The 2025 edition of the Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, is set to light up New York City with a dynamic and diverse slate of films, concerts, and conversations from June 4 to 15. True to its legacy, this year’s lineup blends powerful storytelling, star-driven narratives, and groundbreaking documentaries, showcasing a vibrant mix of global voices and iconic figures from across the entertainment spectrum.
A New York State of Mind: Billy Joel Documentary to Open the Festival
The festival will open on June 4 with the world premiere of Billy Joel: And So It Goes, a sweeping documentary that pays tribute to one of New York’s most cherished music legends. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmakers Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin and produced by Emma Pildes, the film promises a rich exploration of Joel’s journey — from his Long Island roots to his reign as a stadium-filling, Grammy-winning artist. With rare archival footage and intimate interviews, the HBO Documentary Films release sets a deeply personal and nostalgic tone for the festival’s opening night.
Powerful Close: DiCaprio-Produced YANUNI to Wrap Up Tribeca 2025
Closing the festival on June 15 is the world premiere of YANUNI, a stirring global co-production that merges personal narrative with political urgency. Directed by Richard Ladkani and co-produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, the film follows Indigenous leader Juma Xipaia, who has survived six assassination attempts while fighting to protect her people’s land in the Amazon. When she discovers she’s pregnant, her activism takes on new dimensions. With support from co-producers Anita Ladkani and Hugo Loss, YANUNI promises a powerful finale that speaks to both heart and conscience.
Musical Icons Take Center Stage
This year’s Tribeca is also a haven for music lovers, with a major spotlight on globally recognized artists and intimate visual journeys. Miley Cyrus will debut her visual album Something Beautiful, co-directed by Cyrus herself alongside Jacob Bixenman and Brendan Walter. Produced by Tribeca alum Panos Cosmatos (Beyond the Black Rainbow), the screening will be followed by an exclusive conversation with Cyrus.
Other musical events include the world premiere of Billy Idol Should Be Dead, an electrifying documentary directed by Jonas Åkerlund that chronicles the punk icon’s rise, struggles, and resurrection. The screening will conclude with a live performance by Billy Idol himself. Meanwhile, documentaries featuring Becky G, Counting Crows, Culture Club, and Eddie Vedder will culminate in exclusive performances.
Festivalgoers will also be treated to intimate post-premiere conversations with members of Metallica, Depeche Mode, Wizkid, and Ty Dolla $ign, adding a deeply personal layer to the musical experience at Tribeca.
Star Power: Narrative Features Boast a Stellar Cast
Tribeca 2025’s narrative feature lineup is bursting with household names and compelling stories. Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney headline Everything’s Going to Be Great, while Tow stars Rose Byrne, Demi Lovato, and Octavia Spencer in a promising ensemble. Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick share the screen in The Best You Can, and Lucy Liu leads the cast in Rosemead.
Other narrative standouts include:
Dragonfly, featuring Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn
A Tree Fell in the Woods with Alexandra Daddario, Daveed Diggs, and Josh Gad
Deep Cover, a thriller starring Orlando Bloom and Bryce Dallas Howard
Sovereign, an intergenerational drama with Nick Offerman, Jacob Tremblay, Dennis Quaid, and Martha Plimpton
She Dances, written, produced, and headlined by Steve Zahn, alongside Ethan Hawke
These selections reflect the festival’s ongoing commitment to storytelling that bridges indie grit and mainstream appeal.
Hollywood Meets Tribeca: How to Train Your Dragon Live-Action Premiere
In a major studio moment for the festival, Universal will premiere its live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. The beloved franchise returns with a fresh cast, including Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler. The film’s inclusion bridges family-friendly fare with the festival’s reputation for cinematic innovation.
Spotlight+ Events Bring Stories and Stars Closer
Tribeca’s Spotlight+ section offers audiences a deeper connection with artists through post-screening conversations and performances. Are We Good?, a candid and emotional documentary about comedian Marc Maron’s life and grief journey, will feature a live Q&A with Maron following its New York premiere.
Billy Idol’s showcase in Billy Idol Should Be Dead further elevates the Spotlight+ experience, culminating in an intimate live concert performance.
Documentary World Premieres Celebrate Icons and Urgency
The documentary lineup for 2025 reflects both cultural retrospection and current relevance. Notable world premieres include:
Andy Kaufman Is Me – a layered look at the comedic enigma whose legacy continues to intrigue
Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything – a career-spanning profile of the groundbreaking journalist
Dear Ms. – chronicling Gloria Steinem’s journey and the feminist movement’s growth through Ms. Magazine
Kerouac’s Road: The Beat of a Nation – a poetic road-trip through Beat culture featuring Josh Brolin, Michael Imperioli, and Matt Dillon
Long Live the State – an inside look at NYU’s legendary alt-comedy troupe
Titan: The OceanGate Disaster – a timely and haunting investigation into the Titan submersible’s ill-fated journey to the Titanic wreck
These documentaries reinforce Tribeca’s role as a space where urgent, heartfelt, and revolutionary stories find their stage.
A Home for Artists: Tribeca’s Legacy and Vision
“For over two decades, we’ve championed emerging voices, celebrated established storytellers, and built a creative community where artists can grow, connect, and thrive,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the Tribeca Festival and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises. “Tribeca has always been more than a festival — it’s a home for artists navigating an ever-changing industry and an ever-changing world.”
This year’s lineup embodies that ethos, embracing both legacy and innovation, stardom and risk-taking.
When and Where
The 2025 Tribeca Festival runs from June 4 to June 15 across various venues in New York City, offering in-person access to screenings, performances, conversations, and premieres. The festival is presented by OKX, reinforcing its hybrid approach to arts, media, and emerging technologies.
Closing Note
From music legends and Hollywood royalty to passionate newcomers and cultural visionaries, the 2025 Tribeca Festival is shaping up to be a spectacular convergence of stories and voices. With its commitment to creativity, conversation, and community, Tribeca continues to celebrate not just what cinema is — but what it can become.
