The 25th anniversary of the Tribeca Festival is kicking off with a major celebration of music, legacy, and cultural history.
The festival announced that its 2026 Opening Night selection will be the world premiere of the HBO original documentary Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World), directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. The premiere will take place on June 3 at New York’s Beacon Theatre, followed by a live performance from legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire alongside The Roots.
It’s a fitting full-circle moment for both the festival and the iconic group—Earth, Wind & Fire previously helped launch a Tribeca Opening Night celebration in 2017, and now return to help usher in its milestone 25th edition.
A Documentary Rooted in Legacy and Vision
The HBO documentary explores the enduring legacy, cultural impact, and expansive musical catalog of Earth, Wind & Fire, with a particular focus on the vision of founder Maurice White. Through rare archival footage and intimate storytelling, the film traces how the band reshaped the sound of R&B, funk, jazz, and pop—while also becoming one of the most influential groups in music history.
Produced by Questlove alongside Dave Sirulnick, Samantha Grogin, KB White, and Arron Saxe, the project also features executive production from Jon Kamen, Cheo Hodari Coker, Shawn Gee, and others across music and film.
For Questlove—who previously won an Oscar for Summer of Soul—this project continues his deep exploration of Black music history and cultural memory.
“The past two years of deep research and creative magic surrounding Earth, Wind & Fire have been nothing short of transformative,” Questlove said in a statement. “They remain one of the most culturally significant bands in history, and this project finally illustrates exactly why their legacy is so vital.”
A Night That Bridges Film and Music History
This year’s Opening Night continues that tradition—but amplifies it. After the premiere screening, Earth, Wind & Fire will take the stage with The Roots for a live performance, merging generations of musical excellence in one of New York’s most iconic venues.
The film itself also situates the band within a broader cultural lineage, spotlighting how their sound and philosophy helped shape everything from modern R&B to global pop production aesthetics.
Across decades, Earth, Wind & Fire’s catalog has remained a touchstone for joy, futurism, and sonic innovation—making them an especially resonant choice for a festival that celebrates storytelling across film, television, music, and immersive media.
The Bigger Picture
The 2026 edition of the Tribeca Festival will run from June 3–14 in New York City, with the full lineup still to be announced. But the Opening Night selection already sets a clear tone: this year is about legacy, community, and the power of artistic collaboration across generations.
And with Questlove at the helm, Earth, Wind & Fire at the center, and a live performance bridging it all together, Tribeca’s 25th anniversary is starting with something that feels less like a premiere—and more like a cultural moment.