The Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, today unveiled its highly anticipated 2026 feature and short film lineup, marking a significant milestone as the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. Scheduled to take place in New York City from June 3rd to June 14th, the 2026 edition will showcase an expansive program of 118 feature films, including a record-breaking 103 world premieres, alongside 86 short films. This year’s festival underscores Tribeca’s enduring commitment to championing bold storytelling and emerging voices, a mission deeply rooted in its founding in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, with the core belief that storytelling possesses the power to unite communities.
A Legacy of Healing and Global Storytelling
Founded in 2002 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff, the Tribeca Festival emerged as a powerful symbol of resilience and a catalyst for the revitalization of Lower Manhattan. Born from the collective trauma and desire for healing in the wake of 9/11, the festival’s inception was driven by a profound understanding of art’s capacity to foster connection and rebuild community spirit. Over a quarter-century, Tribeca has evolved from a local initiative into a globally recognized platform that consistently attracts acclaimed filmmakers, breakthrough talent, and significant cultural figures. This milestone edition aims to honor that legacy by presenting a diverse and compelling program that challenges, inspires, and entertains.
Jane Rosenthal, Tribeca Festival Co-Founder and Co-Chair, articulated the enduring purpose of the festival: "Tribeca began twenty-five years ago as an act of healing, a mission to reunite our community through the power of storytelling. Today, that purpose feels more urgent than ever. As we navigate an increasingly divided world, the same spirit that rebuilt our city after 9/11 now fuels a new generation of artists and storytellers. This year’s incredible feature and short film lineup includes stories from filmmakers who make us think, feel, laugh, cry, and ask why. Tribeca remains dedicated to the artists’ voices and diverse perspectives that challenge us to see one another more clearly.”
A Music-Forward Opening and Closing
The 2026 Tribeca Festival is set to open with a vibrant, music-infused celebration. The festival will kick off on Wednesday, June 3rd, with the previously announced world premiere of Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World), directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Following the screening, attendees will be treated to a special performance by the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire, accompanied by The Roots, setting an electrifying tone for the entire festival. This opening night event not only highlights Tribeca’s long-standing embrace of music-driven narratives but also pays homage to the enduring impact of musical icons.
The festival will culminate with its Closing Night presentation on Sunday, June 14th, featuring the world premiere of Alicia Keys: Girl From Hell’s Kitchen. Directed by Tribeca alum One9, this intimate documentary offers a personal look at the life and career of the Grammy Award-winning artist, a true New Yorker reflecting on her roots in Hell’s Kitchen. The screening will be followed by an appearance by Alicia Keys herself, providing a powerful and personal closing to the citywide celebration.
A Rich Tapestry of Feature Films
This year’s feature film slate is a testament to Tribeca’s role as both a launchpad for new talent and a showcase for established artists. The selection boasts an impressive array of narratives, from high-profile premieres to breakout discoveries.
Spotlight Narrative features a compelling collection of films, including The Accompanist, starring Susan Sarandon and Aubrey Plaza; Katie Holmes’ directorial and writing debut, Happy Hours, also featuring Joshua Jackson; The Last Day with Alicia Vikander and Wagner Moura; Paul Rudd and Jeremy Sisto in Rain Reign; The Leader, starring Vera Farmiga, Tim Blake Nelson, Jim Parsons, and Simon Rex; Zach Braff in Clean Hands; and The Revisionist, featuring Alison Brie, André Holland, Tom Sturridge, and Dustin Hoffman. The section also highlights They Fight, with André Holland, Wendell Pierce, and Samira Wiley; Marc Maron in In Memoriam; and Only What We Carry, with Sofia Boutella, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lizzy McAlpine, Simon Pegg, and Quentin Tarantino. Select premieres, such as The Accompanist, The Revisionist, and Happy Hours, are presented by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, underscoring key partnerships.
The Spotlight Documentary section promises to deliver impactful non-fiction storytelling. Highlights include Carmelo Anthony in Born Melo; tennis icons Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in Chris & Martina: The Final Set; and Bob Odenkirk and David Cross in Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu. Nostalgia takes center stage with Doc Meets World, featuring the reunion of Rider Strong, Danielle Fishel, and Will Friedle celebrating the 30th anniversary of Boy Meets World. Comedy legends, including Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, and Dana Carvey, reflect on presidential impressions in Playing POTUS, while Mario chronicles the life of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. IX XI, directed by first-time filmmaker Sean Wilsey, offers a poignant look at September 11th through personal accounts, resonating deeply with Tribeca’s founding narrative. Miss Representation: Rise Up will be followed by a significant post-screening conversation with Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Dr. Safiya Noble, Nina Jankowicz, and Jim Steyer. Art enthusiasts can look forward to Jean-Michel, the first documentary made with the full participation of the Basquiat family, and The Symphony of Dance, featuring a special performance by Derek and Hayley Hough.
