The Tribeca Festival returns for its 25th anniversary in 2026 with an expansive, cross-disciplinary lineup that underscores its legacy as one of New York’s most influential cultural institutions. Running June 3–14 across New York City, this milestone edition brings together music legends, film icons, and emerging storytellers through a series of premieres, retrospectives, reunions, and live conversations.
Founded in 2001 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in the wake of 9/11, the festival was created to help revitalize Lower Manhattan while celebrating the power of storytelling. Twenty-five years later, that mission remains intact — balancing legacy-defining artists with new creative voices shaping the future.
Springsteen, Bono Lead Landmark Tribute to Activism in Music
A centerpiece of this year’s programming is the presentation of the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award to Bruce Springsteen. The honor recognizes artists who use their influence to advance social justice, echoing the legacy of Harry Belafonte, whose activism bridged music, film, and the civil rights movement.
Springsteen’s recognition will be marked by a rare and intimate onstage conversation with Bono, a longtime friend and fellow activist. The evening will also include tributes from De Niro and Patti Smith, creating a powerful convergence of artists whose work has long intersected with political and cultural change.
The event stands as a defining moment for the festival’s anniversary, emphasizing music’s enduring role as a force for activism and unity.
Katy Perry Premiere Brings Arena Pop Spectacle to Tribeca
Music takes center stage elsewhere in the lineup with the world premiere of Katy Perry’s The Lifetimes Tour – Live in Paris. The film captures Perry’s large-scale, visually immersive concert experience, blending high-energy performances with behind-the-scenes intimacy.
Following the screening, Perry will appear for a live conversation, offering insight into the creative process behind one of pop’s most elaborate touring productions. The premiere continues Tribeca’s growing embrace of concert films and music-centered storytelling.
A Look Back: Celebrating Film and Music Milestones
Tribeca’s anniversary programming leans heavily into retrospectives that resonate across generations, many of which intersect directly with music culture.
The 50th anniversary of Taxi Driver will feature a screening followed by a conversation between De Niro and director Martin Scorsese. The film’s enduring influence — both cinematically and culturally — remains a touchstone of New York storytelling.
Meanwhile, Bridget Jones’s Diary celebrates its 25th anniversary with a post-screening discussion featuring Renée Zellweger and director Sharon Maguire, revisiting a romantic comedy that helped define early-2000s pop culture.
Electronic music history will be honored with a 20th anniversary screening of Daft Punk’s Electroma, followed by a conversation with Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk. The avant-garde film, like the duo’s music, continues to influence visual and sonic aesthetics across genres.
Additional retrospectives include the 30th anniversary of Bound, featuring Lilly Wachowski alongside stars Gina Gershon and Joe Pantoliano, and the 20th anniversary of Small Town Gay Bar, a documentary highlighting LGBTQ+ communities in the American South.
Storytellers Series Bridges Music, Film, and Culture
Tribeca’s Storytellers Series once again delivers a wide-ranging lineup of conversations that cut across industries, with several key figures from the music world taking part.
Among them is Finneas, the multi-Grammy and Academy Award-winning songwriter and producer known for his work with Billie Eilish and his own solo projects. He will appear in conversation with composer Anthony Willis, exploring the intersection of pop music and film scoring.
Este Haim, best known as a member of HAIM, will also share insights from her career spanning performance and composition, including her work scoring films and television.
The series extends beyond music, featuring conversations with Sean Penn, Paul Rudd, Keke Palmer in discussion with Whoopi Goldberg, and Dwyane Wade, highlighting the broader cultural conversations that define Tribeca.
New Films and Music-Driven Storytelling
Beyond high-profile premieres, the festival will debut a range of new projects, including Humpty Dumpty X, a documentary from director Tony Kaye exploring artistic conflict and creative identity, and The Best Summer, a music-driven documentary capturing a 1995 tour featuring acts like Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, Foo Fighters, and Beck.
Tribeca Studios will also present short film premieres through initiatives like Vital Stories and Fueled By The Future, supporting emerging filmmakers and innovative storytelling approaches—including collaborations tied to new technologies.
As Tribeca enters its 25th year, the 2026 edition reflects both its history and its evolution. From honoring icons like Springsteen and Patti Smith to platforming contemporary artists and filmmakers, the festival continues to position itself at the intersection of music, film, and cultural dialogue.
“This milestone Festival honors the artists who have defined our cultural landscape while creating space for the next generation of storytellers,” Rosenthal said in the announcement.
With a lineup that spans generations, genres, and disciplines, the 2026 Tribeca Festival reinforces its role not just as a film festival, but as a cultural gathering point where music and storytelling remain deeply intertwined.
Single tickets are on sale now at their website here.
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