My second year at the film festival was an exciting week of attending world premieres, photographing actors & directors, and mingling with emerging filmmakers.
Then throughout the summer, I waited patiently to hear the news we all want: announcements of a theatrical release. Even after screening at one of the biggest events in the industry (and acceptance into other festivals) many of these films will rarely be seen again – becoming password-protected Vimeo links for eternity.
After investing years into bringing an idea to life, it’s a bittersweet purgatory. While there are many factors that go into a sale, only a handful of projects will be picked up by a distributor, streamer, or uploaded to purchase on demand… meaning Tribeca Festival, unbeknownst at the time, is the first and last public screening.
So here we are four months later, still hoping for my favorite films from the 24th edition to reach wider audiences. I photographed 20+ red carpets and viewed over 40 films back in June, and I strive to promote artworks through onthetrend that reflect my taste and are ultimately available for the general public to also enjoy. Unfortunately, those days are still yet to come…
Nevertheless, here are the writers, directors and actors premiering incredible projects who are worth your attention. They are showing new work in the years to come, and I recommend following their careers through the links below:
The Wolf, the Fox and the Leopard
World Premiere, International Narrative
Feature | Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Croatia, Taiwan R.O.C. | 124 MINUTES
Written & Directed by David Verbeek. Starring Jessica Reynolds, Nicholas Pinnock, Marie Jung, and Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen. When a girl raised by wolves is found in the woods, she must learn to forge her own path as those around her try to exploit her for their own purposes. See Tribeca for more details.
People and Meat
World Premiere, International Narrative
Feature | Republic of Korea | 105 MINUTES
Written by Lim Namoo. Directed by Yang Jong-hyun. Starring Ye Su Jeong, Keun-hyong Park, and Jang Yong. Three broke and lonely senior citizens reinvent themselves as the infamous “dine and dash trio” in a gambit to eat free across Seoul. See Tribeca for more details.
A Tree Fell in the Woods
World Premiere, Spotlight Narrative
Feature | United States | 96 MINUTES
Written & Directed by Nora Kirkpatrick. Starring Alexandra Daddario, Daveed Diggs, Josh Gad, and Ashley Park. Four adults navigate deception and desire when a fallen tree on New Year’s Eve triggers a chain of events that challenges their relationships and the lies they tell themselves and each other. See Tribeca for more details.
Alexandra Daddario, Josh Gad and Nora Kirkpatrick. Tribeca Festival 2025. June 8 at SVA Theatre. Images courtesy of Elliott Desai
What Marielle Knows
North American Premiere, Viewpoints
Feature | Germany | 86 MINUTES
Written & Directed by Frédéric Hambalek. Starring Julia Jentsch, Felix Kramer, and Laeni Geiseler. Julia and Tobias face hilarious and cringe-worthy moments when their young daughter Marielle unexpectedly gains mind-reading powers. As family secrets come to light, they struggle to maintain privacy and normalcy in their daily lives. See Tribeca for more details.
Tribeca Festival returns June 3-14, 2026. Purchase festival passes here to join the annual celebration of independent filmmaking and support this international launching pad for visionary artists.
Sincerely,
Elliott Desai
November 30, 2025
