Earlier today, Tribeca announced its lineup of Gala events alongside its Opening, Closing, and Centerpiece selections.

The 2023 Tribeca Festival kicks off on Wednesday, June 7th, with the North American premiere of Kiss the Future. This documentary follows the story of a community of underground musicians and creatives throughout the nearly four-year-long siege of Sarajevo, as well as the 1997 U2 concert celebrating the liberation of the Bosnian capital. According to the press release sent out by Tribeca, this film was chosen to open the festival because of its "testament to art's enduring ability to cast light even in the darkest of circumstances and reflects Tribeca's founding mission of utilizing the power of storytelling to heal communities." Kiss the Future is produced by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Sarah Anthony, and features U2's Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton, officially opening the 12-day festival.

"We know U2’s marquee is helpful in getting the lives of these local heroes to a wider audience, but even at my most puffed up I couldn’t have imagined our tiny role being given so much care, attention, and screen time by Nenad Cicin-Sain. If defiance is the essence of romance, then the people of Sarajevo are the most romantic figures. Viva Sarajevo!"

-- Bono

“Ben [Affleck] and I are proud of this film and are honored that it has been selected to open the Tribeca Festival. We are grateful to the people of Sarajevo and to U2 for giving us the opportunity to help tell this special story. Though this event happened almost 30 years ago, we feel it has strong relevance to today’s world, serving as a powerful reminder that human creativity can provide a powerful antidote to even the most horrific of situations.”

-- Matt Damon

Closing the festival is A Bronx Tale, which Tribeca chose to commemorate its 30th anniversary and will screen on Saturday, June 17th. After the movie, the film's director and star, Robert De Niro, producer Jane Rosenthal, and writer and co-star Chazz Palminteri are participating in a live conversation with the editor of The New Yorker, David Remnick.

“A Bronx Tale is a very personal project that marked my directorial debut. I’m pleased to celebrate its 30th anniversary at Tribeca with my longtime producing partner and Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal, the wonderful Chazz Palminteri, and a live New York audience at the iconic Beacon Theatre.”

-- Robert De Niro

For this year's Centerpiece Gala, the selections include world premieres of music documentaries about Grammy-winning artists, such as Carlos Santana, Cyndi Lauper, and French Montana, with each artist performing after their associated screenings. Another Grammy winner, Megan Thee Stallion, will also be present to participate in a live conversation. The Gala events, which City National Bank sponsors, take place at the Beacon Theatre on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

“Music is an instrumental form of storytelling, and the Tribeca Festival is thrilled to weave dynamic performances into our Gala events. Our lineup features the best of soul, rock & roll, pop, and hip-hop. We hope our audiences are inspired by activism in art and riled up by the electrifying acts paired with the screenings.”

-- Tribeca Festival Director and VP of Programming Cara Cusuamno

The Tribeca Festival is curated by Festival Director and VP of Programming Cara Cusumano, Artistic Director Frédéric Boyer; VP of Programming Sharon Badal and VP of Shorts Programming Ben Thompson; Senior Programmers Liza Domnitz, Faridah Gbadamosi, and Jarod Neece; Programmers José F. Rodriguez, Casey Baron, Jason Gutierrez, and Jonathan Penner; VP of Games and Immersive Casey Baltes and Immersive Curator Ana Brzezińska; Curator of Audio Storytelling Davy Gardner; Music Programmer Vincent Cassous; and Chief Content Officer Paula Weinstein, along with a team of associate programmers.

Keep an eye out for more Tribeca 2023 coverage as we get closer to the Festival in June. I'm already sending emails out for potential coverage, so here's hoping that this year's coverage is even more extensive than last year's or that I find some hidden gems.

The full lineup of Gala events is detailed below. To purchase passes and ticket packages for the 2023 Tribeca Festival, go to tribecafilm.com/festival.

2023 Tribeca Festival Gala Selections

Kiss the Future, (USA, Ireland) - North American Premiere. A stirring testament to art's enduring ability to cast light in even the darkest of circumstances, Kiss the Future follows an underground community that worked and was created throughout the nearly four-year-long Siege of Sarajevo. After an American aid worker makes a longshot pitch to U2 to help raise awareness about the Bosnian capital's plight, the band's live satellite interviews with local Sarajevans during their 1993 ZOO TV Tour help highlight the direness of the situation on the ground. And when U2 arrives to perform a long-promised concert after the city's liberation, the show becomes a monument to the strength and resilience of the people of Sarajevo and art's capacity to inspire and unite. Directed by Nenad Cicin-Sain, written by Bill Carter. Produced by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Sarah Anthony. With Vesna Andree Zaimović, Senad Zaimović, Enes Zlatar, Alma Catal Hurem, Boris Siber, Gino Jevdjevic, Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton.

