The upcoming 23rd annual Tribeca Film Festival, presented by OKX, returns to New York City June 5–16. As always, it boasts the highest-quality, most-anticipated narrative and documentary film and episodic programming—the best in music, virtual reality, gaming, and audio storytelling, along with a host of panel discussions offering something for everyone.
With more than 100 films in its lineup, Tribeca 2024 kicks off on Wednesday, June 5, with the world premiere of “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge,” an intimate look at the life of the fashion designer and cultural luminary. Whitney Houston fans know her as the designer of the red dress the singer wore when she won a then record-breaking 11 Billboard awards in 1993.
Many of this year’s slate of films, with titles such as a “Hacking Hate,” which questions the role of social media in amplifying hate speech and extremism; “McVeigh,” which portrays right-wing extremism with chilling modern implications; and “America’s Burning,” which explores the economic root of hate and division. These are, thematically, a frank acknowledgment of the fraught sociopolitical zeitgeist.
As in previous years, programming is divided into sections according to theme and whether projects are domestic or international. Tribeca Immersive delivers eight large-scale artworks from six boundary-pushing digital artists that will be on display at the Immersive art exhibition at the Tribeca Festival hub, Spring Studios, and will feature a series of free artist talks and events from June 6–8.
DeNiro Con celebrates 80 years of legendary actor, Tribeca Festival co-founder, and Oscar winner Robert DeNiro. it consists of a screening series with 13 classic De Niro films, live conversations with long-time collaborators, an exhibit of never-before-seen materials from De Niro’s personal archive, the world premiere of the immersive short film “De Niro, New York,” and exclusive fan experiences. Celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg, John Turturro, Nas, Chazz Palminteri, and others will be part of the celebrations.
The Tribeca festival has always had vibrant musical offerings, but this year is the first that Tribeca Music will host an online music competition, featuring Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tyla, the Black Crowes, and others. “They All Came Out to Montreux” with Prince, Carlos Santana, Aretha Franklin, and others will also be screened.
As part of the Spotlight+ section, which is one of Tribeca’s most popular sections and includes conversations after screenings, music documentaries will be screened such as “Satisfied,” about singer actress Renée Elise Goldberry (Hamilton, Girls 5Eva), and “Desire: The Carl Craig Story,” about the renowned techno producer.
Highlights of this year’s Shorts section include “Motorcycle Mary,” the untold story of legendary motorsports pioneer Mary McGee, and the Viewpoints section, which features bold new independent films. Be on the lookout for “Searching For Amani,” “Era Oculta,” and “Color Book,” all stories about relationships between fathers and sons.
The Escape from Tribeca section is edgy fare made for the adventurous. Check out “She Loved Blossoms More,” about a grieving family that constructs a machine to bring their beloved mother back from the dead.
For night owls and horror fans, the Tribeca Midnight section is for you; thriller “The Weekend” will slake your thirst for edge-of-your seat thrills.
Spotlight houses some of the most buzzworthy titles. Spotlight Narrative this year includes “Memes & Nightmares,” exec-produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter; thriller “The Wasp,” starring Naomie Harris (“Moonlight”); and the romance “Winter Spring Summer or Fall,” starring Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”).
The Spotlight Documentary section standouts are “The Black Table,” chronicling the experiences of students in Yale’s class of 1994, “Missing From Fire Trail Road,” about the case of missing Native American Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis; “Slave Play. Not A Movie. A Play,” a self-portrait of playwright Jeremy O. Harris, and “Luther: Never Too Much,” about the R&B great.
International Narrative features the inspiring “Samia,” based on the life of the Olympic athlete. The Documentary section boasts “Debutantes,” about a group of Black Ohio debutantes.
In US Narrative, there’s the intriguing “The Knife,” written by, directed by, and starring Nnamdi Asomugha (“Sylvie’s Love”), about a hopeful young family rocked to its core by the appearance of a mysterious stranger, also starring Aja Naomi King (“How to Get Away with Murder”) and Melissa Leo “(Wayward Pines”); and comedy debut “The Other, Gold,” about a Black TV writer trying to survive in Los Angeles.
Other offerings include The NOW Showcase, which highlights independent episodic work; Tribeca Audio, which consists of audio narration such as podcasts; Tribeca Games Gallery; and Tribeca X, a speaker series focusing on the intersection of advertising. This year’s speakers include Terry Crews and media mogul Byron Allen.
In addition to being entertained, festival-goers can learn more about the craft and business of it all during Tribeca Talks. Guests include Emmy Award-winning actor, producer, and New York Times bestselling author Kerry Washington in conversation with producer, bestselling author, and former U.S. ambassador Nicole Avant. Grammy Award-winner Jon Batiste will join music journalist Marcus J. Moore to celebrate legendary crooner Nat King Cole and actress Laverne Cox.
In its Retrospectives and Reunions section, Nas will help Tribeca celebrate the 50th anniversary of the classic crime thriller “Mean Streets,” starring Robert DeNiro and directed by Martin Scorcese, and the 40th anniversary of the pioneering hip hop film “Beat Streets.” There also will be a premiere of a newly restored 70 mm version of the Hitchcock spy classic “North by Northwest.” For more info, visit www.tribecafilm.com/festival.