May 5th, 2026

Press Materials Available Here

2026 TRIBECA FESTIVAL UNVEILS EXPANDED INDUSTRY PROGRAMMING, REINFORCING ROLE AS YEAR-ROUND ENGINE FOR STORYTELLERS

Storytelling Summit, 10th Annual Creators Market, and Works in Progress Showcase Offer End-to-End Support Across Development, Financing, Production, and Distribution

Storytelling Summit Will Feature Conversations With Rebecca Miller and Josh Safdie, Zach Woods, Zach Braff, Myha’la, Lily Rabe & Hamish Linklater, Plus Live Podcast Recordings of IndieWire’s Screen Talk with Special Guest Ronan Farrow and Entertainment Weekly’s The Awardist

Creators Market Announces 40 Projects Across Film, Series, and Audio Highlighting Award-Winning Talent, Tribeca Alumni, and the Next Wave of Storytelling

Storytelling Summit passes are available now at TribecaFilm.com, offering affordable access to the Festival’s dedicated hub for industry programming, events, and networking opportunities

New York, NY – May 5, 2026 – The 25th Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, today announced its full slate of industry-focused programming, reinforcing the Festival’s role as a comprehensive platform for storytellers at every stage of their work—not just premiere.

Spanning the Storytelling Summit, the 10th annual Creators Market, and Works in Progress Showcase, this year’s industry offerings bring together filmmakers, creators, financiers, distributors, and executives for programming designed to develop projects, build careers, and shape the future of storytelling across film, television, audio, and emerging media.

At a moment of rapid transformation across the media and entertainment landscape, Tribeca continues to invest in the creative ecosystem, offering not only a stage for finished work, but a pipeline for projects in progress and a forum for the ideas, relationships, and strategies that move them forward. Storytelling Summit passes are available now at TribecaFilm.com, offering affordable access to the Festival’s dedicated hub for industry programming, events, and networking opportunities.

The Tribeca Storytelling Summit, hosted at Spring Studios from June 4-13, anchors the Festival’s industry program as an accessible cross-disciplinary gathering for anyone looking to engage with the industry—whether emerging creators, established filmmakers, or curious audiences seeking a deeper understanding of the craft and business behind the work. Designed as a low-cost, high-value entry point into the Festival’s professional community, the Summit offers open access to conversations, networking opportunities, and a dedicated on-site lounge, creating space for connection, collaboration, and discovery within the heart of the Festival. Through conversations, case studies, and live events, the Summit delivers practical insight into the realities of making and sustaining creative work today.

“At its core, the Storytelling Summit is about expanding access and creating a space where creators at every stage can connect directly with industry leaders, gain practical insight, and build relationships that truly move careers forward,” said Shayna Weingast, Tribeca Festival Programmer. “This year’s program brings together an incredible range of voices—from visionary filmmakers and showrunners to innovators across distribution, AI, and emerging platforms—offering an inside look at how storytelling is evolving in real time.”

The Summit’s Luminaries series features leading voices including Rebecca Miller and Josh Safdie, Zach Woods, Zach Braff, Myha’la, Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater, Philip Barantini, Ron Perlman and Willie Morris, Dan Houser, Michael Sarnoski, and Ted Hope, offering firsthand perspective on navigating careers across independent and studio systems, evolving between mediums, and sustaining creative authorship.

The Summit’s Creativity Unbound track centers on the art and craft of storytelling, with in-depth sessions on casting, writing across different mediums, from late night, to animation, and situational comedy. Featured participants include Award–winning casting directors Ellen Lewis and Ellen Chenoweth, alongside longtime Late Night with Seth Meyers writers Amber Ruffin, Alex Baze, and Sal Gentile. The track also brings together comedy writers and showrunners Dan Goor and Tracey Wigfield—the creative forces behind Brooklyn Nine-Nine and 30 Rock—to unpack the decisions that shape performance, tone, and voice. Rounding out the program are K-Pop Demon Hunters co-writers Danya Jimenez and Hannah McMechan, and the showrunner and creator of the recent Netflix hit series Something Very Bad is Going to Happen, Haley Z Boston.

The Inside the Industry track tackles the mechanics of the business—from financing and distribution to exhibition and short-form storytelling—with speakers including Tim League (Founder, Alamo Drafthouse; Founder and CEO, Metro Cinema), Tabitha Jackson (Director, Film Forum), John Vanco (Head of Theatrical Programming, Netflix), Adam Goldman (Founder & Executive Director, The Necessary Foundation), Bill Guentzler (Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Obscured Releasing), Rob Williams (President, Sumerian Pictures), Munir Atalla (Head of Production & Acquisitions, Watermelon Pictures), Paul Moakley (Executive Producer, The New Yorker), Katya Ochagavia (Executive Producer, The Guardian), Alexandra Garcia (Executive Producer, The New York Times Op-Docs), John Gibson (VP, Public Affairs & Industry Relations, Motion Picture Association), Commissioner Rafael Espinal (Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment), and an AMPAS-led panel on the Academy’s artist development programs. Together, these sessions offer fresh perspectives on the most pressing topics shaping the industry today.

