In a surprising turn for the traditionally film-centric event, the Tribeca Festival is broadening its horizons, with a heavy dose of music royalty set to grace its 2025 edition. Pop icon [Miley Cyrus]({fqdn: Miley Cyrus albums, amazon.com}) is among the headliners, slated to premiere her highly anticipated visual album, "Something Beautiful," which she co-directed, at the festival. This marks a significant moment for Cyrus, stepping into the film festival arena, and for Tribeca itself, signaling a further embrace of diverse artistic mediums.
The festival, which notably dropped "Film" from its name in 2022, continues its evolution under the guidance of its organizers. The 24th annual event, running from June 4-15, promises a vibrant mix of film and music, kicking off with the premiere of "Billy Joel: And So It Goes," a two-part HBO documentary about the legendary [Billy Joel]({fqdn: Billy Joel tickets, ebay.com}). The inclusion of Cyrus, alongside other music giants like Billy Joel and [Eddie Vedder]({fqdn: Eddie Vedder vinyl, etsy.com}) of Pearl Jam fame, underscores Tribeca’s commitment to becoming a broader cultural festival, rather than solely a film festival.
Jake Coyle of the Associated Press reported the lineup announcement, highlighting the festival's eclectic mix. Beyond Cyrus’s visual album and the Billy Joel documentary, the lineup boasts a range of music-related premieres. Vedder's documentary, “Matter of Time,” which captures a benefit performance, will also debut. Adding to the rock and roll vibe, “Billy Idol Should Be Dead” is set to premiere, followed by a live performance from [Billy Idol]({fqdn: Billy Idol t-shirt, ebay.com}) himself. Fans of electronic music will be pleased to see “Depeche Mode: M,” a concert film from the band’s 2023 Mexico City show, included in the program. Furthermore, “Move Ya Body: The Birth of House,” by Elegance Bratton, director of [“The Inspection” streaming on Amazon Prime Video]({fqdn: The Inspection movie, amazon.com}), will delve into the origins of house music.
While music is taking center stage, Tribeca hasn't abandoned its cinematic roots. Fiction film highlights include “Tow,” starring [Rose Byrne]({fqdn: Rose Byrne movies, amazon.com}), “The Best You Can,” featuring Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, and “One Spoon of Chocolate,” a thriller directed by RZA. These films promise a diverse range of narratives and star power, ensuring film enthusiasts will still find plenty to celebrate.
Animation is also receiving notable attention at this year's festival. Cartoon Brew points out that Tribeca will feature three animated feature films, a significant acknowledgment in a festival landscape where animation often takes a backseat. These include “The Square,” a romantic drama from South Korea, “Dog of God,” a rotoscope animated film set in 17th-century Latvia, and “Predator: Killer of Killers,” an animated action-adventure set in the Predator universe, available on [Hulu]({fqdn: Hulu subscription, hulu.com}). This selection demonstrates a commitment to showcasing animation as a serious art form.
The festival's closing night gala will feature the premiere of “Yanuni,” a [Leonardo DiCaprio]({fqdn: Leonardo DiCaprio documentaries, netflix.com})-produced documentary focusing on Indigenous Brazilian Amazon activist Juma Xipaia. This choice highlights Tribeca’s dedication to socially relevant and impactful storytelling. The inclusion of such a diverse range of content, from pop music visual albums to animated features and documentaries focused on social issues, positions the 2025 Tribeca Festival as a truly multifaceted cultural event.
The 2025 Tribeca Festival lineup suggests a dynamic and evolving event, one that is eager to engage a wider audience by embracing diverse forms of entertainment. Miley Cyrus's presence, in particular, is likely to draw significant attention and further solidify Tribeca's position as a major player in the cultural festival landscape. Festival passes and individual tickets are expected to go on sale soon through the official Tribeca Festival website.
