A modern New York tradition, the Tribeca Film Festival is back in full swing June 7–18 and this year delivers perhaps one of the best slates of films ever. As always, there is something for everyone.
Of course, there are documentary and narrative features and short films. There are also immersive experiences in augmented and virtual reality. Highlighting its music programming, the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival celebrates hip-hop with appearances by some of its stars and a screening of a seminal hip-hop film.
The dynamic speaker series Tribeca X features major names in advertising and entertainment discussing the future of brand content.
Music legend Carlos Santana will perform.
Tribeca TV and NOW will highlight select TV and streaming offerings. For gamers, there is Tribeca Festival Games, showcasing the convergence of games, entertainment, and culture. Tribeca Talks and Reunions will see some of our most popular names on film (in front of and behind the camera) in conversation.
One of the highlights of this year’s festival will be a screening of the classic “A Bronx Tale” in honor of its 30th anniversary and upcoming VOD releases.
Hip-hop will be in the house. French Montana’s film, co-produced by P. Diddy, “For Khadija” will be screened and he will perform after the premiere with Triplets Ghetto Kids.
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Chance the Rapper and Megan Thee Stallion will appear as two of the festival’s storytellers. Screenings will include another documentary, “Cypher,” documenting rapper Tierra Whack’s rise in the music industry; the classic film Wild Style celebrates hip-hop’s 50th anniversary; and Planet B-Boy, which explores underground breakdancing dance scenes around the world.
Tribeca TV offers previews of new and returning small screen content, such as the dark comedy “Diarra From Detroit, Exposing Parchman,” which focuses on injustices in the Mississippi correctional system; the series “Swagger,” chronicling the lives of youth basketball players; and unveiling of the new entry in the “Walking Dead” universe, Walking Dead: Dead City, which takes place in Manhattan.
Tribeca NOW celebrates independent episodic shorts and series, and will feature the romantic dramedy “Do It To Me If You Want”; the dramedy “Honeycomb,” featuring comedian Baron Vaughn; and the disturbing documentary “The Fourth Wall,” about a New York City-based sex cult, the Sullivanians.
Tribeca Talks will feature conversations with Billy Porter, as well as between Lin Manuel Miranda and actress Rosie Perez. Reunions will showcase Kevin Sullivan and Angela Bassett reunited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” Mario Van Peebles, Michael Michele, and Fab 5 Freddy return for “New Jack City.” Charlie Ahearn, Lee Quiñones, Fab 5 Freddy, and Grand Wizzard Theodore reunite for a special 40th anniversary celebration of “Wild Style.”
As part of the Talks series, the third annual Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award will be presented to Academy Award-winning actor, producer, author, and activist Jane Fonda. Grammy-winning artist Alicia Keys will present the award, an original drawing from artist Julie Mehretuentitled “Exodus #3.” The award recognizes those who have used storytelling and the arts to enact change in their communities. Jane Fonda will be in conversation with “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts.
Also appearing in the speaker series Tribeca X will be meteorologist, producer, and TV personality Al Roker, moderating a discussion of the rise of brand storytelling as a change agent.
For the first time, breakout sessions have been added to Tribeca X and will provide guests with networking opportunities that foster meaningful industry connections. The sessions will also provide the opportunity for a more in-depth look at each topic and open discussion between breakout leaders and guests.
Tribeca Festival Games this year feature world premieres of “The Expanse: A Telltale Series,” a prequel to the popular TV series that puts players in the role of Camina Drummer, played by actress Cara Gee, who portrays the fan-favorite character in the TV series; “Stray Gods,” a roleplaying musical that tells a story of hope, self-discovery, and forging one’s path; and “Nightscape,” an atmospheric adventure game inspired by ancient Arabian astronomy. Tribeca’s Games & Immersive Experience, which is held exclusively in-person at the Festival’s Hub, Spring Studios (50 Varick Street), features playable demos for this year’s game selections.
Running June 9–17, the Tribeca Immersive series brings the best in extended reality. Among this year’s 13 offerings is an experience based on unheralded civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin who, as a teen and before Rosa Parks, refused to give up her seat on a segregated Birmingham, Alabama, bus.
Also featured is “Kinfolk: Black Lands” from Idris Brewster, an AR experience that monumentalizes the past, present, and future of the Black communities that have built New York City. The Immersive experience, for the first time, will be showcased along with Tribeca Games at Spring Studios.
Legendary award-winning actor and Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Robert DeNiro will be in conversation with “A Bronx Tale” screenwriter Chazz Palminteri. Both also starred in the film alongside Lilo Brancato and Taral Hicks. They’ll discuss the September 2023 release of the film on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and VOD on a number of streaming platforms, as well as behind the scenes of making the film.
To close this year’s Tribeca Festival, there will be a special 30th anniversary screening of the film on Saturday, June 17. After the film, De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Palminteri will participate in a live conversation with David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker.
And, of course, there will be films—lots of films!For more information, follow @Tribeca and #Tribeca2023 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn and visit https://tribecafilm.com/festival.