06/05/2026
2026 Tribeca Film Festival kicks off with world premiere of HBO’s Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World).
Live performance with Earth, Wind & Fire and The Roots followed.
The 2026 Tribeca Festival kicked off its 25th anniversary edition at the Beacon Theatre with the world premiere of HBO’s Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World), a celebratory documentary exploring the group’s out-of-this-world music, visuals, metaphysics, and joy.
The film’s director, Grammy- and Academy Award-winning Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, was joined by Earth, Wind & Fire members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson, along with The Roots members Ray Angry and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, as well as musicians Flavor Flav, Chuck D, Jimmy Jam, and H.E.R.
Prior to the screening, Tribeca Festival co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal welcomed attendees to the opening of the 25th edition, reflecting on the festival’s beginnings and its evolution over the past 25 years.
Following the premiere, audiences were treated to an electrifying live performance by Earth, Wind & Fire and The Roots, kicking off the festival with an unforgettable evening of film and music that showcased the legendary band’s enduring cultural impact.
Questlove The Roots Earth, Wind & Fire
