Opening night always sets the tone for any major film festival and for the anniversary of the Tribeca Festival, the HBO Original Documentary “Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World)” will serve as their opening piece.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the doc explores Earth, Wind & Fire, the band known for blending funk, soul, and jazz.
Formed in Chicago in 1969 by Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire were part of the opening night celebrations in 2017. Their biggest hits include disco-pop classics “September” and “Boogie Wonderland” “Let’s Groove,” “Reasons,” and “Fantasy”.
Following the premiere, members of the group will take the stage alongside Questlove’s group The Roots for a live performance.
Tribeca’s history is rich with legendary music moments as David Bowie, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Nas, Herbie Hancock, The Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Hudson and Wizkid have graced the Festival stage and screen.
“It is an absolute honor to bring this project to the Tribeca Festival,” said Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, whose directorial debut, the 2021 documentary “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” earned him his first Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.“The past two years of deep research and creative magic surrounding Earth, Wind & Fire have been nothing short of transformative. They remain one of the most culturally significant bands in history, and this project finally illustrates exactly why their legacy is so vital.”
“Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World)” examines the band’s lasting legacy, cultural influence, and body of work, with rare access to archival materials and a focus on the vision of founder Maurice White.
The doc will debut in the United States on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max in 2026.
2026 Festival Passes Available at TribecaFilm.com; Single Tickets on Sale on April 28