Looking ahead, the Summit’s Next Wave track explores the expanding landscape of storytelling across emerging platforms and technologies, with sessions focused on AI, content creation, and immersive media. Participants include Bryn Mooser (Co-Founder & CEO, Asteria Film Co.), Cristóbal Valenzuela (Founder & CEO, Runway), and Ben Grossmann (Emmy- and Oscar-winning Visual Effects Supervisor; Co-Founder & CEO, Magnopus), offering insight into how new tools and formats are reshaping how stories are created, distributed, and experienced. Additional participants include Kareem Rahma (Creator, Subway Takes, Keep the Meter Running; Co-Writer & Actor, Or Something), Max Reisinger (CEO & Co-Founder, Creator Camp), Joana Vicente (Co-Founder & CEO, Open Cities), and Jason Kliot (Co-Founder & President, Open Cities).

A lineup of Special Events further expands access to the industry conversation, including live podcast recordings of IndieWire’s Screen Talk with Anne Thompson and Ryan Lattanzio featuring a special live-from-Tribeca episode with guest Ronan Farrow, who will be screening works at the 2026 Festival, as well as Entertainment Weekly’s The Awardist with Gerrad Hall. The Summit is also hosting a special screening of The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld followed by a conversation with legendary producers Jack Lechner, Myette Louie, Mark Johnson, Frida Torresblanco and Joan Bofill (Director & Producer, The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld).

Beyond conversation, Tribeca’s industry programming is built to actively advance projects and create tangible opportunities for creators. The Tribeca Creators Market, now in its 10th year, is an invitation-only marketplace connecting selected filmmakers with leading studios, financiers, and production companies. This year’s Market features 40 projects across narrative, documentary, episodic, and audio, reflecting a cross-platform approach to storytelling and development.

Projects span short-to-feature expansions, audio adaptations, indie television, and work from Tribeca’s NOW program, highlighting how stories evolve across formats and platforms. Participants represent a mix of emerging voices and established creators, including Tribeca alumni returning with new work.

“We started the Creators Market back in 2016 in an effort to recognize and support online creators, and over the past 10 years, it has been an honor to welcome storytellers across disciplines and watch the program evolve into a true launching pad for feature films, episodic series, and audio storytelling,” said Tribeca Festival Senior Programmer Liza Domnitz.

The Market opens with the Works in Progress Showcase, spotlighting films in late-stage production and post-production—providing a critical moment for visibility, feedback, and momentum. Participants then engage in curated one-on-one meetings with industry leaders including Sony Pictures Classics, HBO, Cinetic Media, National Geographic, Slow Pony, and more—facilitating direct pathways to financing, completion, and distribution.

Tribeca's investment in projects at this stage has led to meaningful, measurable impact. Recent Works in Progress alumni include: 2024 participant Esta Isla (This Island), which went on to win the Best New Narrative Director Award at the 2025 Tribeca Festival and the John Cassavetes Award at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards; Are We Good?, the 2025 Marc Maron feature documentary; and The Price of Milk, a docuseries released in 2025. Other esteemed alumni include 2022 Works in Progress participants The Gullspång Miracle, winner of Best Documentary Editing at the 2023 Tribeca Festival; and Off Fairfax, a 2022 Tribeca Indie TV selection, now in development at Amazon MGM Studios.

This year’s Works in Progress participants continue that trajectory, with filmmakers including Pacho Velez (The Reagan Show, Searchers); Shaina Feinberg (co-author of The New York Times column SCRATCH); Sofian Khan (Emmy®-nominated The Interpreters); and CJ Hunt (The Neutral Ground, former The Daily Show correspondent). Additional participants include international filmmakers garnering attention and recognition for their latest projects, such as Toronto-based filmmaker Serville Poblete, Scottish-Algerian documentarian Carina NicHaouchine, and Brazilian filmmaking team Juliana Antunes and Camila Matos.

“As the industry continues to evolve, Tribeca remains focused on supporting storytellers not just at the moment of their films’ festival launch, but throughout the lifespan of their projects,” said Jose F. Rodriguez, Senior Film Programmer. “Our Works in Progress section reflects a dynamic global community of artists that are crafting bold and form-pushing works - and are resiliently undertaking new ways to develop, finance, and share their works with audiences.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Tribeca Creators Market has supported more than 250 storytellers since its launch in 2016, with alumni going on to premiere films, launch series, and secure major development deals across the industry. Alumni include Britt Lower (2020), Joe Penna (2016), Zackary Canepari (2018), Alex Goyette (2019), Steve Zahn and Rick Gomez (2021), Caleb Hearon (2020), Tallie Medel (2024), Rel Battle (2022), Alessandra Lacorazza (2021) and Daniel Tantalean (2021, 2024), Jenn Harris and Matthew Wilkes (2017), illustrating the breadth of talent and the program’s continued impact across film, television, and digital media. This year’s cohort reflects that ongoing commitment, bringing together returning alumni and first-time participants in a program designed not just to discover talent, but to sustain creative careers over time.

