Get ready to snack on some buttery popcorn and sip on your favorite drinks because the Tribeca Film Festival is back in the Big Apple! This star-studded event, a must-see in the realm of cinema, will be lighting up New York City from June 5 to June 16, 2024, for its 23rd edition.
If you’re a cinephile who appreciates a good mix of genres, Tribeca is the place to be. From mind-blowing narratives and spotlights to interesting documentaries and spooky flicks, Tribeca offers diverse segments to feast your eyes! Trust me, this year’s lineup is shaping up to be just as amazing as ever. So, let’s not waste more time and get ready for a cinematic extravaganza like no other! Here are the top 30 films you might want to watch!🍿🎬
Daddio
If you live for juicy gossip and drama, this film is your ideal Friday night binge. Featuring in Tribeca’s Spotlight, this segment showcases premieres from top filmmakers and actors that you won’t want to miss out on!
Ready to be hooked on the storyline of Daddio? So, a young woman (Dakota Johnson) hops into a late-night cab from JFK Airport to Midtown Manhattan, striking up a conversation with her cab driver (Sean Penn) along the way. What starts as a typical small talk eventually turns out to be a playful exchange of life stories between the two strangers. As the night unfolds, secrets are spilled and advice is shared, forming a genuine bond between two strangers. This random encounter leaves a lasting impact on both characters, leading to unexpected twists and changes in their lives.
The Devil’s Bath
Calling all fans of horror, thrills and jump scares! Don’t miss out on adding this spooktacular movie from the Midnight segment of Tribeca Film Festival to your ‘must-watch’ list! 👻
Agnes (Anja Plaschg) thought she was stepping into a fairy-tale romance when she married her beloved Wolf (David Scheid) in 18th-century Austria. But who would’ve imagined how quickly her dreams would turn into nightmares? With a dominating mother-in-law (Maria Hofstätter) and an uninterested husband, Agnes’ happily-ever-after took a sharp U-turn. As she grapples with loneliness and dejection, she finds herself sinking into a dark abyss, contemplating the unimaginable.
Adult Best Friend
Looking for a good laugh? Check out this comedy movie from the US narratives segment that perfectly captures the chaos of friendship. Katie (Katie Corwin) should be popping champagne for her engagement to John (Mason Goodling), but instead, she’s stressing over what her childhood BFF, Delaney (Delaney Buffett), will think. Join Katie on a girls’ trip gone wrong as she tries to break the news to her best friend. Spoiler alert: things do not go as planned. Grab your bestie for a movie night and enjoy this flick!
In the Summers
Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions in this heartfelt debut film. Join Violeta (Dreya Renae Castillo) and Eva (Luciana Quinonez) on a wild ride as they deal with their complicated bond with their loving yet troubled father, Vincente (René Pérez Joglar), during their summers as kids.
The Debutantes
Are you in the mood for an interesting documentary? The Tribeca Film Festival 2024 has got your back with The Debutantes! Here’s what you can expect. This documentary shines a spotlight on the first group of Black debutantes in Canton, Ohio, after 10 long years. Watch as these young women face the challenges of the ball’s history and forge their own path toward tradition and self-discovery.
State of Silence
This riveting documentary throws light on Mexico’s committed journalists who struggle against systemic corruption and narco-politics for independent journalism. It introduces you to the perils of local corruption and cartel-related killings that four Mexican journalists and their families face. Directed by Santiago Maza, this Tribeca Film Festival Spotlight+ gripping tale is not to be missed!
All That We Love
A heartfelt comedy, All That We Love follows the story of Emma who enters midlife awakening after losing her dog. The refreshingly light-hearted movie encourages you to keep up the spirit while balancing the ups and downs of life. Yen Tan’s fabulous direction and Margaret Cho’s phenomenal acting makes you fall in love with Emma’s world. This Spotlight Narrative certainly hits a homerun at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The Thinking Game
This AI-space factual film should be on your list if AI is your cup of tea. The Spotlight Documentary revolves around Demis Hassabis, a visionary AI researcher, and his quest to crack AI. The archival footage from the life and career of Demis makes this Tribeca Film Festival movie the latest best Sci-Fi pick for you.
Following Harry
Following Harry chronicles the life of Harry Belafonte who was one of the most renowned cultural and civil rights icons who dedicated his life to social justice. The intimate documentary celebrates Harry’s work with young activists, and his thoughts on the current landscape of race in America. The movie features in the Spotlight+ segment of the Tribeca Film Festival.
Memes & Nightmares
This extraordinary Tribeca Film Festival Spotlight Narrative features NBA Twitter king Josiah Johnson who explores the nature of human bonds in the digital era. Produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, Memes & Nightmares is an 81-minute extravaganza that talks about shaping ephemeral connections.
