Here are the best things to see at the 2024 Tribeca Festival
The Tribeca Festival has long prided itself on having something for everyone. But what it has most of all is, well, everyone: A-listers dotting intimate indies, career conversations delving deep, professional panels packed with celebrity insights.
This year’s festival begins on June 5 with the biographical documentary Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge—to be followed, through June 16, by a tremendous lineup of streaming, gaming, podcast, music, and design events.
That said, Tribeca Festival really does remain a film festival at heart. What’s more, the added bonus is where TF forever excels. Want some standup with your screening? Judy Gold, Margaret Cho, and Joel Kim Booster will deliver exactly that before the documentary Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, about the cultural influence of queer comics. How about a live concert after your concert movie? Consider one of the festival’s many music docs: premieres about Ani DiFranco (1-800-On-Her-Own), Melissa Etheridge (I’m Not Broken), and Renée Elise Goldsberry (Satisfied) will be followed by performances from their very subjects.
And that’s just for starters. Michael Angarano, who directed and stars in the road trip dramedy Sacramento, acknowledges that “audiences have a lot of ways to view something these days. But seeing a film at a festival is like going to an off-Broadway play: it’s appreciating the art form, rather than just pure commerce. It’s also exciting to experience things before others have. It gives you a chance to form your own opinion before popular opinion shapes it.” Plus, he points out, “Getting the experience of viewing the film and then the insight into how it was made is double the fun.”
Seeing a film at a festival is like going to an off-Broadway play: it’s appreciating the art form, rather than just pure commerce. It’s also exciting to experience things before others have.
Indeed, most premiere screenings will be followed by a Q&A or conversation, so Angarano, for example, will be sticking around to chat with costar Michael Cera. Just a few of the others you’ll be able to hear from are Andrew McCarthy—who revisits fellow
and Demi Moore in the Gen-Xtravaganza Brats—Jake Gyllenhaal, who’s bringing an episode of his upcoming series Presumed Innocent, and Norman Reedus, returning in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon-The Book of Carol. Dave Eggers will talk about the book bans he explores in To Be Destroyed, and In the Arena: Serena Williams will be followed by a convo with the GOAT herself.
While most of these screenings will be sold out, don’t assume any event is truly out of bounds. As festival director Cara Cusumano notes, “Always remember the rush line! If something is reading as sold out or ‘on rush’ online, it just means we aren’t issuing any more advance tickets. Any open seats will be sold at the show start time, and we’re almost always able to admit most or all of the rush line.”
And sure, it’s always fun to be the first to see something special. But don’t overlook the chance to rediscover old favorites, either. This year’s retrospectives include so many treasures it’ll be tough to choose: A Sopranos 25th anniversary reunion—after Wise Guy, Alex Gibney’s new doc on the series–will welcome creator David Chase and several cast members; Nas is introducing 1984’s Bronx-set hip-hop classic Beat Street; and Melissa McCarthy marks the “Criminal” podcast’s 10th year with a live show.
By the way, did you know that Robert De Niro co-founded this festival? You certainly will before it’s over because the last two days are dedicated to the icon in honor of his 80th birthday. From June 14 to 16 he’ll be everywhere, including at screenings of Jackie Brown (in conversation with Quentin Tarantino), Mean Streets (chatting with Martin Scorsese), and The Deer Hunter (introduced by Christopher Walken).
Kinda hoping to skip the movies and get straight to the talking? No problem: this year’s fest features career conversations with celebs like Kerry Washington—who will also appear with Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins and public health advocate Perri Peltz in a special event sponsored by Chanel–Alison Roman, Kieran Culkin, Laverne Cox and Michael Stipe.
Oh, and we haven’t even gotten to the exclusive gaming demos, the always-intense VR experiences, or the panels with Jon Bon Jovi, Jenna Lyons, Brooke Shields, Terry Crews—actually, you should probably take a look yourself. But do it soon: you won’t be the only one who wants to hear Jude Law and Alicia Vikander talk about their Tudor drama Firebrand or watch Footloose alongside Kevin Bacon. Or…well. You’ve got the idea. Now go make your plans.
The Tribeca Festival runs from June 5 to June 16. Tickets are available at tribecafilm.com. Rush tickets will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available, at venues other than the Beacon Theatre.