Together, the Storytelling Summit, Creators Market, and Works in Progress Showcase position the Tribeca Festival as more than an exhibition platform. They reinforce its role as a convening space, development engine, and launchpad for the next generation of storytelling, where ideas are refined, partnerships are formed, and projects move from concept to audience.

The full 2026 Tribeca Festival Storytelling Summit and Creators Market lineups, as well as the 2026 Works In Progress cohort, are detailed below.

To learn more about the Tribeca Festival programming team, visit TribecaFilm.com. For updates, follow @Tribeca and #Tribeca2026 on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Festival passes and ticket packages are now available at TribecaFilm.com.

ABOUT THE TRIBECA FESTIVAL

The Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, brings artists and audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, music, podcasts, games, and immersive. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is synonymous with creative expression and entertainment. Tribeca champions emerging and established voices, discovers award-winning talent, curates innovative experiences, and introduces new ideas through exclusive premieres, exhibitions, conversations, and live performances. The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. The annual Tribeca Festival will celebrate its 25th year from June 3–14, 2026 in New York City. In 2019, James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems bought a majority stake in Tribeca Enterprises, bringing together Rosenthal, De Niro, and Murdoch to grow the enterprise.

2026 TRIBECA FESTIVAL PARTNERS

The 2026 Tribeca Festival is presented by OKX and with the support of our partners: 8am, 10 Lives Studios, AT&T, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, CHANEL, City National Bank, DIRECTV, Don Julio Tequila, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, NBC4 and Telemundo 47, NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, National CineMedia, Spring Studios New York, The Wall Street Journal, Variety, and Vulture.

PRESS CONTACTS

Tribeca Storytelling Summit + Creators Market: Jami O’Leary | joleary@tribecafilm.com

PMK: tribeca2026@pmkentertainment.com

2026 STORYTELLING SUMMIT PROGRAMMING

LUMINARIES

Luminaries: Lily Rabe & Hamish Linklater - Thursday, June 4

Creative partnerships are rarely linear, and for Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater, collaboration has been as much about instinct and serendipity as intention. In this conversation, they reflect on the evolution of their work together—from being repeatedly cast opposite one another to actively creating projects built around their shared sensibility—offering insight into a process that is at once deeply collaborative and distinctly individual.

Luminaries: Myha’la - Friday, June 5

From her breakout role as Harper Stern in HBO/BBC’s Industry to a dynamic run across film and television, Myha’la has quickly emerged as one of the most compelling actors of her generation. In this conversation, she reflects on her rapid rise, navigating complex, high-intensity roles, and building a career across projects like Leave the World Behind, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Dead Man’s Wire and They Will Kill You. With Industry heading into its final season, Myha’la offers insight into the choices and creative instincts shaping her next chapter.

Luminaries: Zach Woods – Saturday, June 6

From Silicon Valley and The Office to his recent turn in A24’s How to Make a Killing, Zach Woods has built a career defined by sharp intelligence, emotional nuance, and a singular comedic voice. In this wide-ranging conversation, Woods reflects on his evolution across acting, writing, and producing, culminating in his feature directorial debut, The Accompanist—having its world premiere at this year’s Tribeca Festival—marking an exciting new chapter in his creative journey.

Luminaries: Rebecca Miller in Conversation with Josh Safdie – Saturday, June 6

Rebecca Miller—acclaimed filmmaker, author, and one of cinema’s most distinct voices—joins Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme) for a high-energy conversation on craft and process. From The Ballad of Jack and Rose to She Came to Me, and recent acclaimed Apple TV+ docuseries Mr. Scorsese, Miller reflects on a body of work shaped by emotional precision and a deep connection to character. In dialogue with Safdie, she’ll unpack how stories are built from instinct, how tone and tension are calibrated, and how Martin Scorsese’s influence—central to Miller’s portrait and deeply felt in Safdie’s own filmmaking—continues to shape their work.

Luminaries: Philip Barantini – Sunday, June 7

From his early career as an actor to his emergence as a BAFTA-nominated director, Philip Barantini has quickly established himself as one of the most dynamic voices in contemporary British filmmaking. Known for his distinctive use of the “oner”—a long, uninterrupted single-shot take that creates immersive, real-time intensity—he reflects on projects including Boiling Point, Malpractice, and his Emmy Award–winning work on Adolescence. In this conversation, Barantini will discuss his evolution behind the camera and how his signature style shapes performance, tension, and storytelling.

Luminaries: Zach Braff – Wednesday, June 10

From his breakout role on Scrubs to writing, directing, and starring in the beloved indie classic Garden State, Zach Braff has built a career that seamlessly bridges comedy, drama, and deeply personal storytelling. In this candid conversation, Braff reflects on his creative evolution across acting, writing, producing, and directing, alongside his latest project, Clean Hands—having its world premiere at this year’s Tribeca Festival—offering insight into his enduring connection to character-driven, emotionally resonant work.

