Mary-Kate is serious about her Tribeca duties

‘It is a huge honor to be a part of it,’ says Olsen about the film festival

Evan Agostini / AP	Mary-Kate Olsen is one of the jurors at this year's Tribeca Film Festival.

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updated 1:47 p.m. ET April 24, 2009

NEW YORK - Mary-Kate Olsen is taking her duties as a juror at the Tribeca Film Festival as seriously as an A-student getting ready for the first day of school.

“I wish there was a class. It is a huge honor to be a part of it and I was asked to be a part of it,” said the notoriously media-shy actress as she spoke of her juror duties at Chanel’s annual dinner for the film festival.

“I have been watching the movies and just started. I don’t really know what we do or what is going to happen yet. I am just seeing how the week starts,” she said. “I just got my pamphlet this morning. I have already watched all of the shorts. This is fun.”

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The annual festival, based in downtown Manhattan, was founded by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal. Both attended Thursday’s dinner, along with fellow Tribeca jurors Adrian Brody and Debra Messing, as well as Academy Award-nominees Viola Davis and Melissa Leo, and Kerry Washington and Bradley Cooper.

Although Olsen, 22, grew up in Los Angeles, she moved to New York City a few years ago and now says she is transfixed by the city’s beauty.

“All of the streets are so special here. I am always amazed even walking in TriBeCa because I live around here, I am always amazed how the streets look different or how I walk down a new street every time I come down here. I am always blown away,” she said.

“The other day I walked down a street and with the trees right now, the white trees and the petals everywhere, it is so beautiful. Hanging out at Battery Park, I mean, the trees over there are so pretty. There is something magical about New York and the seasons and watching them change.”

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The Tribeca Film Festival kicked off this week and ends next week. Though Olsen is having to analyze all facets of a film to determine the top winner, she says her role has not made her want to get behind the camera to direct anytime soon.

“I am content doing what I do. I want to concentrate doing one thing at a time,” she said. “Whatever I do, I want to do one hundred fifty percent. In general it is nice to be a part of something great.”