If you’re looking for the lowdown on all the Blackity-black goodness coming to and out of Tribeca Festival this year, look no further!
Suggested Reading
As per usual, ‘round this part of the internet, we like to highlight the movies, series, documentaries, events, and experiences made for us by us, starring us, and or centering us. So if you’ve got your virtual or IRL tickets booked and secured for this year’s festival: sit back, relax, and keep clicking to see what all you can expect.
The Blackening
This Tim Story directed, Tracy Oliver and DeWayne Perkins-written comedy centers around a group of Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. Forced to play by his rules, the friends soon realize this ain’t no motherfucking game. Starring Melvin Gregg, Sinqua Walls, Antoinette Robertson, Grace Byers, Dewayne Perkins, X Mayo, Jermaine Fowler, Jay Pharoah, and Yvonne Orji—The Blackening skewers genre tropes and poses the sardonic question: if the entire cast of a horror movie is Black, who dies first?
The Perfect Find
This Numa Perrier-directed film follows Gabrielle Union’s Jenna, who is on a mission to make her fashion career come back after a high-profile firing. She hits a snag when she falls for a charming, much younger coworker (Keith Powers) — who happens to be her boss’s son. As sparks fly, Jenna must decide if she’ll risk it all on a secret romance. This rom-com is based on the book of the same name by Tia Williams.
Cinnamon
Aspiring singer Jodi Jackson (Tony-nominee Hailey Kilgore) has a big voice and dreams to match but struggles to make ends meet as a gas station attendant whose boss (Damon Wayans) may not be on the up and up. Enter charming small-time crook Eddie (David Iacono). He would do anything to make her dreams come true. The two lovers hatch a plan to change their lives, but as the old proverb goes, “We plan, God laughs.” What follows is a journey in which they both must use their wits to survive. The film is directed by Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr.
Cold Copy
Directed and written by Roxine Helberg, the kinetic drama Cold Copy follows an ambitious journalism student’s tactics to impress, and get into the good graces of, an esteemed yet cutthroat news reporter—even if it involves manipulating her latest story—and truth itself. It stars Tracee Ellis Ross, Bel Powley, Jacob Tremblay, and Nesta Cooper.
The Listener
The Listener, starring Creed and Marvel star Tessa Thompson, is an understated drama about a night in the life of a mental health helpline volunteer and a stirring testament to the power of empathy. It’s directed by Steve Buscemi and written by Alessandra Camon.
Our Son
Fed up with the state of his relationship, Gabriel (Billy Porter) files for divorce from his partner of thirteen years, Nicky (Luke Evans). Thus begins their complex journey to find themselves and support their son along the way. Our Son is directed by Bill Oliver and written by Peter Nickowitz. The film also stars Phylicia Rashad, Robin Weigert, Andrew Rannells, and Isaac Powell.
Lost Soulz (movie)
Directed by Katherine Propper, Lost Soulz follows Sol (Sauve Sidle), an aspiring young rapper living with his best friend Wesley (Siyanda Stillwell), whose family has embraced him as a brother. After a raucous night causes Wesley to overdose, Sol abandons him at a house party, and eventually chooses to leave home for good and join a touring group of hip-hop artists. As they travel across Texas creating and performing, he discovers who he is as an artist and person.
The League (doc)
Baseball isn’t the game we know and love without the contribution of Black Americans. In The League, director Sam Pollard explores the incredible history of the Negro Leagues, its impact on the sport of baseball, and the players that still resonate through history to this day. It’s produced by Byron Motley, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, and Tariq Trotter.
Uncharted
UNCHARTED follows emerging female artists who attend a once in a lifetime songwriting camp helmed by Alicia Keys and her organization She Is The Music. A personal look at the music industry through the lens of black and brown creatives, Uncharted, is an intimate portrait of these rising stars and the pressures and challenges they face in a business offering little access for success. It’s directed by Beth Aala.
BS High
After a nationally televised high school football game between top-ranked IMG Academy and unknown Bishop Sycamore ended with an IMG blowout win, it’s discovered that Bishop Sycamore isn’t at all what it seems. BS High is directed by Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe. Produced Michael Strahan and more. An HBO Sports Documentaries release.
Anthem
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” written in 1814 using the melody of an old British tune, is a song that evokes a range of emotions from patriotic pride to cynicism and terror. But what would the national anthem sound like if it was based on American music? Anthem follows composer and pianist Kris Bowers and producer Dahi as they journey across the country to find out.
All Up in the Biz
In All Up in the Biz, director Sacha Jenkins creates a collage of celebrity interviews, rare film, reenactments, and playful animation to share how Biz Markie left his mark on the history of hip-hop.
Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive
Gloria Gaynor forever cemented her place in popular culture with the disco classic “I Will Survive”. In the four decades since, her career has been stalled by health issues, as well as abuse and mismanagement from her now ex-husband. Yet in keeping with the title of her most famous song, Gaynor struggles onward as she works to release a new gospel album in her seventies.
Milli Vanilli
Filmmaker Luke Korem looks back on the origins and eventual fallout of a one hit-wonder. Milli Vanilli scrutinizes the dreams of singers Rob & Fab, who fell prey to greedy tactics, causing their downfall.
Stylebender
In Zoe McIntosh’s Stylebender, Israel Adesanya is an out-of-this-world fighter who is as complex as he is powerful. It follows the Nigerian-born, New Zealand-based MMA Champion as he grows his legend.
For Khadija
French Montana is many things, including an entrepreneur and Grammy-nominated rapper. But what did it take for a hungry talent from Africa to reach those lofty heights? The Moroccan-born and New York-bred multi-platinum artist behind hits such as “Pop That,” “Unforgettable,” and “No Stylist” is giving us a deeper look through his lens. This globe-spanning showcase provides views of French we haven’t seen, including the unbreakable bond he shares with his single mother, Khadija.
Bad Like Brooklyn DanceHall
Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall explores the ‘80s and ‘90s emergence of dancehall as Jamaican immigrants brought the music, dancing, and vibes of their home to New York City. Nicknamed the 15th Parish of Jamaica, New York City became home to an influential movement that saw dancehall rise alongside hip-hop and eventually spread across the country.
Panel Talks & Experiences
For more information on the panel, masterclasses, and experiences at this year’s festival—including those featuring Chance the Rapper, Megan Thee Stallion and Angela Bassett: head to tribecafilm.com
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