The Tribeca Film Festival is in a New York state of mind in 2025.
The spring event will usher in its lineup starting with the two-part HBO documentary Billy Joel: So It Goes on June 4th at Beacon Theater. The festivities will continue until June 15th.
Emmy-winning directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin are the brains behind the documentary that spans the singer’s life, focusing on the pivotal events that shaped his songwriting. Though his songs are synonymous with New York, particularly Long Island, the directors say that even the most diehard fans don’t know all the details. Color us intrigued.
“For those who think they know Joel’s story, as well as those who are not as familiar, I believe this two-part film is both a revelation and a surprise,” director Susan Lacy said in a statement. “I was drawn to his story as someone who knew little at the outset, and was astounded at how autobiographical his songs are and how complex his story is.”
The rest of the lineup is still under wraps for the festival’s 23rd anniversary, but it’s safe to say that New Yorkers and film buffs alike are pleased with the kickoff. And let’s be real, the other films are going to have some serious competition thanks to the Piano Man.
“For nearly 25 years, the Tribeca Festival has celebrated the artists who give New York its heart and soul, and on the opening night of the 2025 festival, we are thrilled to honor Billy Joel – an artist who has embodied that very spirit,” Tribeca Festival CEO and co-Founder Jane Rosenthal said in a statement. “Paying tribute to the legendary performer who captured the essence of a ‘New York State of Mind’ is a perfect way to kick off this year’s celebration of creativity and inspiration.”
To learn more about the lineup — which will be released later this spring — and how to catch the Billy Joel doc before it airs on HBO Max this summer, visit the Tribeca Film Festival online.