The Chicago Crusader has once again received credentials to cover the Tribeca Film Festival. This is just the first of many articles to come.
We Are Kings
Writer/director Frank Sun brings a tale of after-school mischief that becomes a powerful snapshot of identity, family heritage and the search for acceptance. Two first-generation young immigrant teenagers, Lin (Kenny Ridwan) and best friend Walid (Mahi Alam), sneak into Lin’s mother’s Chinese restaurant to burn pirate DVDs they can sell at school. Lin is caught off guard when his high school crush walks in and is soon drawn into her world of rebellion.
Frank Sun captures the weight of cultural assimilation through a coming-of-age lens, offering a quiet, tender look into the young immigrant experience of trying to fit in.
This film is in contention at the prestigious OSCAR-qualifying Tribeca Film Festival and was selected from 13,000 entrants.
Sun is a filmmaker and cinematographer based in New York City, whose work is shaped by a life lived between cultures. Born in China and raised in the American South, his storytelling draws from the complexities of identity, assimilation, and belonging—experiences that continue to inform his unique voice.
Sun began his career shaping raw, emotionally charged narratives on CBS’s Survivor, where he honed his instinct for story in unpredictable environments. Since then, he’s brought his distinct visual style—an elegant balance of raw intimacy and cinematic polish—to commercial work for many clothing brands.
This is a good short that illustrates mistakes made in friendships between young teens and the onus on Lin to correct his bad decision in order to repair his relationship.
https://tribecafilm.com/films/we-are-kings-2025
I Want To Feel Fun
Women, Comedy, Dance, Romance, Narrative
Starring Esther Povitsky (Drugstore June), Avi Rothman (Palm Royale), Simon Rex (Red Rocket) and Vivan Bang (The Parenting).
In the spirit of Scorsese’s AFTER HOURS, the film follows Esther as she tries to get into the Nicki Minaj concert. Along the way, we meet Simon Rex—Esther’s non-boyfriend boyfriend—her brother, played by Avi Rothman, and Avi’s longtime girlfriend, played by Vivian Bang.
One day in Los Angeles in search of love, connection and Nicki Minaj.
This film will play before the feature film “Oh, Hi!” and is included in “Shorts: Pick N Mix,” alongside six other works.
Directed by Jessica Sanders
https://www.tribecafilm.com/films/i-want-to-feel-fun-2025
MONEY TALK$
On the day of Reagan’s inauguration, a $100 bill travels through the underbelly of 1981 New York City.
This film is a remarkable look at how a treasured $100 bill flies out of the window of a cab that was carrying a likely prostitute from a productive night out. It goes from there—around town into others’ hands—only to end up being used to buy birthday toys for a stripper’s young son. All I can see is the trajectory from prostitute to stripper. What a coincidence!
Directed by Tony Mucci.
https://www.tribecafilm.com/films/money-talks-2025
The Tribeca Film Festival runs from June 4 through June 15. More information at tribecafilm.com.
Elaine Hegwood Bowen, M.S.J., is the Entertainment Editor for the Chicago Crusader. She is a National Newspaper Publishers Association Entertainment Writing’ award winner, contributor to “Rust Belt Chicago” and the author of “Old School Adventures from Englewood: South Side of Chicago.” For info, Old School Adventures from Englewood-South Side of Chicago (lulu.com)