Luminaries: Michael Sarnoski – Thursday, June 11

From his acclaimed breakout debut Pig to the studio scale of A Quiet Place: Day One, Michael Sarnoski has quickly established himself as a distinctive voice, blending intimate character work with expansive, high-stakes storytelling. In this conversation, he reflects on his evolution as a writer-director and the challenge of maintaining a singular creative vision across projects of vastly different scope. Looking ahead, he’ll also discuss his upcoming projects with A24: The Death of Robin Hood, a dark reimagining of the classic tale starring Hugh Jackman, and Death Stranding, the live-action adaptation of Hideo Kojima’s genre-defying video game.

Luminaries: Ted Hope – Friday, June 12

In this conversation, long-time producer Ted Hope unpacks his NonDē movement—a reimagining of independent filmmaking that challenges traditional industry models and prioritizes sustainability, creative freedom, and direct connection with audiences. Moving beyond the constraints of legacy systems, NonDē advocates for new pathways in financing, production, and distribution that empower filmmakers to retain ownership and build lasting careers. This discussion explores how the future of independent storytelling might be rebuilt from the ground up.

Luminaries: Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures – Saturday, June 13

Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and the creative force behind Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, now leads the storytelling-driven company Absurd Ventures. Since its launch, Absurd has expanded across mediums with projects including the chart-topping audio series A Better Paradise, the bestselling comic American Caper, and new animation and video game worlds in development. In this conversation, Dan Houser and his longtime writing partner Lazlow explore their approach to worldbuilding and the evolution of storytelling beyond video games alongside several of Absurd’s key partners from Dark Horse and more.

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY

How Media Companies Are Shaping Short-Form Storytelling – Thursday, June 4

As audiences increasingly turn to short-form content, leading media organizations are redefining how short films are developed, commissioned, and brought to audiences. This conversation explores how editorial vision, platform strategy, and creative risk-taking shape films that both stand on their own and extend the journalistic and cultural work of their institutions—sparking conversation, influencing discourse, and reaching global audiences.

Featuring: Katya Ochagavia (Executive Producer, The Guardian), Paul Moakley (Executive Producer, The New Yorker), Alexandra Garcia (Executive Producer, The New York Times Op-Docs)

Next Gen: Inside the Development Programs of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – Thursday, June 4

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is dedicated to inspiring young artists and creating opportunities for many communities to engage with the film world. Please join senior leaders from the Academy for a closed information session highlighting the organization's global talent development programs—Gold Rising, the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, the Student Academy Awards, the Gold Fellowship for Women, and more. Presented by The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

From Spark to Structure: Developing Nonfiction That Breaks Through – Friday, June 5

What does it take to get a documentary off the ground, and why do certain ideas ultimately break through? This conversation brings together filmmakers to explore the earliest stages of nonfiction storytelling — from the initial spark through the false starts, pivots, and long evolution that shape a project before it reaches an audience. Featuring Catapult Research Fellowship filmmakers alongside key collaborators, we’ll look at how ideas take hold, what sustains them over time, and how early creative, strategic, and financial support helps move projects deeper into development and financing. Presented by Catapult Film Fund.

Featuring: Tracey Jarrett (Director, Retrieval), Reid Davenport (Director, Life After), Jessica Harrop (Executive Director, Sandbox Films)

Moderated by: Megan Gelstein (Co-Director & Chief Program Officer, Catapult Film Fund)

From Grant to Greenlight: Financing Independent Film Today – Friday, June 5

Independent film financing is evolving rapidly and financing an independent film today means building a smart, flexible mix of grants, private equity, tax incentives, pre-sales, and beyond. This conversation offers a clear-eyed look at the opportunities, challenges, and creative thinking shaping indie film finance right now

Featuring: Adam Goldman (Founder & Executive Director, The Necessary Foundation), Sarah Flores (Co-Founder & Director of Programming, Anarchist United Studios and Foundation), Jon-Sesrie Goff (JustFilms, The Ford Foundation)

Moderated by: Bryce Norbitz (VP, Tribeca Studios & Artist Development)

Fostering the Next Generation of Creative Storytellers – Monday, June 8

How do we create meaningful pathways for the next wave of filmmakers to break through? This conversation brings together leaders across education, exhibition, and community-building to explore how mentorship, access, and alternative platforms are shaping emerging voices. From grassroots programs to global networks, panelists will share how they’re opening doors—and what it takes to sustain a more inclusive, future-facing creative ecosystem.

