2021 Tribeca Festival: Top 5 Films and How to Watch Them

The 2021 Tribeca Festival is underway as the best in storytelling and film is shown across New York City. However, the festival no longer focuses on just film and even has a remote virtual component. From June 11-20, audiences can immerse themselves in movies, TV, gaming, music, and online work.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Tribeca Festival, which began in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Co-founders Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff wanted to use storytelling to spur New York City’s economy and culture once again. Now, the Festival is once bringing art to audiences seeking hope after a year-long global pandemic.

Though some things have changed, Tribeca At Home allows audiences to stream their favorite films throughout the week from the safety and comfort of their couch. In addition, new programs were created to celebrate Juneteenth and Black storytelling and include an array of diverse voices. The Festival even dropped ‘Film’ from its name to incorporate different forms of media.

Above all, Tribeca Festival is a platform for immersive entertainment and independent film. Here are the top 5 films that we can’t wait to see throughout the week:

1. Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain: Two years ago this summer, celebrity chef and travel enthusiast Anthony Bourdain died by suicide. Everyone from former President Barack Obama to viewers of Bourdain’s hit series, Parts Unknown, felt the loss. With Roadrunner, Director Morgan Neville highlights Bourdain’s passion for food, culture, and life in general in a posthumous look at a soul that touched so many. Neville’s film celebrates the late star using TV clips, never-before-seen footage, and interviews. Find tickets here and stream Roadrunner at HBO Max on June 23.

2. Untitled: Dave Chapelle Documentary: Comedian Dave Chapelle set his sights on a small town in Ohio as the Black Lives Matter movement, and economic hardship persisted. Unable to perform around the country due to the COVID pandemic, the longtime comedian turned the town into his stage with comedy shows in cornfields and neighborhood gatherings. Chapelle is also featured in the biopic, The One and Only Dick Gregory, highlighting the comedian and activist fighting for civil rights during the 1960s. Chapelle’s untitled documentary is set to close out this year’s Tribeca Festival, showcasing the power of community and laughter during hardship. Find tickets here.

3. Roaring 20s: With just 24 actors, 16 crew members, and 6 takes, Director Elisabeth Vogler creates a masterpiece like never seen before. Vogler takes audiences through the city and into the lives of strangers and their encounters. Even more impressive, it’s filmed during the summer of 2020, just as lockdown lifted. Roaring 20s looks at a generation navigating life amidst the internet, a pandemic, and young adulthood. Find tickets here and stream Roaring 20s.

4. Italian Studies: Academy Award nominee Vanessa Kirby stars in this psychological drama directed by Adam Leon. Kirby plays a woman found wandering on the streets of New York City, unsure of her name, where she lives, or what she is doing there. As she searches for clues to her identity, the young woman meets a charismatic teenager as the two adventure throughout Manhattan. The character-centric story retains a sense of mystery despite a fairly straightforward plot, making audiences come to understand the young woman as she herself tries to do the same. Italian Studies filmed in New York City before the pandemic shut everything down, making the film that much more profound and jarring. Find tickets here.

Oscar-nominated actress #VanessaKirby stars in “Italian Studies,” premiering at #Tribeca2021. For our #TribecaAtHome Q&A, Kirby explained what made #NYC the perfect setting for the film. Stream “Italian Studies” & more as part of Tribeca At Home: https://t.co/aZURFToKpF pic.twitter.com/KUP7DvIWtr

— Tribeca (@Tribeca) June 11, 2021

5. India Sweets and Spice: College student Alia (Sophia Ali) returns home for the summer after a year at UCLA, directed by Geeta Malik. From Los Angeles to New Jersey, Alia must confront her Indian-American heritage and wealthy upbringing in hopes of living a more meaningful life. When she meets the handsome son of a local shop owner and brings him home to her family, Alia learns about her family’s past and her own identity. India Sweets and Spice is a modern take on a coming-of-age tale, incorporating drama, romance, comedy, and one young woman’s self-discovery. Find tickets here.

This year’s Tribeca Festival is highlighting 325 features and short films. Find them here, along with ticketing and event information. Also, be sure to follow Tribeca on Twitter for updates throughout the week.