Written by Jill Goldsmith, Deadline
The 23rd edition of the Tribeca Festival is out with its slate of feature films including world premieres starring Kristen Stewart, Lily Gladstone and Jenna Ortega. Another high-profile title is Saving Casa Bonita, a new documentary about South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone restoring an iconic Colorado restaurant.
Stewart toplines Sacramento, a road trip comedy directed by Michael Angarano and also starring Michael Cera and Maya Erskine. Jazzy with Gladstone and Jasmine Bearkiller Shangreaux is a companion piece to 2023 indie drama The Unknown Country, in which Gladstone appeared just prior to her Oscar-nominated performance in Killers Of The Flower Moon. Ortega stars in director Tiffany Paulsen’s romantic drama Winter Spring Summer or Fall alongside Marisol Nichols, Percy Hynes White and Adam Rodriguez.
The documentary lineup, long a Tribeca strength, will feature comedy greats (Group Therapy, Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution) politically tinged pics ahead of the U.S. election (America’s Burning, Hacking Hate) and anti-Putin fare (Antidote, The Cranes Call). And AI, naturally, is also in the house (The Thinking Game, Pandora’s Code).
“Each year, the Tribeca Festival reflects our culture, capturing the essence of the present
moment,” said Tribeca co-founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal. “Storytelling possesses a remarkable ability to bring us together, offering hope in these challenging times. We eagerly anticipate engaging with audiences on difficult yet timely subjects.”
Tribeca’s opening night film, Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge, is an intimate look at the life of the New York-based, Belgian-born designer directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton. The film’s premiere coincides with the 50th anniversary of von Furstenberg’s iconic wrap dress that revolutionized women’s fashion.
After two decades in April and early May, the fest has recently settled into a June groove, this year running from Wednesday, June 5, to Sunday, June 16. Organizers said the 108 features films this year (from 114 filmmakers across 487 countries) were chosen from a record-breaking 13,016 submissions. The roster includes 86 world premieres, two international premieres, six North American premieres and eight New York premiers. Half are directed by women, 36 by BIPOC filmmakers. Some 25 directors are returning to Tribeca with their latest projects.
Notably, it’s the first year since Covid that the fest will not have an online component.
Asked about the setup, Tribeca Festival Director and SVP of Programming Cara Cusumano told Deadline “a combination of things” led to this year’s shift away from virtual offerings. “It feels like it’s had its time and everyone is moving past it, and there’s not a huge appetite on the filmmaker side,” she said. “So we just decided to emphasize the New York experience,”
Attendees and organizers alike are hoping for better weather in NYC than last year, when a miasma of acrid smoke from Canadian wildfires enveloped the city as the festival kicked off.
Music docs, a traditional core element of the festival, this year will include They All Came Out To Montreux with Prince, Sting, Carlos Santana, Aretha Franklin and Keith Richards; Satisfied, about Renée Elise Goldsberry; Linda Perry: Let It Die Here with Linda Perry, Dolly Parton, Brandi Carlile, and Christina Aguilera; Avicii – I’m Tim with Tim ”Avicii” Bergling, Chris Martin and David Guetta; and Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story with Liza Minelli. Goldsberry and Perry will perform after the films premiere.
In Brats, Andrew McCarthy reunites with fellow Brat Pack alums Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Jon Cryer, Ally Sheedy and Emilio Estevez in a documentary exploring the cultural phenomenon they became in the 1980s and its impact on their lives in the intervening decades. Made in England: The Films of Powell & Pressburger is Martin Scorsese’s personal journey through the work of the visionary British filmmakers.
The Spotlight narrative section, out of competition, includes Cannes-premiering Firebrand with Alicia Vikander and Jude Law, and Daddio with Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn, which bowed at Telluride.
It’s the first year Viewpoints section films will be in competition, including animated feature Boys Go to Jupiter starring Elsie Fisher, Tavi Gevinson, Julio Torres and Sarah Sherman, and thriller Darkest Miriam with Britt Lower.
The festival is curated by Cusumano, artistic director Frédéric Boyer; VP of Programming Sharon Badal and VP of Shorts Programming Ben Thompson and a team including programmers for immersive, audio storytelling and music.
Here’s the complete 2024 feature film lineup released today, with loglines furnished by the festival:
U.S. NARRATIVE COMPETITION
The Knife, (United States) – World Premiere. After the mysterious appearance of a stranger in their home, a young Black family must deal with the fallout of their choices, big and small, as a steadfast detective tries to crack the case over the course of one fateful night. Directed by Nnamdi Asomugha. Written by Nnamdi Asomugha, Mark Duplass. Produced by Nnamdi Asomugha, Mark Duplass, Jonathan Baker. With Nnamdi Asomugha, Melissa Leo, Aja Naomi King, Manny Jacinto.
Director of Photography: Alejandro Mejia, AMC
SPOTLIGHT NARRATIVE
In the Summers, (United States) – New York Premiere. In this poignant debut film, embark on a journey with two sisters as they grapple with their relationship to their well-meaning but troubled father during their childhood summers. Directed and written by Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio. Produced by Alexander Dinelaris, Rob Quadrino, Nando Vila. With Rene Perez Joglar, Sasha Calle, Lio Mehiel, Leslie Grace. Kneecap, (Ireland) – New York Premiere. The band themselves, Kneecap, star in this raucous, sly award-winning musical set in post-Troubles Belfast when the rap trio erupted as a defiant champion of the Irish language and potent symbol of Ireland’s disenfranchised youth. Directed and written by Rich Peppiatt. Produced by Trevor Birney, Jack Tarling. With Naoise Ó Cairealláin, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Jj Ó Dochartaigh, Michael Fassbender. A Sony Pictures Classics Release.
Director of Photography: Alejandro Mejia, AMC
Lake George, (United States) – World Premiere. A pair of misfit oddballs strike a deal too big to pass up — and maybe too good to be true — as they set out on a road trip and redemption story in this dark comedy neo-noir. Directed and written by Jeffrey Reiner. Produced by Jeffrey Reiner, Joey Oglesby, Cleta Ellington. With Shea Whigham, Carrie Coon, Glenn Fleshler, Max Casella.
Production Designer: Stuart Blatt