Featuring: Ché Chisholm (CEO, Ghetto Film School), Omarr Salgado (Chief Branding Officer, The Black Streaming Network), Patrice Francois (Co-Founder & CEO, Imagine This Women's Int Film Festival), Lamonia Brown (Festival Director, Essence Film Festival), Gabriel Alexis (Founder & CEO, Learn Filmmaking Network)

Moderated by: John Gibson (VP, Public Affairs & Industry Relations, Motion Picture Association)

Rethinking Distribution: New Pathways to Audiences – Monday, June 8

As traditional distribution models continue to shift, a new wave of platforms and companies is empowering filmmakers to take control of how their work reaches audiences. This conversation explores innovative, filmmaker-first approaches—from direct-to-audience releases to education-driven platforms—that are redefining ownership, access, and engagement. In a rapidly evolving landscape, panelists will discuss how these models are creating new pathways for independent films to be seen, shared, and sustained.

Featuring: Porschia Adler (Co-Founder, Tasting Menu) Marielle Huey (Consultant, Pijama), Teddy Kunhardt (Executive Director, Kunhardt Film Foundation & Life Stories), Matthew Henderson (Program Director & Producer, Kunhardt Film Foundation)

Made in NY: Filming in New York City – Monday, June 8

Presented by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to shoot in New York City. From navigating logistics and locations to capturing the city’s ever-evolving energy, the discussion dives into the practical realities and creative opportunities of working on the ground in NYC. Whether you’re a filmmaker or a fan, a diverse selection of NYC’s creative voices offer an inside look at how stories come to life on the iconic and bustling city streets. Introduction by Commissioner Rafael Espinal, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

Featuring: Tony Yang (Producer, Rosemead, Bunnylovr), Celine Rattray (Producer, Happy Hours), Dena Ghieth (NYC Locations Manager, Survival of the Thickest, Superfakes) Aaron Hurvitz (Location Manager, West Side Story, The Irishman, Joker & Joker: Folie a Deux)

Moderated by: Teddy Au (UPM/Production Supervisor, And Just Like That…, The Chair Company)

Pitching: Winning over the Room – Wednesday, June 10

You’ve got a strong project and a solid logline—but when it’s time to pitch it out loud, does it actually land? This interactive workshop is designed to turn a flat pitch into one that feels confident, clear, and compelling, breaking down how to communicate story, character, stakes, and tone in the room. Participants will have the opportunity to share short elevator pitches and receive real-time feedback, leaving with practical tools to sharpen their delivery and make their story stick.

Featuring: Shayna Weber (Creative Executive, International Screenwriters' Association), Felicity Wren (VP of Development, International Screenwriters’ Association)

The Next Wave of Independent Film Distributors – Thursday, June 11

As the traditional distribution landscape tightens, a new generation of indie distributors is emerging to fill the gap—bringing fresh strategies, bold curatorial voices, and alternative pathways to audiences. This conversation explores how these companies are navigating a crowded, evolving marketplace by blending financing, production, and distribution while championing films that might otherwise be overlooked. In a moment of disruption and opportunity, we’ll examine how this new wave is reshaping the ecosystem and redefining what it means to bring independent film to market.

Featuring: Bill Guentzler (Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Obscured Releasing), Rob Williams (President, Sumerian Pictures), Munir Atalla (Head of Production & Acquisitions, Watermelon Pictures)

The Art of Exhibition: The Future of Art House Cinemas – Thursday, June 11

As the theatrical landscape continues to evolve, art house cinemas remain vital spaces for discovery, community, and cultural exchange. This conversation explores how independent theaters are adapting—through innovative programming, audience engagement, and new business models—to meet the moment. From preserving the magic of the big screen to reimagining what exhibition can be, this conversation will explore what it means to steward these spaces for the next generation of audiences and filmmakers.

Featuring: Tim League (Founder, Alamo Drafthouse; Founder and CEO, Metro Cinema), Beth Gilligan (Executive Director & CEO, Coolidge Corner Theatre), Tabitha Jackson (Director, Film Forum), John Vanco (Head of Theatrical Programming, Netflix)

Moderated by: Allason Leitz (Founding Director, Art House New York

Micro Content, Mega Impact – Saturday, June 13

An interactive panel discussion and case study on innovative models and partnerships for short film distribution using Level Forward impact campaigns and shorts distribution as case study – including Nazrin Choudhury’s Oscar-nominated Red, White & Blue, the community ownership model of We Ride for Her, and the formation of the forthcoming campaign for the Mother Justice series in partnership with Population Media Center. Presented by Level Forward.

Featuring: Dr. Regina Davis Moss (President & CEO, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda), Praise Odigie Paige (Director, Birdie & Vice President of Creative Studio, Sundial), Prairie Rose Seminole (Culture Bearer & Director, We Ride for Her)

NEXT WAVE

AI and the Future of Filmmaking – Friday, June 5

AI is rapidly transforming the filmmaking process, unlocking powerful new creative possibilities for storytellers. This conversation dives into how artist-driven, ethically trained models and cutting-edge tools are streamlining workflows—from concept to post—while enabling filmmakers to visualize and scale their ideas with unprecedented speed and control. As these technologies evolve, we’ll explore not just what they make possible, but how they’re reshaping the language of storytelling.

