It’s the hottest day of the summer in Washington Heights, NYC. Bodega owner Usnavi dreams of opening a bar in the Dominican Republic, while also pining for aspiring designer Vanessa. His best friend Benny hopes to reconnect with Nina, his ex home for the summer from Stanford. Above it all, Abuela Claudia keeps a watchful eye over the intersecting stories of the rapidly changing neighborhood’s many residents.

Jon Chu’s hotly anticipated adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award®-winning musical is a visual and musical celebration of community, a treat for lovers of Broadway showstoppers and sticky New York summers. In the Heights is the story of a community on the brink of change, but looking fearlessly towards the future. As we too look toward the future—of moviemaking and moviegoing, of NYC itself—we are proud to open the Festival with this joyful cinematic tribute to the city we call home. —Cara Cusumano

Jon M. Chu