The Tribeca Festival has announced the Opening Night film for its 25th anniversary edition. The milestone edition will open with the world premiere of the HBO Original documentary “Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World),“ directed by Ahmir “Questlove“ Thompson. Following his Oscar-winning success with “Summer of Soul,“ Questlove once again turns his attention to a defining musical legacy, this time chronicling the influence and enduring impact of Earth, Wind & Fire.
“It is an absolute honor to bring this project to the Tribeca Festival,” said Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. “The past two years of deep research and creative magic surrounding Earth, Wind & Fire have been nothing short of transformative. They remain one of the most culturally significant bands in history, and this project finally illustrates exactly why their legacy is so vital.”
A live performance from Earth, Wind & Fire will accompany the screening, alongside The Roots at the Beacon Theatre, continuing a Tribeca tradition of pairing high-profile premieres with once-in-a-lifetime musical events.
Music has long been embedded in Tribeca’s identity, from early post-9/11 community concerts to large-scale premiere events that merge film and live performance. Over the years, artists such as David Bowie, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and Taylor Swift have all contributed to the festival’s reputation as a major hub for music-focused storytelling.
“Opening Night is always a magical moment! This year, as we celebrate 25 years of the Festival, it is especially meaningful,” said Jane Rosenthal, Tribeca Festival Co-Founder and Co-Chair. “Tribeca was born in the wake of 9/11 with a belief: that storytellers have the power to bring communities together. For 25 years, we’ve seen artists, filmmakers, musicians, and audiences come together in New York City in ways that are inspiring, surprising, and deeply human. We are humbled by what’s been achieved and excited for the stories yet to come.”
“Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World)“ explores the band’s cultural influence and expansive body of work, drawing on rare archival material and focusing on the vision of founder Maurice White. The film is expected to debut on HBO and stream on HBO Max later in 2026.
“We are thrilled to welcome Questlove to the Festival to premiere a film that represents everything Tribeca stands for: creative pioneers at the top of their game in front of and behind the camera, showcasing the joy and community that great art manifests,” said Cara Cusumano, Tribeca Festival Director and SVP of Programming. “Paired with a rare live performance from Earth, Wind & Fire and The Roots, Opening Night will be a once-in-a-lifetime New York event that reflects the energy, creativity, and communal experience that has defined Tribeca for 25 years.”
With a live performance set to follow the premiere and a landmark anniversary framing the event, this year’s Opening Night signals a celebratory and high-energy start to the festival. As Tribeca looks ahead to its next chapter, it continues to lean into what it does best: spotlighting stories at the intersection of film, music, and culture while bringing audiences together for experiences that extend beyond the screen.
The full Festival lineup will be announced soon. For updates, follow @Tribeca and #Tribeca2026 on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 2026 Tribeca Festival passes and ticket packages are now available at tribecafilm.com.
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