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
— Hollywood Reporter

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

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


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 15-28 2024

Santa Monica, CA


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
7:30 p.m.: Post-film Q+A Sold Out!

Nov 19 2024

Glendale, CA


Laemmle NoHo Film Center
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


Cinema 21 Theatre

Dec 1 2024

Portland, OR


On Digital

Nov 22 2024


Past Screenings

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
P
remiere 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.
— The Vulture
A sincere and affecting tribute to a singular subject.
— Screenhub
This delightful documentary is an overdue celebration.
— HuffPost
A delightful journey that pops off the screen as vivaciously as its central character: Willis
— Detroit Free Press

SXSW World Premiere Portrait Studio 
Photos by:
Andrew H. Walker | Robby Klein

© Willis Wonderland Foundation All rights reserved.