In Select Theaters Nov. 15
& On Demand 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.
“One of America’s greatest and most impactful creatives.”
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—all thanks to Magnolia Pictures. Stay tuned for updates and be among the first to know right here.
Upcoming Screenings
Montclair Film Festival
Oct 25 2024
Montclair, NJ
Montclair Film Festival
Oct 26 2024
Montclair, NJ
Utah Queer Film Festival
Oct 26 2024
Salt Lake City, UT
Tallgrass Film Festival
First Screening with Filmmaker Q&A
Oct 26 2024
Wichita, KS
Tallgrass Film Festival
Encore Screening with Filmmaker Q&A
Oct 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
Nov 04 2024
Denver, CO
Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival
Nov 08 2024
Indianapolis, IN
Sound Unseen Music + Film Festival
Nov 13 2024
Minneapolis, MN
In Select U.S. Theaters
Nov 15 2024
United States
QDoc Film Festival
Nov 16 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 2024
Freep Film Festival
Detroit, MI
April 13 2024
Freep Film Festival
Detroit, MI
June 13 2024
Provincetown International Film Festival
Provincetown, MA
June 14 2024
Provincetown International Film Festival
Provincetown, MA
June 27 2024
Frameline Film Festival
🏆 Audience Award: Best Doc Feature
San Francisco, CA
Aug 9 2024
Melbourne International Film Festival
Melbourne, Australia
Aug 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
Winstom-Salem, NC
Oct 06 2024
Hamptons International Film Festival
🏆 Audience Award: Best Doc Feature
East Hampton, NY
Oct 07 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
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
Contact Info & Credits
Nicholas Coles
Blackburn Pictures
nickcoles@gmail.com
Public Film Contact:
Sales Agent:
Amanda Lebow
CAA
Director:
Alexis Spraic
Executive Producer:
Larry Mestel, Mark Cuban, Prudence Fenton, Tina Fasbender, Lisa Wolofsky, Susan Danziger, Justin Shukat
Featuring:
Allee Willis, Pamela Adlon, Stephen Bray, Mark Cuban, Paul Feig, Prudence Fenton, Michael Patrick King, Patti LaBelle, Cyndi Lauper, Mark Mothersbaugh, Pet Shop Boys, Paul Reubens, Lily Tomlin, Verdine White, and more.
Credits:
Producer:
Nicholas Coles
Cinematographer:
Jerry Henry, Nick Higgins
Editor:
Alexis Spraic, Carla Roda, Spencer Bakalar
Music:
Mark Mothersbaugh
© Willis Wonderland Foundation All rights reserved.