Bitterroot
Escape to the serene yet mysterious Montana countryside with Bitterroot. Premiering in the U.S. Narrative Competition category, this touching drama follows a man seeking a fresh start after his marriage falls apart. He goes home to care for his elderly mother, discovering new perspectives amidst the stunning landscapes. Directed by Vera Brunner-Sung and starring Wa Yang and Qu Kue, Bitterroot is a heartfelt journey of family, healing, and finding peace.
Griffin in Summer
Get ready to relive the magic of summer with Griffin in Summer, a delightful coming-of-age comedy in the U.S. Narrative Competition. Directed by Nicholas Colia, this film tells the story of a 14-year-old aspiring playwright who gets inspired by a local handyman during his vacation. Featuring a fantastic cast including Everett Blunck and Melanie Lynskey, this film is all about youthful dreams, unexpected friendships, and the beauty of a summer’s day.
The Dog Thief
Step into the streets of South America with The Dog Thief. In this gripping story from the International Competition category, Martín, an orphaned shoeshine boy, dreams up a daring plan. He decides to steal the dog of his favorite client, a lonely tailor he imagines could be his father. Directed by Vinko Tomičić Salinas and featuring Alfredo Castro, this film is a heartwarming and suspenseful tale of family, hope, and the lengths we’ll go to for love. Don’t miss this emotional rollercoaster!
Checkpoint Zoo
Experience a story of heroism and compassion in Checkpoint Zoo. This powerful documentary, premiering at Tribeca, captures the daring rescue of animals trapped in Kharkiv, Ukraine, during the Russian invasion. Directed by Joshua Zeman, this film showcases the incredible efforts of zookeepers and volunteers who risk everything to save innocent lives. Checkpoint Zoo is a must-watch for anyone who believes in the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.
Rebel Nun
Get ready to be inspired by Rebel Nun, a spotlight documentary that shines a light on the incredible life of Sister Helen Prejean. Known for her fight against the death penalty, her story was first told in Dead Man Walking. Directed by Dominic Sivyer, this film revisits her six decades of advocacy and justice. Rebel Nun is a moving tribute to a woman who continues to inspire with her unwavering dedication to human rights.
Bad Actor: A Hollywood Ponzi Scheme
Directed by Joslyn Jensen, this film in the documentary segment of the Tribeca Film Festival premieres worldwide. It explains how an aspiring Hollywood actor Zach Avery deceived investors with $227 million. It gives a sneak peek into how meticulously a D-list actor executed the biggest Ponzi scheme in the history of the entertainment industry. Produced by Matthew Cherchio, Dan O’Meara and Ted Speaker, the film is a reality check about fame.
Don’t You Let Me Go
This film at Tribeca Film Festival is a promising International entry from Uruguay, the storyline is penned and directed by Ana Guevara and Leticia Jorge. Slated for a worldwide premiere in Tribeca, the film flashes light on the worth of true friendship. The film stars Eva Dans, Chiara Hourcade & Victoria Jorge and centers around Adela and her deceased friend Elena. Adela is shown taking a magical bus and time-traveling to her lost friend just to relive quality time with her.
Sacramento
The Michael Angarano directorial is set for a world premiere in the U.S. Narrative segment at the Tribeca Film Festival. It stars Michael Cera and Michael Angarano along with Maya Erskine and Kristen Stewart. The film revolves around an unplanned road trip from LA to Sacramento taken by two former best buddies. The plot twist in this comical ride is that one is a free-spirited guy and the other is a father-to-be.
Bang Bang
Scheduled for a worldwide premiere at Tribeca Film Festival in the Spotlight segment, the film is directed by Vincent Grashaw and the story is written by Will Janowitz. The star cast includes Tim Blake Nelson playing the titular role accompanied by Glenn Plummer, Andrew Liner and Kevin Corrigan. Nelson plays a peculiar boxer who takes every possible way to amend his sinful past.
I’m Your Venus
The Kimberly Reed directorial is set for a world premiere in the Spotlight Documentary segment at the Tribeca Film Festival 2024. The documentary unravels the unsolved murder case of the sensational performer Venus Xtravaganza from the documentary film “Paris is Burning”. The film features her ballroom and biological families coming to the forefront to unveil her murder mystery and commemorate her. The film stars Gisele Alicea, Daniella Carter and Johnny Castro among others.
A Desert
If you are a fan of horror, there’s another one for you at the Tribeca Film Festival 2024. A Desert is a horror movie, directed by Joshua Erkman and written by Joshua Erkman and Bossi Baker. In this spine-tingling horror movie, a photographer’s road trip turns into a nightmare where he befriends a young and careless couple and turns the situation upside down. Starring the famous Kai Lennox, David Yow, and Sarah Lind, it is a thrilling adventure that blends suspense with discovery, and breathtaking visuals.