Featuring: Bryn Mooser (Co-Founder & CEO, Asteria Film Co.), Cristóbal Valenzuela (Co-Founder & CEO, Runway), Simon Horsman (Co-Founder & CEO, Quilty)

Moderated by: Luke Arrigoni (Founder & CEO, Loti AI)

Open Cities: Building the Future of Independent Filmmaking – Sunday, June 7

As the independent film landscape continues to evolve, new models are emerging to support creators navigating an increasingly complex ecosystem. This conversation explores Open Cities, a new production company and accelerator designed to empower filmmakers through a combination of financing, mentorship, and ethically driven technology. From development to distribution, the discussion will unpack how global, artist-focused initiatives like this aim to reshape pathways for independent storytelling and expand what’s possible for the next generation of filmmakers.

Featuring: Joana Vicente (Co-Founder & CEO, Open Cities), Jason Kliot (Co-Founder & President, Open Cities)

Moderated by: Liz Nord (Head of Programs and Creative Development, NYU Production Lab)

From Feed to Feature: Creators Breaking into Filmmaking – Wednesday, June 10

A new generation of storytellers is making the leap from digital platforms to the big screen. This conversation explores how content creators are translating their voice, audience, and creative instincts into feature filmmaking—navigating scale, financing, and the shift from short-form to long-form storytelling.

Featuring: Max Reisinger (CEO and Co-Founder, Creator Camp), Luke Maxwell (Manager, 3Arts), Kareem Rahma (Creator, Subway Takes, Keep the Meter Running; Co-Writer & Actor, Or Something)

Inside Sphere: A New Medium for Storytelling – Friday, June 12

This panel will explore how Sphere is ushering in a new era of immersive entertainment, where technology, scale, and premium content transform how audiences experience storytelling. Through The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, this conversation explores the success of the experience and what it signals about the role of technology in experiential storytelling.

Featuring: Jen Koester (President and COO, Sphere), Carolyn Blackwood (Head of Sphere Studios), Ben Grossmann (Co-Founder & CEO, Magnopus)

CREATIVITY UNBOUND

Inside the Late Night With Seth Meyers Writers’ Room – Friday, June 5

From monologues to “A Closer Look,” late-night writers are on the front lines of turning the day’s chaos into sharp, immediate storytelling. This conversation goes inside the writers’ room at Late Night with Seth Meyers—how ideas are generated, refined, and delivered at breakneck speed, and how humor, voice, and point of view shape what makes it to air. Along the way, they’ll unpack the craft of political comedy and what it means to write for an audience in real time.

Featuring: Amber Ruffin (Writer, Late Night With Seth Meyers), Alex Baze (head writer, Late Night With Seth Meyers), Sal Gentile (“Closer Look” Supervising Producer & Writer, Late Night With Seth Meyers)

Who Gets the Camera? New Voices in Documentary from Inside Institutions – Saturday, June 6

This conversation explores a growing shift in nonfiction storytelling as incarcerated filmmakers and creators within historically closed systems reclaim authorship over their own narratives. As access to tools, training, and platforms expands—through initiatives like prison-based film festivals and public media partnerships—stories about prisons, disability institutions, and other systems are moving from outsider observation to insider perspective. This panel examines how these voices are reshaping both the craft and power dynamics of documentary filmmaking. Presented by American Documentary Inc.

Featuring: Erika Dilday (Executive Director, American Documentary Inc; Executive Producer, POV & America ReFramed), Rahsaan “New York” Thomas (Executive Director of Empowerment Ave, Co-founder, San Quentin Film Festival; and formerly incarcerated filmmaker), Nathan Stenberg (Director, The Haunting of Pennhurst), Daniel Forkkio (CEO, Represent Justice), Megan Gelstein (Co-Director & Chief Program Officer, Catapult Film Fund)

The Art of Casting – Saturday, June 6

Casting is often the most intuitive—and least visible—force behind great storytelling, shaping performances and defining a project’s voice long before cameras roll. In this conversation, legendary casting directors pull back the curtain on their process, from discovering new talent to building unforgettable ensembles and forging creative partnerships with directors. Through stories from their careers, they’ll explore the instinct, taste, and deep collaboration that go into casting, and why the right actor can transform not just a role, but an entire film.

Featuring: Ellen Lewis, CSA (Goodfellas, Killers of the Flower Moon), Ellen Chenoweth, CSA (No Country for Old Men, Past Lives), Douglas Aibel, CSA (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Marriage Story), Destiny Lilly, CSA (The Color Purple, Only Murders in the Building)

Moderated by: Karlee Fomalont, CSA (A Complete Unknown, You Hurt My Feelings)

From Script to Screen: K-Pop Demon Hunters & Beyond – Sunday, June 7

The screenwriting duo behind Netflix’s animated mega-hit K-Pop Demon Hunters reflect on their creative partnership and evolving careers across film and television in a conversation with the host of the award-winning Smart Girl Dumb Questions podcast. Together, they’ll explore how ideas move from script to screen, collaborating across mediums, genres, and tones to build compelling stories. They’ll also discuss their upcoming slate—including projects with LuckyChap, Warner Bros., A24, and Legendary—and how they’re building a dynamic career at a remarkable pace.