The U.S. Narrative Competition showcases the emerging talent of American independent cinema. This section features world premieres such as Airport BLVD, a jazz-infused musical set in Austin; Caity, a coming-of-age story set during Halloween; Cotton Fever, a raw depiction of addiction and recovery; Ephemera, a queer love story set in Shanghai; Here I’m Alive, a neo-realist urban epic set in New York City; Kingston, exploring social dynamics on a prestigious college campus; Lucy Schulman, a comedic coming-of-age story directed by Tribeca alum Ellie Sachs; Mother Future Self, a reunion drama set at a dance camp; Ponderosa, a darkly comedic tale; and She Keeps Me Young, a sharp satire.
The International Narrative Competition expands Tribeca’s global reach with compelling stories from around the world. Featured films include Against the Flow (France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Sweden), a drama about a couple facing difficult choices; Funk (Brazil), an electrifying musical drama starring Duda Santos; I Spy with My Little Eye (Germany), a bittersweet look at female solidarity; Labrador – Autopsy of Silence (Canada), a murder mystery aboard a freighter; Memorizu (Japan), a meditation on memory and family; Sad Girlz (Mexico, Spain, France), a coming-of-age drama; Skateboarding Is Not for Girls (North Macedonia, Belgium, Slovenia, Croatia), exploring patriarchal customs; Stand Up (Netherlands, Greece), about overcoming adversity; Summer War (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Italy), a stylish adaptation; and The Tropic Sun and His Eyes (Haiti), a journey of reconnection.
Viewpoints offers a platform for audacious and genre-bending filmmaking. Highlights include Ãrru (Norway, Sweden, Finland), a lyrical musical-drama; Crocodile (New Zealand, Nigeria), a documentary following a group of kids creating sci-fi films; Crooks (United States), a pulpy crime thriller; Deepfake (United States, Italy), a social media satire; Human Theories (United States), a collection of interconnected vignettes; The Keeper of the Camphor Tree (Japan), an inspiring animated feature; Matininó (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic), a kaleidoscopic documentary; Micronations (United States), a whimsical look at self-declared kingdoms; Moishe Badhan (or The Tale of a Wedding Entertainer) (Israel, United States), a hilarious caper; One Woman, One Bra (Kenya, Nigeria), a story of identity; Something You Should Know About Me (United States), a trans rom-com; and Vanishing Tracks (Iran, France, Norway, South Korea), a dreamy documentary about nomadic families.
The Escape From Tribeca section promises late-night thrills and cult cinema, featuring films like Breeder (Canada, United States), a suspenseful thriller; Dante (Spain), a fast-paced crime drama; Death Boom (United States), exploring the funeral industry; The Haunting of Pennhurst (United States), a documentary reframing a controversial institution; Mutter: The Diary of a Mother (Türkiye), a dark tale of motherhood; Recluse (United States), a supernatural horror film; and Turn It Up! (Canada), a genre-bending rock band story.
A Robust Shorts Program
Tribeca’s Shorts program, a renowned hub for discovery and a launchpad for Oscar winners, continues its legacy with an expansive lineup of 86 films from 93 filmmakers, including 45 world premieres. The program spans narrative, documentary, animated, and music video categories, offering one of the most comprehensive shorts selections at any major film festival.
The Narrative Short section features a diverse range of stories, including 32 B (Egypt), A Crime Across Four Landscapes (United States), Am I a Bad Person? (United States), Buckets (United States), Child of the Rouge (United States), Daddy’s Little Meatball (Australia / United States), DISC (United States), Brujo (Colombia), Fabric (United States), Fault (United States), Freestyle (United States), Found&Lost (Austria), General Admission (United States), Greetings from Sumatra (Poland), Homesick (United States), His House, Home (Ireland), I, of an Accident or of love (France), I Think About Killing You (United States), I’m Not Home (United States), Imprint (United States), Insufficient Fare (United States), Getar Hero (United States), Holo (Canada), Kaya (Philippines), Kiloran Bay (United Kingdom), Last Minute (United States), La Lucha de LucÃa (Mexico), Odessa (Netherlands), One Night (United States), Pale Sun (France), Rare Birds (United States), Sandy Fannies (Norway), Selah (United States), She’s Nonbinary (Canada), Sleep Call (United States), So, Boom (United States), Stand Clear’ the Closing Doors (United States), The Barbershop (Denmark), Ultimatum (Sweden), Vultures (France / South Africa), Winter Psalm (United States), and You Tryna Say You Love Me? (United States).
