In Theaters Nov. 15
& On Digital Nov. 22
Songwriter / artist Allee Willis, best known for writing the "Friends" theme song, the Earth Wind & Fire mega-hit "September" and "The Color Purple" musical, began filming her life as a kid in 1950s Detroit and never stopped. She pursued creative expression at all costs while struggling with not fitting established gender and sexual norms… until she found a path to love.
“Energetic, colorful and invigorating to witness”
2024 Film Screenings
Catch “The World According to Allee Willis” at an upcoming film festival, or in select U.S. theaters starting November 15, with digital streaming available from November 22—thanks to Magnolia Pictures. Stay tuned for updates and be among the first to know right here.
Upcoming Screenings
Watch at Home
Now
On Demand
Laemmle Monica Film Center
Nov 16: 7:20 p.m. Post-film Q+A: Sold Out!
Nov 17: 1:30 p.m. Post-film Q+A
Nov 23: 4:30 p.m. Post-film Q+A
Dec 10: 7:30 p.m. Post-film Q+A
Nov 15-28 2024
Santa Monica, CA
Cinema 21 Theatre
Dec 01 2024
Portland, OR
Laemmle Glendale Film Center: Screening 2
7:30 p.m.: Post-film Q+A
Dec 04 2024
Glendale, CA
Laemmle NoHo Film Center: Screening 2
7:30 p.m. Post-film Q+A
Dec 11 2024
North Hollywood, CA
PAST Screenings
Angelika Film Center
Nov 14: 7 p.m. Post-film Q+A
Nov 15: 7 p.m. Post-film Q+A
Nov 14-21 2024
New York City, NY
New Plaza Cinema
Nov 15-16 2024
New York City, NY
Angelika Film Center Mosaic
Nov 14-20 2024
Fairfax, VA
Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market
Nov 15-21 2024
Washington, D.C.
Angelika Film Center and Cafe
Nov 15-21 2024
Dallas, TX
Violet Crown Dallas
Nov 15-21 2024
Dallas, TX
St. Michael Cinema
Nov 15-20 2024
St. Michael, MN
Angelika Film Center Carmel
Nov 15-21 2024
San Diego, CA
Detroit Institute of Arts
Nov 16 + 17 2024
Detroit, MI
The Belcourt Theatre
Nov 18 2024
Nashville, TN
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Nov 18 2024
Austin, TX
Alamo Drafthouse DTLA The Bloc
7 p.m.: Post-film Q+A: Sold Out!
Nov 18 2024
Los Angeles, CA
Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
Nov 19 2024
Lincoln, NE
Grand Cinema
Nov 19 2024
Tacoma, WA
The Screening Room at 1313
Nov 19 2024
Wilmington, DE
Violet Crown Cinema - Santa Fe 11
Nov 19 2024
Santa Fe, NM
Scene One Spectrum 8
Nov 19 2024
Albany, NY
Laemmle Glendale Film Center: Screening 1
7:30 p.m.: Post-film Q+A Sold Out!
Nov 19 2024
Glendale, CA
Laemmle NoHo Film Center: Screening 1
7:30 p.m.: Filmmaker Intro Sold Out!
Nov 19 2024
North Hollywood, CA
Laemmle Claremont Film Center
Nov 19 2024
Claremont, CA
Laemmle Town Center 5
Nov 19 2024
Encino, CA
Malco Studio on the Square
Nov 19 2024
Memphis, TN
Manship Theatre
Nov 20 2024
Baton Rouge, LA
Somerville Theatre
Nov 20 2024
Somerville, MA
Keystone Art Cinema 7
Nov 20 2024
Indianapolis, IN
Landmark Annapolis Harbour Center 9
Nov 20 2024
Annapolis, MD
Lagoon Cinema
Nov 20 2024
Minneapolis, MN
Landmark E Street Cinema
Nov 20 2024
Washington, DC
Ritz Five Movies
Nov 20 2024
Philadelphia, PA
Landmark at the Glen
Nov 20 2024
Glenview, IL
Keystone Art Cinema 7
Nov 20 2024
Indianapolis, IN
Landmark Kendall Square Cinema
Nov 20 2024
Cambridge, MA
Plaza Frontenac Cinema
Nov 20 2024
Frontenac, MO
Hillcrest Cinemas
Nov 20 2024
San Diego, CA
Past Film Festivals
Mar 11 2024
World Premiere: SXSW Film Festival
Austin, TX
Mar 12 2024
SXSW Film Festival
Austin, TX
April 11-13 2024
Freep Film Festival
Detroit, MI
June 13+14 2024
Provincetown International Film Festival
Provincetown, MA
June 27 2024
Frameline Film Festival
🏆 Audience Award: Best Doc Feature
San Francisco, CA
Aug 9+10 2024
Melbourne International Film Festival
Melbourne, Australia
Aug 24 2024
Sidewalk Film Festival
🏆 Award: Best SHOUT Feature
Birmingham, AL
Sep 19 2024
Fresno Reel Pride LGBTQ+ Film Festival
Fresno, CA
Sep 28 2024
Edmonton International Film Festival
Edmonton, Canada
Oct 01 2024
Edmonton International Film Festival
Edmonton, Canada
Oct 06 2024
OUT at the Movies international Film Festival
Winston-Salem, NC
Oct 6+7 2024
Hamptons International Film Festival
🏆 Audience Award: Best Doc Feature
East Hampton, NY
Oct 19 2024
NewFest: NY LGBTQ+ Film Festival
New York City, NY
Oct 19 2024
Heartland International Film Festival
Indianapolis, IN
Oct 19 2024
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
Hot Springs, AR
Oct 19 2024
OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Montclair Film Festival
Oct 25+26 2024
Montclair, NJ
Utah Queer Film Festival
Oct 26 2024
Salt Lake City, UT
Tallgrass Film Festival
🏆 Best Documentary Feature
🏆 Audience Award: Best Doc Feature
Oct 26+27 2024
Wichita, KS
Virginia Film Festival
Nov 02 2024
Charlottesville, VA
Denver International Film Festival
Nov 02 2024
Denver, CO
Denver International Film Festival
Post-film Q&A
Nov 04 2024
Denver, CO
Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival
Premiere Night Doc Feature
Nov 08 2024
Indianapolis, IN
Sound Unseen Music + Film Festival
Nov 13 2024
Minneapolis, MN
QDoc Film Festival
Nov 16 2024
Portland, OR
Press & testimonials
“This affectionate documentary is a blast.”
“A sincere and affecting tribute to a singular subject.”
“This delightful documentary is an overdue celebration.”
“A delightful journey that pops off the screen as vivaciously as its central character: Willis”
SXSW World Premiere Portrait Studio
Photos by: Andrew H. Walker | Robby Klein
© Willis Wonderland Foundation All rights reserved.