Desire: The Carl Craig Story
Another notable flick at the Tribeca Film Festival is Desire. Inspired by real life, Desire: The Carl Craig Story, (Switzerland, UK) World Premiere dives into the legendary and inspiring life story of DJ and producer Carl Craig. Directed by Jean – Cosme Delaloye and produced by Dan Wechsler, Andreas Roald. This documentary is a visual treat for the eyes for its rare footage and vast backdrop of artists. They have played a spectacular role in portraying the passion and struggles of the legendary Carl Craig.
They All Came Out to Montreux
The film ‘They All Came Out to Montreux,’ (UK) World Premiere features Prince, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis to name a few. It is an affectionate story directed by Oliver Murray and produced by Bill Lord. The movie beautifully captures the magic of world’s most iconic music festivals. Experience the struggles of Claude Nobs where he really makes a difference for his Swiss town. He turns the table when he makes his town a hub for world’s biggest jazz festivals. It’s a movie at Tribeca Film Festival which talks about another festival as its theme.
Skywalkers: A Love Story
Skywalkers: A Love Story is a heart-touching tale where Angela Nikolau and Vanya Beerkus face the ultimate test of love and survival. This Netflix release that features its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival is about fighting the global pandemic while beating the odds of a struggling relationship.The gripping tale is directed and produced by Jeff Zimbali and produced by Maria Bukhonina, Tamir Ardon, and Chris Smith.
Linda Perry: Let It Die Here
Linda Perry: Let It Die Here is an inspiring documentary of legendary music figure Linda Perry. Her struggles and courage are beautifully portrayed by the filmmaker Don Hardy, an award-winning songwriter and producer. An extraordinary story of a daughter and mother that will feature at the Tribeca Film Festival is a tale of resilience and strength. This beautiful movie is directed by Don Hardy and produced by Don Hardy & Shawn Dailey.
Jazzy
Get ready to be swept off your feet with Jazzy at the Tribeca Film Festival 2024! Directed by the visionary director Morrisa Maltz, this film promises a symphony of laughter, tears and everything in between. With a stellar cast, including Jasmine Bearkiller Shangreaux and Lily Gladstone, Jazzy invites you to witness the challenges of growing up on the Oglala Lakota reservation in South Dakota. So, who’s in for a cinematic journey of a lifetime?
Hacking Hate
Hacking Hate talks about the adrenaline-fueled journey of Swedish journalist My Vingren as she uncovers the dark world of white supremacy online. Directed by Simon Klose, this gripping documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival follows My’s daring investigation into neo-Nazi networks. It exposes their venomous spread of hate speech and extremism. Get ready for a wild ride as My, alongside whistleblowers Anika Collier Navaroli and Imran Ahmed, takes on the challenge of disrupting hate forever!
Made in Ethiopia
Made in Ethiopia offers a peek into the bustling industrialization in the country, fueled by China. Follow the adventures of Motto, a dynamic business woman determined to bring prosperity to her community. Directed by Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan, this documentary promises a roller coaster ride of hope, ambition and the quest for progress. Buckle up for a thrilling exploration of tradition, modernity and the pursuit of prosperity!
Rent Free
Ben and Jordan, two Gen Z pals, are on a mission to conquer NYC – without paying rent! Fernando Andres’s uproarious comedy Rent Free is a hilarious exploration of friendship, love and the art of couch-surfing. Directed with flair, this film at the Tribeca Film Festival is all about humor, laughs and a fresh take on queer male friendship. Join them on their wild journey as they navigate the ultimate quest for a free ride in the Big Apple and beyond!
DRIVER
In DRIVER, director Nesa Azimi takes audiences on a gripping journey through the world of long-haul trucking. Follow Desiree Wood’s transformation from loss to resilience as she navigates the challenges of life on the road. With her organization “REAL Women In Trucking,” Desiree leads a fearless coalition of female drivers to carve out their place in a male-dominated profession. Through humor, solidarity and unwavering commitment, they defy the odds and fight for recognition and respect. Don’t miss this drama at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Final Thoughts
The Tribeca Film Festival 2024 brings you a cinematic celebration you definitely don’t wanna miss! From enthralling documentaries and heartfelt dramas to spooky movies, there’s something for everyone in this year’s lineup. So, what are you still doing here? Binge-watch these top 30 films with friends and family that will make you believe in the magic of Tribeca. Explore GemsNY Blog for more such content on contemporary fashion and jewelry.
