This year’s Tribeca Film Festival featured nonstop memorable moments; perhaps none glowed greater than rap star and record producer A$AP Rocky accepting the inaugural Tribeca X Director of the Year Award at Spring Studios on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Coming hot off a fiery, headlining Gov Ball performance in Flushing Meadows Corona Park to kick off the summer festival season, New York City’s A$AP Rocky made the rounds at Tribeca to a highly anticipated appearance that got the crowd at the ceremony rocking as he hit the stage to give a speech. Tribeca Co-Founder Jane Rosenthal bestowed the honor on Rocky in recognition of his specific creative contributions across film, music, fashion, culture, and storytelling.

“He was here with us in 2015 with Elliott Wilson, and again in 2021 with the world premiere of his documentary ‘Stockholm Syndrome,’” Rosenthal said before bringing A$AP to the stage. “And we’re thrilled to welcome him back this year to honor him with the first-ever Tribeca X Director of the Year Award, because it doesn’t matter whether the story lives on the big screen, a phone, or the runway. What matters is it makes us think, and feel.”

The at-capacity room roared in excitement as A$AP reflected on his experiences in creating work that stands the test of time.

“I just want to be the advocate for one of those kinds of guys, man,” A$AP said when advocating for the next generation of filmmakers. “Like I said, it’s an honor and a pleasure.”

Other awards that were given out at the ceremony included FEATURES: Meal Ticket, from McDonalds; SHORTS: The Book of George, from Stio; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The Theory of Spice, from YogiTea; EPISODIC: Built to Move, from Autodesk; COMMERCIALS: Last Coke in the Desert, from Coca Cola; CONTENT CREATOR/INFLUENCER: The Master of Speed & Stability, from Beats; and SOCIAL IMPACT: The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix, from Accenture/Philipstown WireCar Co.

Readers who are interested in purchasing tickets for next year’s Tribeca Film Festival and Tribeca X can visit tribecafilm.com for more information.

 

Photo Courtesy of Kyle Stevens / @ thekylestevens

A$AP Rocky is seen accepting the inaugural Tribeca X Filmmaker of the Year Award at Spring Studios on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in New York City during the Tribeca Film Festival.

A$AP Rocky gives a big smile before accepting his Tribeca X Director of the Year Award from Jane Rosenthal last Tuesday.