by Megan Robison, Staff Writer

It’s about to be a hot summer this year in New York City, with the concrete jungle abuzz from the sun’s heat and the arrival of the Tribeca Film Festival. This year, Tribeca is running from June 5th through June 16th and abound with features, shorts, documentaries, and plenty of events featuring the industries finest creatives. Screenings are at a variety of locations: The Beacon Theatre, OKX Theater at BMCC TPAC, The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios, AMC 19th St. East 6, AMC Lincoln Square 13 IMAX, Pier 57, SVA Theater, Village East by Angelika, and even virtual options for those outside of the city.

This is the first film festival I’ll be attending in person, and I couldn’t be prouder that I’ll be covering exciting new films in the heart of New York. Below, is list of the films I’m most excited to see and should be on your radar.

The A-Frame
Directed by Calvin Lee Reeder
Premieres June 7
Tickets here

The A-Frame promises to mix sci-fi with comedy in a story about the ethics of modern scientific ingenuity. Calvin Lee Reeder’s newest feature stars Johnny Whitworth, Dana Namerode, and more. A scientist’s discovery of a subatomic universe makes way to an accidental discovery of a cure for cancer. But is this cure safe? And how far will the scientist go to test it? Promising dark laughs, thrills, and morally gray characters, the film seems tailor-made for me. 

Jazzy
Directed by Morrisa Maltz
Premieres June 9
Tickets here

Morrisa Maltz returns after her successful drama The Unknown Country with Jazzy, a film about a young Oglala Lakota girl in South Dakota. Jazzy (Jasmine Bearkiller Shangreaux) and Syriah (Syriah Fool Head Means) star as two close friends growing up together until Syriah has to move away. 

Jazzy is described as a spiritual successor to Maltz’s The Unknown Country, starring Lily Gladstone. Gladstone went on to win the award for Outstanding Lead Performance at the Gotham Awards for the film, and is putting her weight behind Jazzy not only as a cast member but as executive producer as well. Maltz is clearly an on-the-rise filmmaker, and if Gladstone believes in her then so do I.

The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write about a Serial Killer
Directed by Tolga Karacelik
Premieres June 8
Tickets here

Another dark comedy on my radar is The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write about a Serial Killer, starring character actor extraordinaire Steve Buscemi. John Magaro plays a writer who befriends the titular serial killer played by Buscemi, seeking the murderer’s advice about his failing marriage and next novel. This friendship promises to go to dark, improbably funny places.

Everybody is a fan of Steve Buscemi, and his presence in such a tantalizing role as a serial-killer-turned-counselor/mentor is bound to be delightful. The premise alone calls to mind the dark, strange characters he’s mastered throughout his career, from collaborations with the Coen Brothers and Tarantino to even his season-long stint on “The Sopranos”. 

Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple
Directed by Bill Teck
Premieres June 8
Tickets here

That’s right, another film featuring an important “The Sopranos” alum. Directed by Bill Teck, Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple aims to capture Van Zandt in all his multitudes, dedicating itself to understanding his influence on rock music as a whole. From Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to a coveted slot on an HBO classic, the film will go through Van Zandt’s career and daring activism. 

As a proud New Jerseyan, I can’t imagine life without Van Zandt’s contributions to pop culture. He makes the rest of us look good, plain and simple. As an especially big fan of “The Sopranos”, the opportunity to learn more about the legend behind Silvio Dante has me itching to get to Tribeca right now!

Passes for the festival are currently on sale now. While some films still have individual tickets for sale on various dates, many are working on a rush system. Act fast to see what could become some of your new favorite films! 

Tribeca Film Festival starts June 5 until June 16, tickets may be purchased here