Featuring: Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan (Co-Writers, K-Pop Demon Hunters)

Moderated by: Nayeema Raza (Creator and Host, Smart Girl Dumb Questions)

Adaptation Across Mediums – Sunday, June 7

Great stories rarely stay in one form. This panel explores the creative and practical process of adapting work across mediums—from books to film, film to stage, and beyond. With a focus on recent film-to-theater adaptations, the conversation will examine how creators translate narrative, tone, and audience experience while reimagining stories for entirely new formats.

Featuring: J Todd Harris (CEO & Founder, Branded Pictures) Thomas Pettinelli (VP of Development, Branded Pictures), Ken Davenport (Broadway Producer, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, upcoming: The Griswolds Broadway Vacation and Slumdog Millionaire), Alexander Slater (Manager, MediaScout, Ingram Content Group)

Running the Show: The Craft of Showrunning – Sunday, June 7

This conversation pulls back the curtain on the multifaceted role of the showrunner—where creative vision meets leadership, strategy, and execution. From shaping story in the writers’ room to navigating production, talent, and network demands, panelists share how they build worlds, lead teams, and sustain a series across seasons in an ever-evolving television landscape.

Featuring: Jason Fuchs (Co-Creator and Co-Showrunner, It: Welcome to Derry), Matt Wolpert (Co-Creator and Co-Showrunner, Star City, For All Mankind), Ben Nedivi (Co-Creator and Co-Showrunner, Star City, For All Mankind)

Reframing Reality: New Perspectives in Nonfiction Storytelling – Monday, June 8

From intimate character studies to searing portraits and rigorous investigative work, today’s filmmakers are expanding the scope and impact of nonfiction storytelling. This conversation explores how directors and producers are pushing the form forward—bringing new perspectives, rethinking authorship, and driving narrative innovation in documentary film. As the landscape evolves, this conversation will examine how these voices are reframing and reshaping the stories we tell and how they’re told.

Featuring: Liza Mandelup (Director, Jawline, The Grandmaster) Alexandria Stapleton (Director, Sean Combs: The Reckoning), Xan Parker (Producer, The New Yorker at 100, The Big Payback)

New York Loves Comedy – Monday, June 8

What does it take to create comedy that resonates—episode after episode, season after season? In celebration of NBC100, writers behind some of New York’s most iconic shows—from 30 Rock to Brooklyn Nine-Nine and beyond— go inside the fast-paced, high-pressure world of writing comedy at the highest level. From the writers’ room to the finished episode, they’ll unpack how distinct voices are shaped, ensembles are built, and humor stays sharp, relevant, and deeply human in a city that never stops moving.

Featuring: Dan Goor (Co-Creator & Executive Producer, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Tracey Wigfield (Co-Creator & Co-Showrunner, The Four Seasons)

Feeling Through: A New Model for Accessible Filmmaking – Wednesday, June 10

Using the Oscar-nominated short film Feeling Through as a case study, this conversation explores what it truly means to build accessibility into production from the ground up. This panel examines how the team partnered with the DeafBlind community to create an authentic and accessible production, reshaping assumptions about who gets to be seen on screen and how films get made—offering a blueprint for more inclusive, accessible storytelling.

Featuring: Doug Roland (Director, Feeling Through), Susan Ruzenski (CEO, Helen Keller Services), Christopher Woodfill (Executive Director, NY State Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office)

The Architecture of Unease: Haley Z. Boston & Colin Stetson on Story, Sound, and Suspense – Thursday, June 11

How do you make an audience feel unsettled before anything even happens? Drawing from their work on their hit show on Netflix, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen, creator and showrunner Haley Z. Boston and composer Colin Stetson break down the craft of psychological horror—from narrative design to sonic language—revealing how story and score work in tandem to build tension and leave a lasting impression.

Featuring: Haley Z. Boston (Creator & Showrunner, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen), Colin Stetson (Composer, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen)

Case Study: How to Feed a Dictator – Food, Power, and Control - Saturday, June 13

Ever wonder what it was like to serve dessert to a genocidal tyrant? The filmmaking team behind the documentary How to Feed a Dictator discuss their film, how food and power are inherently intertwined, and what parallels we can draw from the 20th century’s most notorious strongmen to the present day.

Featuring: Andrew Neel (Director & Producer, How to Feed and Dictator), Witold Szabłowski (Author, How to Feed a Dictator), Ruth Ben-Ghiat (Author and Historian), Ethan Palmer (Cinematographer, How to Feed a Dictator)

SPECIAL EVENTS

IndieWire Screen Talk Podcast – Live at Tribeca - Tuesday, June 9

Join IndieWire’s Screen Talk for a special live taping at the Storytelling Summit, hosted by Editor-at-Large Anne Thompson and Executive Editor Ryan Lattanzio. In this insightful conversation, they’ll sit down with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Ronan Farrow to discuss his two upcoming HBO documentary crime series with sneak peeks at this year’s Tribeca Festival—Not a Very Good Murderer and The Palladino Files. Together, they’ll explore his creative process, investigative approach, and how he translates complex, real-world stories into compelling screen narratives.

