For those who love film – especially the world of independent film – the Tribeca Film Festival is the place to be.  Although the annual festival is only 10 years old, it has already thrust itself into the running for the top film festival in the U.S. and is internationally respected among filmmakers and fans alike.

The Tribeca Film Festival was started in 2001, most notably as the baby of Robert De Niro.  The purpose of the festival was not only to help independent filmmakers get their movies to audiences, but also to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of NYC, post 9/11.

The 2011 festival, which started on April 20th and runs until May 1st, as detailed earlier takes place in New York City and thus prevents many film enthusiasts from attending.

But have no fear, film geeks!  YouTube has announced today over on their blog that they will be showing the short films from the festival on their Screening Room channel:

Are you a film festival fanatic? Do you love keeping up with the latest indie hits? Are you at least somewhat interested in hearing David Duchovny voice a polar bear that’s BFF with Leonardo DiCaprio? Of course you are!

Since not everyone can make it to New York City for the 10th annual Tribeca Film Festival, YouTube, Tribeca and American Express have teamed up to bring the festival to you.

From today through May 17, check out the YouTube Screening Room for short films from both past and present Tribeca Film Festivals

First up are five short films: Brink, The Ignorant Bliss of Sun and Moon, Loose Change, Mr. Stache and The Beaufort Diaries.  The latter is a short animated tale that tracks the rise and fall of a displaced polar bear in Hollywood.  It is narrated by David Duchovny and due to some fictional dialogue from David Mamet is kinda NSFW.

YouTube also says that once you’ve blown through the first 5 short films, check the screening room on April 29th for the next batch.

This is all brought to you, the viewer, by a partnership between YouTube, Tribeca, and American Express.  The Screening Room channel is just one in a number of steps YouTube is taking to become a colossus in the world of video.  Recently, they launched YouTube Live for live streaming and soon after streamed California’s indie music festival Coachella for delighted music fans around the world.