The Documentary Short program includes titles such as Born To Kill (United States), Cookie, Love (France), Couture To The Max (United States), Farm To Fashion (United States), Hope (United States / Mexico), Listen (United States), Mon Taxi (United States / Morocco), NIO KO BOKK (This Belongs to All of Us) (France), Oscar de la Renta A Life Well Lived (United States / Dominican Republic / Italy / India), Panther Pat (United States), Paving the Way (United States), Run In Beauty (United States), The Baddest Speechwriter of All (United States), The Dark Knot at the Center (Portugal / United States), The Second Life of Freddie Nole (United States), Theatre of Dreams (Qatar), and When the Revolution Doesn’t Come (United States). The program also features White Belt (United States).
Animated Short selections include APART (United States / South Africa), Because Today is Saturday (Portugal, France, Spain), ChikaBOOM! (United States), Dear Upstairs Neighbors (United States), Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe! (Czech Republic / Slovakia), Grounded (New Zealand), Leg Day (Brazil), Lost Touch (Switzerland), Me, Myself, and Mary (United Kingdom / Ireland), ROAR (United States), Saba (France), Under the Lake (Spain), Verse (United States), Violet and Marlowe Rob a Bank (United States), and WHALE 52 – Suite For Man, Boy, And Whale (United States).
The Music Video slate, curated by Sharon Badal, features an eclectic roster including "Animus Ignis" – Shawty Sweat (China), "Archbishop Harold Holmes" – Jack White (United States), "Beautiful" – Linda Perry (United States), "Elegantly Wasted" – Hermanos Gutierrez X Leon Bridges (United States), "Everyone’s A Star" – 5 Seconds of Summer (United States), "Fingers Crossed" – The Moth & The Flame (United States), "Grave" – Kid Cudi (United States), "Kill Me Fast" – Three Days Grace (United States), "Long Way To Go" – The What Four (United States), "Mr Electric Blue" – Benson Boone (United States), and "NEW YORK IS DEAD" – LP Giobbi feat. little boots (United States).
Commitment to Diversity and Emerging Talent
The 2026 Tribeca Festival continues its strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. The final selection of 118 feature films, including 103 world premieres, represents 143 filmmakers from 44 countries. Notably, 48 percent of the films in competition are directed by women, and 50 percent are directed by BIPOC filmmakers, reflecting Tribeca’s dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices.
This year’s festival also emphasizes the nurturing of new talent, with 55 first-time directors featured in the lineup. Among them are world premieres from threeASFOUR: Full Circle by Sean Ono Lennon; The Accompanist by Zach Woods; Iconoclast by Gabriel Basso; Jean-Michel by Quinn Whitney Wilson and Viridiana Lieberman; She Keeps Me Young by Doron Max Hagay; Lucy Schulman by Ellie Sachs; and Selah by Lara Everly, an alumna of the Through Her Lens: The Tribeca CHANEL Women’s Filmmaker Program.
Returning Tribeca alumni are also prominently featured, including Edward Burns with Finnegan’s Foursome; One9 with Alicia Keys: Girl From Hell’s Kitchen; Sam Pollard with The Lorraine; Sophia Takal with Act One; Drake Doremus with Next Life; Haifaa Al Mansour with Unidentified; and Hugo Ruiz with Dante. The festival also welcomes back Alex Goyette with Breeder, a project first introduced at the Tribeca Creators Market in 2019. The Safdie brothers serve as executive producers on Alden Nusser and Ben Fries’ The Lion Queen, while Mariska Hargitay and Trish Adlesic are executive producers on Habiba Nosheen’s The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony.
Broader Impact and Future Outlook
Cara Cusumano, Tribeca Festival Director and SVP of Programming, summarized the festival’s ongoing mission: "Twenty-five years in, Tribeca remains a festival built on discovery and cultural conversation. This year’s film program once again brings together global premieres, iconic talent, and daring new voices to transform screenings into unforgettable shared experiences. From legends and trailblazers to bold emerging artists, these films reflect the creativity, vitality, and diversity of New York and the world, and a festival that continues to evolve alongside the creators shaping what comes next.”
The festival’s dedication to showcasing new talent is further exemplified by the new Best New York Short Award, celebrating stories rooted in the city’s identity. The expansion of the Shorts Cinema at Spring Studios continues to provide increased visibility for emerging filmmakers. Ben Thompson, Tribeca Festival Vice President of Shorts Programming, highlighted the program’s significance: "Tribeca’s Shorts program has been a launchpad for extraordinary filmmakers, and this year’s lineup continues that legacy with a dynamic, globally diverse group of storytellers. These films capture moments of hope, resilience, and transformation, while pushing the boundaries of form and perspective. It’s an exciting look at the future of cinema, shaped by artists unafraid to take risks.”
Passes and ticket packages for the 2026 Tribeca Festival are now available for purchase at TribecaFilm.com, with the premium Hudson Pass offering exclusive VIP access and invitations to Opening or Closing Night. The festival’s enduring commitment to fostering a vibrant cinematic community, celebrating diverse voices, and promoting the transformative power of storytelling remains at its core as it embarks on its silver anniversary.
