Documentary “Maestro” to have its world premiere as the closing film of the New Orleans Film Festival

The documentary “Maestro” has been chosen as the closing film (Closing Night Film) of the 37th edition of the New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF), where it will have its world premiere on Tuesday, October 27, at 7:45 pm, at the Contemporary Arts Center, as the New Orleans Film Society announces.

The film, directed by Jackson Fager — himself a New Orleans native — tells the story of the beloved band director Wilbert Rawlins Jr., who for more than 30 years has been “saving lives through music” at L.B. Landry High School, in the historic Algiers neighbourhood of New Orleans. The documentary, shot over two years, follows the school band through Mardi Gras parades, graduation ceremonies and the everyday reality of growing up amid gun violence, poverty and systemic neglect — a reality in which, nevertheless, every year more than a dozen pupils win college scholarships.

The news was publicly announced by executive producer Robin Roberts on ABC’s “Good Morning America” show. “Maestro” is produced by Highway West Entertainment for ABC News Studios, while the film’s original song was created by Jon Batiste, who also appears in the film himself.

After the world premiere at the festival, the documentary will premiere on the Hulu platform (and Hulu on Disney+) in the United States during 2027.

On the evening of October 27, before “Maestro”, at 5:45 pm the short documentary “Champions of Change” will premiere, centred on American football star Tyrann Mathieu.