The Tribeca Film Festival 2025 | Here's What I'll Be Seeing

Music Docs and Stylish Films Are Abound At the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival This Year

We're back for another festival and one of my favorites to attend, Tribeca 2025, and ready to dive into more of the most exciting films of the year.

Buuuut before we get into what’s new at Tribeca this year, we’re marking a full-circle moment.

Our very first episode of Look Behind the Look was a deep dive into the film Casino and the incredible work of makeup artist Tricia Sawyer. So when we saw that Casino was getting a 30th anniversary screening here at Tribeca, we knew we had to honor it.

We’ll be releasing a special bite-sized episode to revisit the film, the looks, and the legacy that helped kick off this whole podcast.

As for the rest of the festival, from narrative debuts to genre-bending documentaries, these are the stories we're most looking forward to covering this week.

The main narrative feature that I’m dying to see is The Trainer Directed by Tony Kaye. Tony Kaye, best known for American History X, returns with The Trainer—a wild, satirical story that follows a struggling fitness trainer in LA trying to break into high society. The cast is stacked: Julia Fox, Taylour Paige, Bella Thorne, Paris Hilton, and even Lenny Kravitz. It’s supposed to be chaotic, surreal, and sounds like a sharp critique of fame, image, and ambition.

As for documentaries, the list could go on forever. This year, there are SO many incredible docs to be seen, here are my top picks -

My Mom Jayne Directed by Mariska Hargitay
And of course, the one I know so many of us are waiting for, especially after the big Cannes reveal, is Mariska Hargitay’s, My Mom Jayne. She tells the story of her mother, Jayne Mansfield, Hollywood icon, sex symbol, and the deeply complex woman she was. It’s an intimate film about legacy, loss, and reclaiming the narrative around a star who was often reduced to her image.

Depeche Mode: M Directed by Fernando FriasIn Depeche Mode: M, director Fernando Frias goes on tour with the iconic band and their fans. It’s part road movie, part reflection on grief, devotion, and legacy. Shot across Europe and Mexico with an atmospheric, intimate eye. Whether you're a longtime fan or just music-curious, this one promises something deeper than the usual tour doc.

Boy George & Culture Club Directed by Alison EllwoodBoy George was never just a pop star—he was a cultural shift. This new film tracks the rise, fallout, and reunion of Culture Club, bringing a new perspective to a band that broke barriers in race, gender, and identity. Director Alison Ellwood dives into the drama and the beauty of a band that helped define a decade.

It’s Dorothy! Directed by Jeffrey McHaleJeffrey McHale unpacks how the character of Dorothy became a symbol for generations of queer people—across decades of cinema, music, and popular culture far beyond The Wizard of Oz. I’m super excited to see his layered take on the phenomenon and how stories evolve and take on new meaning.

We Are Pat Directed by Rowan Haber
Rowan Haber’s We Are Pat looks at one of the most controversial Saturday Night Live characters, Pat, and reexamines what that character meant through a modern lens. The film explores the intersection of humor and discomfort with gender identity and public perception, raising questions about how far we’ve come and what still needs to change.

Billy Idol Should Be Dead Directed by Jonas Åkerlund
In Billy Idol Should Be Dead, director Jonas Åkerlund blends live footage, interviews, and animation to tell the story of a rock star who outlived the odds—and the expectations. It’s said to be a loud, fast, and deeply personal look into what it costs to stay relevant in a world that eats its icons alive.

Dear Ms: A Revolution in Print Directed by Cecilia Aldarondo, Alice Gu, and Salima Koroma
Dear Ms, brings us into the story of Ms. Magazine and the women behind it. More than a history lesson, the film connects the dots between print media, political activism, and cultural visibility - an inside look at how design and editorial choices shaped an entire movement and why they still matter.

Move Ya Body: The Birth of House Directed by Elegance Bratton
Move Ya Body explores the early days of house music and the Black, brown, and queer pioneers who created it. This doc highlights not just the music, but the cultural power and politics behind the movement. It’s a film about freedom, identity, and the spaces people built to survive and thrive.

From music legends to cultural revolutions to personal legacies—Tribeca 2025 is bringing big stories with style and substance. I cannot wait to see all of these exciting films and share more with you throughout the week. If any lookers are planning to attend, please let me know! I would love to see you and hear what you’re excited to catch during the festival. Make sure to follow along for our on-the-ground updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and all the details you won't find in the press notes.