Christopher Stein, director Rob Roth, Debbie Harry and Clem Burke attend the “Tribeca Talks: "Blondie" event during the 2021 Tribeca Festival at Spring Studios on June 15, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)

Today, the Tribeca Festival, presented by AT&T, featured standout discussions, celebrity appearances, powerful world premieres across documentaries, features, and shorts, and an unforgettable fireworks show over Memorial Park. Here are some of the highlights:

The Battery saw the world premiere of Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James. In attendance for photos were: Emmy-nominated director/writer Sacha Jenkins, writer/producer Steve Rivo, producer/editor Jason Pollard, and executive producers, Mass Appeal CEO Peter Bittenbender, Douglas Banker, and Rick’s daughter, Ty James. The film, screening as part of Tribeca’s Juneteenth programming, is the definitive portrait of the legendary funk/R&B icon, set to a soundtrack that compels you to get out of your seat from the opening moments. The film was paused mid-way through due to New York State’s fireworks display in New York Harbor, which celebrated essential workers as the state reaches a 70% vaccination rate and lifts most COVID restrictions. The audience gave hearty rounds of applause when the fireworks and the reason behind them were announced, as well as after the spectacular light show’s grand finale, before the film continued on. 

On the rooftop of Spring Studios, Jason Hirschhorn, Chief Executive Officer of the REDEF Group, a digital content curation company focused on media, music, technology, fashion and sports, joined film and television director and producer Doug Liman for a Tribeca Talk where they look back at what sparked his career, the backstory of Bourne Identity, and take a deep dive into his incredibly successful career. Liman reflects on how he got started in filmmaking noting, “What lit my fire was that my father’s client gave me a projector and a Super 8 sound recorder. I instantly started geeking out on technology and started recording. I started making films at the age of 6.”

Founding members Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and Clem Burke of the legendary rock band Blondie join New York City artist and director Rob Roth for a wildly entertaining Storytellers conversation where they discuss their chart-topping success and fearless spirit, which led to induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Speaking about Jean-Michel Basquiat, the band recalls “He was a good kisser!” and “He smoked a lot of pot.” Clem and Chris reflect back on their favorite Andy Warhol memories, saying they loved “shooting guns in Andy’s factory. No joke. We miss that factory.” The group also discusses the constant changes happening in New York City. Chris humorously makes a comment saying “Today, there’s not enough of a distinct group of weirdos.” 

Nana Mensah made her directorial debut at Pier 76 with the feature film Queen of Glory. Also in attendance were stars Meeto Gattuso, Adam Leon, Oberon KA Adjepong, and producers Kelley Robbins Hick, and Jamund Washington. Academy Award-Winning Actress Lupita Nyong'o attended to express her support of the film. 

Cast members Daniel Eric Gold, Anna Camp, Monique Coleman, and Katie Beth West were all in attendance for GraceLand’s premiere, along with producer Stephen Moffatt, filmmaker Bonnie Discepolo, and co-writer Trvor Munson. 

Six Nights’ writer, director and editor Robert Brogden, producers Izrael Lopez and Kelley Zincone, crew members Dylan Krause, Emmy Platt, Troy Pierce and Madison Ziegler, along with composer Alex Preston were all in attendance for its premiere. 

Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road had its world premiere at The Battery, with director/writer/producer Brent Wilson (no relation) and writer Jason Fine on hand for photos. The documentary is a first-hand, intimate look into the legendary musician’s storied life and career that includes the new song “Right Where I Belong,” recorded specifically for this film. 

At the world premiere of Ultra Sound, actress Rainey Qualley attended wearing a stylish khaki blazer. Producer Rob Schroeder posed with his son, Henry. In the second half of the film, New York celebrated its reopening and 70% of the city being vaccinated with fireworks over Memorial Park. 

At Hudson Yards, the cast and crew of Building A Bridge posed for the photocall, including directors Shannon Post and Evan Mascagni, real life subjects Father James Martin, Jason Steidl, Marianne Palacios, executive producers James O’Donnell, Brian Hull and Laura Hull, Mark McDermott, editors Michal Labik, Ellen Knechel, composers Teddy Abrams and Nate Farrington, cinematographer Nick Capezzera, and Sister Jeannine Gramick. 

During the lively photocall for I Carry You With Me, director Heidi Ewing shared a touching moment when she facetimed with Norman Lear - and he answered! Subject Ivan Garcia and Gerardo Zabaleta, producer Mynette Louie, actor Michelle Gonzalez, producer Brent Miller, Sony Classics President Michael Barker, Sony Classics President Tom Bernard and Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Tony Vinciquerra were also in attendance at the premiere.

At the Brooklyn Commons at MetroTech, the Pursuing Happiness shorts program debuted, which focuses on navigating life’s ups and downs. Shorts include GraceLand, Six Nights, Magnolia Bloom, Enjoy, We Do This Once, and The Angler. 

Ahead of the screening of Magnolia Bloom director Tayo Amos, producer Julia Dillard, writer and producer Matt Mitchell and costume designer Halei Parker all made an appearance for a photo call.

We Do This Once premiere was joined by Filmmaker Michael Marants, Producer Zach MacDonald, Cinematographer Tim Sessler and cast member Athena Reddy and Lance Daniels.

At the premiere of The Angler, Director David Darg and cast members Emily Beth Beacham, Matt Beacham and Derek Curran celebrated their debut with fun group snapshots during photocall.

We Need To Do Something also premiered at the Brooklyn Commons at MetroTech with the full cast and crew including Director Sean King O’Grady, Writer and Producer Max Booth III, Producers Peter Block, Bill Stertz, Josh Malerman, John Hants,  Lauren Hants and Ryan Lewis.  Castmates in attendance included Sierra McCormick, Vinessa Shaw, Pat Healy, John James Cronin and Lisette Alexis.

Cast and crew were all in attendance for the screening of their shorts as part of the Live and Learn shorts program. These 2020 documentary shorts focus on life lessons past, present and future and included Mr. Somebody, The Box, Float, Betrayal, Crescendo!, and Unnúr.

Following the Reservation Dogs world premiere, executive producer Sterlin Harjo and cast members Devery Jacobs, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Lane Factor, and Paulina Alexis joined journalist Shea Vassar for a post-screening conversation about the comedy, which follows the exploits of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma. 

The environmental documentary Reflection: A Walk with Water made its world premiere and the 2020 feature selection Giants Being Lonely also debuted for North America.