Earth, Wind & Fire Documentary to Open 25th Tribeca Festival

The 25th annual Tribeca Festival will commence on June 3, 2026, with the world premiere of the documentary *Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World)*, directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. The screening will take place at the Beacon Theatre in New York City and will be followed by a live performance featuring the iconic band Earth, Wind & Fire and The Roots. This event marks a significant milestone for the festival, celebrating its silver anniversary with a focus on the cultural impact of the legendary funk and soul band.

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The documentary explores the legacy and cultural influence of Earth, Wind & Fire, emphasizing the vision of its founder, Maurice White. It incorporates rare archival materials to provide a comprehensive look at the band's journey from their early beginnings in the 1970s to their status as one of the most celebrated musical acts in history. The film is produced by Questlove, Dave Sirulnick, Samantha Grogin, KB White, and Arron Saxe, with executive producers including Jon Kamen, Cheo Hodari Coker, Karla Zambrano, Zarah Zohlman, Shawn Gee, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, and Amos Newman.

Deadline Hollywood

The selection of a music documentary for the opening night aligns with recent trends in festival programming, where documentaries paired with live performances have become a hallmark. Tribeca Festival Director Cara Cusumano noted that this event encapsulates the festival's ethos, showcasing "creative pioneers at the top of their game." The festival has previously featured Earth, Wind & Fire during its 2017 opening night, making this premiere a symbolic return for the band.

Billboard

Questlove expressed his honor in bringing this project to the festival, stating, “The past two years of deep research and creative magic surrounding Earth, Wind & Fire have been nothing short of transformative.” He emphasized the band's cultural significance, asserting that the documentary illustrates why their legacy is vital. Jane Rosenthal, co-founder and co-chair of the Tribeca Festival, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the meaningfulness of celebrating the festival's 25th anniversary with such a prominent film.

Variety Magazine

Following its premiere at the Tribeca Festival, *Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World)* will debut on HBO and will be available for streaming on HBO Max later in 2026. The festival will run from June 3 to June 14, 2026, with additional programming details to be announced.

IndieWire

• “It is an absolute honor to bring this project to the Tribeca Festival,” — Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Director

Variety Magazine

• “Opening Night is always a magical moment! This year, as we celebrate 25 years of the festival, it is especially meaningful,” — Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Tribeca Festival

Variety Magazine

• “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,” — Cara Cusumano, Festival Director

Hollywood Reporter

This documentary premiere not only celebrates the artistry of Earth, Wind & Fire but also reinforces the Tribeca Festival's commitment to highlighting significant cultural narratives through film.

Variety Magazine