Based on the riveting life-story of young South African poet Ingrid Jonker and directed by Oscar-nominee Paula van der Oest, the film will compete in the World Narrative Features category.

In a record year for submissions, the 2011 film slate for the Tribeca Film Festival was selected from a field of 5,624 entries. The 12 films in the World Narrative category represent 11 countries and a diverse range of styles and stories in contemporary global cinema. The Festival will take place in New York City from 20th April - 1st May.

BLACK BUTTERFLIES is a powerful portrait of a strong-headed woman and talented yet troubled artist during the Apartheid regime. Starring Carice van Houten (VALKYRIE, BLACK BOOK) in a breathtaking tour de force of a performance as Ingrid, Liam Cunningham (THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY) as her all-consuming love and Rutger Hauer (BLADE RUNNER, SOLDIER OF ORANGE) as her oppressive father. In his first speech to the South African Parliament in 1994, Nelson Mandela read Ingrid Jonker's poem "The Dead Child of Nyanga" and hailed her as one of the greatest poets of South Africa

The film is produced by Richard Claus (Comet Film), Michael Auret (Spier Productions), IDTV Film and Cool Beans in association with Riba Film International and Bavaria Film International.