The Tribeca Festival’s 20th year kicked off on Wednesday, highlighted by the world premiere of Warner Bros.’ much-anticipated In the Heights, a film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical set in the streets of the Washington Heights neighbourhood of Upper Manhattan.
Tribeca’s organizers are drawing parallels between this year’s festival, which comes in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its inaugural event in April 2002, coming 7 months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York and America. The common themes now and then are coming together, and starting again, a timely message considering the momentum building for a return to theatrical releasing and moviegoing.
Tribeca is the first major North American festival since the beginning of the pandemic to hold its primary screenings indoors once again. In addition to In the Heights, notable premieres include a series of high-profile documentaries including Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, All These Sons and Death of My Two Fathers. Other highly anticipated features include the French production Roaring 20’s telling the story of the City of Light opening back up after the COVID pandemic lockdowns, the Egyptian coming-of-age story Souad, and the Puerto Rican comedy Perfume de Gardenias. The cultural diversity of these films befits Tribeca’s setting in New York City, among the most culturally diverse cities in the world.
See also: Tribeca Festival Returns In Person, Offering Hope For NYC And Potential For Deals (Deadline)