actor Blake Lively, who arrived late at Chanel, a sponsor of the evening, apologized to the photographers for having them keep waiting.
“I would have bought you Shake Shack or something,” she shouted at them as she posed.
After the step and repeat, more than a hundred actors, directors and performers filed into the restaurant, which had been a neighborhood fixture since the 1980s and was known for its steak frites and celebrity patrons. That evening, the Odeon was even more star-studded than usual: for this year’s dinner, which honors artists who have donated work to be given to the film festival winners, Chanel had pulled many of the household names from the Rolodex, who who have been known to appear at their events wearing the brand.
They had also come to celebrate the festival’s co-founder Robert De Niro, who turned 80 last year. “De Niro Con”, a series of screenings and talks, plus an immersive exhibition, begins on June 14.
The octogenarian actor said he didn’t mind celebrating about him.
“It’s always nice. I can’t complain,” adding with a quiet laugh that it’s better than “being trashed” or criticized.
(Donald J. Trump lobbied recently multiple insults at Mr. De Niro after the actor went off-script outside the Manhattan courthouse where his criminal trial was taking place, saying the former president “absolutely” should go to jail.)
Inside, staff serving plates of steak fries and burgers weaved their way through guests seated at booths and long tables decorated with flowers and tea lights.
Faces of the moment were scattered around the room. Natasha Lyonne sat next to comedian Trevor Noah. Across from them, actors Chloe Fineman and Olivia Munn chatted. Colman Domingo, the actor, leafed through the art books on the restaurant’s chairs.
Ms. Lively shared a table with Peter Marino, the architect, and Lauren Santo Domingo, the co-founder of Moda Operandi. Actor Grace Gummer sat next to her husband, producer Mark Ronson, as he spoke with singer Lily Allen.
Katie Holmes spoke with Jane Rosenthal, the CEO of Tribeca Enterprises, who co-founded the film festival with Mr. De Niro and real estate investor Craig Hatkoff, her ex-husband. Also in the crowd were actors Lucy Hale and Francesca Scorsese and fashion designer Zac Posen.
Outside the core of his own event, Mr. De Niro and his partner, Tiffany Chen, sat in a corner booth next to Mr. Law and director Darren Aronofsky.
Some guests reflected on their earliest memories of watching Mr. De Niro’s films.
Ms. Blair said the 1980 movie “Raging Bull” was her favorite as a child. When I thought of actor Hari Nef, I thought of 1976’s “Taxi Driver.” Ms. Lively and actor Camila Mendes both agreed on 2004’s “Meet the Fockers.”
“He has that comedic timing that gives his roles a sense of humor and relatability,” Ms. Mendes said.
Ms. Rosenthal made a brief comment shortly before 10 p.m., inviting guests to view the immersive experience “De Niro Is An Icon” at Spring Studios, which opened last week and features items from Mr. De Niro’s archives, including scripts, props and photographs.
Mr. Law, with his books in hand, also got out and went to the exhibition a few blocks away. Ms. Blair, with a dog leash in one hand and a peony in the other, said goodbye and thanked a waiter on her way out.
