Questlove to Open 25th Tribeca Festival with Earth, Wind & Fire Documentary

The 25th anniversary of the Tribeca Festival is set to begin with a high-energy tribute to one of the most influential groups in music history. Oscar winner Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson will kick off the annual New York City event on June 3 with the world premiere of his latest documentary, Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World).

Coming off his 2025 documentary on Sly Stone and the success of Summer of Soul, Questlove continues his streak of capturing musical legacies. This new project examines the lasting cultural influence and body of work of Earth, Wind & Fire, with a specific focus on the vision of the band’s founder, Maurice White.

A Celebration of Sound: From the Screen to the Stage

The opening night festivities extend beyond the cinema. Following the screening, the iconic R&B band will perform live at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan. They’ll be joined by Questlove’s own group, The Roots, ensuring that the festival’s 25th anniversary begins with a powerful live musical experience.

Jane Rosenthal, co-founder and co-chair of the Tribeca Festival, described the opening night as a “magical moment,” noting that the milestone anniversary makes this particular premiere especially meaningful.

Uncovering the Legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire

The documentary utilizes rare access to archival materials to tell the story of a band that redefined the R&B-pop landscape. Earth, Wind & Fire debuted in the early 1970s, quickly establishing themselves with several charting albums and two Top 10 R&B hits.

The group achieved massive mainstream success in 1975 with the funky No. 1 pop hit “Shining Star.” This victory paved the way for a dominant era in music, including:

• Seven Top 10 hits, including the chart-topping “Sing a Song” and timeless classics like “September” and “After the Love Has Gone.”
• Six consecutive Top 10 LPs released between 1975 and 1981.

Production and Distribution

The film is a collaborative effort produced by Questlove, Dave Sirulnick, Samantha Grogin, KB White, and Arron Saxe. The executive production team includes Jon Kamen, Cheo Hodari Coker, Karla Zambrano, Zarah Zohlman, Shawn Gee, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, and Amos Newman.

For those unable to attend the Tribeca Festival premiere, the documentary will produce its United States debut on HBO and will be available for streaming on HBO Max in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the 2026 Tribeca Festival begin?

The festival kicks off on June 3, 2026, with the opening-night film premiere.

Who is directing the Earth, Wind & Fire documentary?

The film is directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, who previously directed the Oscar-winning Summer of Soul and a 2025 documentary on Sly Stone.

Where can I stream the documentary?

The film will be available to stream on HBO Max in 2026 following its debut on HBO.