The documentary Raoul’s, a New York Story, about the long-running celeb-loved French bistro in Manhattan, will have its world premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, The Hollywood Reporter can reveal.
The film, directed by Greg Olliver and owner Karim Raoul, is an official selection of this year’s festival in the Spotlight Documentary section.
Raoul’s, a New York Story highlights the history of Raoul’s Restaurant, a cozy institution on Prince Street for the past 50 years. Opened in 1975 by two brothers from Alsace, France, Serge and Guy Raoul, the eponymous French bistro soon became beloved by Soho’s art crowd and later stars such as Al Pacino, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ethan Hawke, Lorne Michaels, Quentin Tarantino and Tribeca Festival co-founder Robert De Niro.
“The Raoul’s documentary is a family story, an immigrant story, a restaurant story — and definitely a New York story — so to launch the film at Tribeca — with Tribeca as a creative partner and Resy supporting the launch — couldn’t be more perfect,” Olliver says. “And as a filmmaker with 32 years in New York City — working with Tribeca is a bit of a dream come true!”
Karim Raoul adds, “As a member of our downtown community for the past 50 years there was no substitute to introduce our story than at our neighbors, Tribeca Film Festival. A New York story should be screened at a New York festival. We are honored to be a part of it.”
In addition to input from Serge, Guy and Karim Raoul, the documentary features appearances from Matthew Broderick, Tom Colicchio, Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the late Kate Spade, Andrew Zimmern and Alison Price Becker.
Raoul’s, a New York Story is a co-production between the U.S. and France and was produced by Secret Weapon Studios and Tribeca Studios in partnership with Resy, the restaurant reservations platform. Edward Sabounghi, Beth Hamlin and Kathleen Squires serve as producers.
“Raoul’s is more than a restaurant—it’s a New York original that has shaped the spirit of Soho for generations,” Tribeca Festival co-founder and Tribeca Studios CEO Jane Rosenthal says. “At Tribeca Studios, we’re proud to partner with Karim Raoul and Resy to tell a story that’s not just about food, but about family, resilience and the creative heartbeat of downtown. We’re honored to premiere it at this year’s Tribeca Festival.”
Resy chief marketing officer Hannah Kelly adds, “We’re proud to support a documentary that honors Raoul’s, celebrating the spirit, stories and soul that define one of New York’s most legendary dining rooms.”
The 2025 Tribeca Festival is set to run from June 4-15 in New York.
Credit: Hollywood Reporter