DATE: Wednesday, June 7th
TIME: 8:00 PM
LOCATION: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center

A Bronx Tale, (United States). In Robert De Niro's stunning directorial debut, a devoted father battles a local mob boss for the life of his son. Growing up on the racially divided streets of 1960s New York, 9-year-old Calogero, or "C," idolizes sophisticated local gangster Sonny (Chazz Palminteri), despite stern warnings from his working-class father (Robert De Niro). But when "C" gets older, he finds himself torn between two worlds and must choose between earning respect like his father or commanding it like Sonny. Vividly evoking the sights and sounds of the iconic neighborhood, A Bronx Tale is a compelling story of love and loyalty. Directed by Robert De Niro. Written by Chazz Palminteri. Produced by Robert De Niro, Jon Kilik, and Jane Rosenthal. With Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato.

After the Movie: A conversation with director and star Robert De Niro, producer Jane Rosenthal, and writer and co-star Chazz Palminteri. The editor of The New Yorker, David Remnick, will join them in conversation.

DATE: Saturday, June 17th
TIME: 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Beacon Theatre

Elemental, (United States) – New York Premiere. Set in Element City, where fire-, water-, earth- and air-residents live together, the story introduces fiery young woman Ember, whose friendship with water-guy Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in and the person she wants to be. The voice cast includes Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie Del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Catherine O'Hara, Mason Wertheimer, and Joe Pera. Directed by Peter Sohn, produced by Denise Ream, p.g.a., and executive produced by Pete Doctor, "Elemental" features a screenplay by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel, and Brenda Hsueh with story by Sohn, Hoberg & Likkel and Hsueh. Original score composed and conducted by Thomas Newman. A Disney and Pixar release.

DATE: Saturday, June 10th
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center

Let the Canary Sing, (United States, UK) - World Premiere. Alison Ellwood's boisterous documentary is a big-hearted and joyous look at the life and career of music icon Cyndi Lauper. From her humble beginnings in Queens to her ascension to global stardom, the film celebrates Lauper's powerful voice, her dedication to advocacy, and staying true to her irrepressible, spunky self. Directed by Alison Ellwood. Produced by Alison Ellwood, Trevor Birney, Eimhear O'Neill, and Andrew Tully.

After the Movie: A special performance by Cyndi Lauper.

DATE: Wednesday, June 14th
TIME: 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Beacon Theatre

A Storytellers Conversation with Megan Thee Stallion - Megan Thee Stallion is a three-time Grammy-winning recording artist, actor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Megan has been recognized for her musical achievements, including nine BET Awards and back-to-back Billboard Music Awards for "Top Rap Female Artist." Additionally, she has been honored for her advocacy efforts, having received the 2022 Special Achievement Award at The Webby Awards and the Trailblazer Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Most recently, Megan made history in Nov. 2022, becoming the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Forbes' prestigious Under 30 issue. She was previously recognized as one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2020 after publishing her monumental "Why I Speak Up For Black Women" op-ed for The New York Times.

DATE: Thursday, June 15th
TIME: 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Beacon Theatre

For Khadija, (United States, Morocco) - World Premiere. Moroccan-born and New York-bred Grammy-nominated, Diamond-certified recording artist, humanitarian, and entrepreneur French Montana gives a deeper look into his roots and globe-spanning upbringing, led by the sacrifices of his single mother. Directed by Mandon Lovett. Produced by French Montana.

After the Movie: A performance by French Montana, Triplets Ghetto Kids, and special guests.

DATE: Friday, June 16th
TIME: 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Beacon Theatre

Carlos, (United States) - World Premiere. The immersive and intimately-crafted documentary Carlos catapults us into rock icon Carlos Santana's life and musical trajectory. Filmmaker Rudy Valdez bolsters this personal narrative with pulsating, never-before-seen footage — guided by Santana himself, and in his own words. Directed by Rudy Valdez. Produced by Sara Bernstein, Justin Wilkes, Lizz Morhaim, Leopoldo Gout, Ashley Kahn, Sam Pollard, and Rudy Valdez.

After the Movie: A performance by the legendary Santana.

DATE: Saturday, June 17th
TIME: 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Beacon Theatre

Until next time!

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