Hosted By: Anne Thompson (Editor-at-Large, IndieWire), Ryan (Executive Editor, IndieWire)

Featuring: Ronan Farrow (Not A Very Good Murder, The Palladino Files)

The Art of Producing Featuring The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld – Friday, June 12

This special event features a screening of the feature documentary The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld, an intimate portrait of the legendary producer that traces his life and career through candid conversations and artistic reflection. Following the screening, the program will continue with an extended conversation featuring the producer and director of the documentary alongside a group of acclaimed producers, using the film as a springboard to explore the invaluable—and often misunderstood—role of producing: what it takes to be a successful producer, how to build lasting creative partnerships, and the craft of bringing ambitious stories to life.

Featuring: Joan Bofill (Director & Producer, The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld), Frida Torresblanco (Producer, Pan’s Labyrinth, Disobedience), Mark Johnson (Producer, Rain Man, The Holdovers), Mynette Louie (Producer, Rosemead, Swallowed), Jack Lechner (Producer, Blue Valentine, The Fog of War)

Entertainment Weekly’s The Awardist Podcast – Live at Tribeca - Friday, June 12

Join Entertainment Weekly’s The Awardist podcast for a special live taping at the Storytelling Summit, hosted by EW’s Editorial Director Gerrad Hall and Tribeca’s Festival Director and SVP of Programming, Cara Cusumano. In this dynamic, in-depth conversation, they’ll sit down with a special guest for a candid interview on craft, career, and the creative process behind their work.

Hosted By: Gerrad Hall (Editorial Director, Entertainment Weekly), Cara Cusumano (Festival Director, SVP of Programming, Tribeca Festival)

2026 TRIBECA CREATORS MARKET PARTICIPANTS

FEATURE NARRATIVE FILMMAKERS

1. Dina Amer, Elizabeth Woodward & Caroline Ghosn
2. Juliana Antunes, Camila Matos, Marcella Jacques & Laura Godoy*
3. Alex Bush
4. Alex Cannon
5. Blaine Fuller, Chris Dagostino, Hunter Zimny & Willard Morgan*
6. Kantu Lentz & Neil Champagne
7. Liz Manashil, Laura Reich & Pardis Sullins*
8. Jess McLeod, Isabelle Deluce, Erin Purghart & Eva Tavares*/**
9. Aly Migliori, Kelly Martin & Zander Fife
10. Chelsie Pennello, Corbett Blair & Megan Duffey
11. Serville Poblete & Nicole Dane*
12. Orlando Torres, Mariela Ramos-Oquendo, Juan Medina, Samara Pérez Santiago & Raúl Abner Samrah
13. Alina Yklymova & Sophia Christine Moussavi Stier*

NARRATIVE SERIES CREATORS

1. Rex Glensy & Kenneth Carter^
2. Nicole Higgins, Jennifer Sherer, Ben Weaver & Morgan Shaw^
3. Jean Liu, Isabelle Platt & Sofya Levitsky-Weitz^
4. Emily Rose Lyons~
5. Amari K. Jones & Palmer Williams III ~
6. Alan Neal, Angela Wong Carbone & Grace Merriman

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMMAKERS

1. Cecilia Brown & Winslow Crane-Murdoch*
2. Lyric Cabral & Tabs Breese
3. Rachael DeCruz, Jeremy Levine & Rajal Pitroda*
4. Shaina Feinberg, Judith Mizrachy & Elisabeth Durkin*
5. CJ Hunt, Darcy McKinnon & Jeremy Blum*
6. Sofian Khan & Kiva Reardon*
7. Katyayani Kumar & Eric Cook
8. Elana Meyers & Katie Heiserman*
9. Carina NicHouchaine & Steven Lake*
10. Pacho Velez, Milo Borsuk, Scott Cummings & Katie Lightman*
11. Curtis Whitear & Nicholas Bruckman

DOCUMENTARY SERIES CREATORS

1. Anthony Columbus^
2. Bianca Giaever^ & Ora DeKornfeld
3. Ellen Martinez & Elisabeth Jamison

AUDIO STORYTELLERS

1. Tim Barnes
2. Kemal Evans
3. Naomi Grewan
4. Jonathan Mitchell
5. Sean O’Grady, Mandy Teefey, Jonathon Glucksman & Jesse Ford
6. Remoy Philip
7. Bob Raymonda

CREATORS MARKET KEY

1. * 2026 Works In Progress Showcase Participant
2. ^ 2026 Official Tribeca Festival TV Creator
3. ~ 2026 Official Tribeca Festival N.O.W. Creator
4. **2026 Official Tribeca Festival Shorts Filmmaker

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