https://www.vibe.com/news/movies-tv/questlove-direct-earth-wind-fire-documentary-2025-1234925520/


Questlove To Direct Earth, Wind & Fire Documentary Slated For 2025

"I've learned and rediscovered myself in the process," Questlove said of the forthcoming film.


BY PREEZY BROWN


SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 1:00PM


Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is set to helm a documentary chronicling the rise and enduring influence of the iconic band Earth, Wind & Fire. The film aims to capture the band’s remarkable journey, highlighting their impact on music and culture.

“Having been baptized in the Afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly, I’ve learned and rediscovered myself in the process,” Questlove expressed in a statement coinciding with the announcement of the project.



The Philadelphia native and The Roots member continued, extolling his excitement about preserving the “positive but VERY vulnerable and real story of Soul, Self & Struggle.”

Earth, Wind & Fire members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson also shared their enthusiasm for the forthcoming project, stating, “We look forward to this in-depth journey of our band, and are so excited to have Questlove directing the documentary.”

The legendary band has sold over 90 million records and achieved significant commercial success, with 11 consecutive albums going gold or platinum and six Grammy Awards to their name.


The documentary is produced in association with Sony Music Vision and features executive producers Zarah Zohlman and Shawn Gee of Two One Five Entertainment, along with Jon Kamen of RadicalMedia, Cheo Hodari Coker, and Amos Newman.

Questlove, known for his acclaimed work on “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” is poised to bring a unique perspective to this exploration of Earth, Wind & Fire’s legacy. The documentary promises to shed light on the band’s contributions to music history and their profound cultural resonance.

News of the Earth Wind & Fire documentary arrives mere weeks ahead of the group’s upcoming Las Vegas residency at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas from Oct. 9 through Oct. 19.

https://deadline.com/2025/10/questlove-earth-wind-fire-hbo-1236572642/

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Questlove’s Earth, Wind & Fire Doc Lands At HBO

By Peter White

October 8, 2025 9:00am

Earth, Wind & Fire are heading to HBO.

Questlove revealed he was making a documentary about the Maurice White-founded band in 2024 and the film will now air on the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned premium network in 2026.

The film will examine the band’s legacy, cultural impact, and body of work and will feature exclusive access to the band’s archives of visual, audio, and written material, as well as the support of the estate of Maurice White and the band.

Questlove’s last two documentaries – Summer of Soul and Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius – have aired on Hulu in the U.S.



It is the latest doc about the group after 2001’s Shining Stars: The Official Story of Earth, Wind & Fire.


The film is produced by RadicalMedia, Two One Five Entertainment, Broken Halo Entertainment, Word Is Bond in association with Sony Music Vision and will be financed by Fifth Season.

Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson, Dave Sirulnick, Samantha Grogin, KB White, and Arron Saxe produce with Zarah Zohlman, Shawn Gee, Jon Kamen, Cheo Hodari Coker, and Amos Newman exec producing.

Questlove said, “I’m honored to tell the story of Earth, Wind & Fire and the deep meaning behind their message and music. To grow up listening to the music is one thing but to be handed the keys to the kingdom of preserving history is another. I can’t imagine a better platform on which to share this documentary with U.S. audiences than HBO.”

https://www.spinmagazine.com/2026/04/questlove-earth-wind-and-fire-tribeca/

Questlove’s Earth, Wind & Fire Doc Bound For Tribeca

The Roots will also join the R&B legends June 3 in New York

Written by SPIN Staff |

April 14, 2026 - 12:43 pm


The Tribeca Festival is going big for its 25th anniversary, with opening night programming centered around Roots drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s new documentary on Earth, Wind & Fire, Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World).

The HBO Original will screen June 3 at New York’s Beacon Theatre and will be followed by live performances from both acts. Thompson spent two years in what he calls “deep research and creative magic” while preparing the doc, which leans heavily on rare, often unseen footage and places the late Maurice White at its spiritual center. No air date has yet been announced on HBO Max.

Festival brass describe the premiere as a “once-in-a-lifetime New York event,” although Earth, Wind & Fire previously participated in festivities for the Clive Davis doc The Soundtrack of Our Lives at Tribeca in 2017. “They remain one of the most culturally significant bands in history, and this project finally illustrates exactly why their legacy is so vital,” Thompson added.

Founded by White in Chicago in 1969, Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the most commercially successful American groups of all time, with sales of more than 90 million albums worldwide. Still active today with core members Philip Bailey, Maurice’s brother Verdine and Ralph Johnson, EWF is best known for hits such as “September,” “Shining Star” and “Boogie Wonderland.”

As for Thompson, the movie joins a growing roster of film projects for the musician, including Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music, Summer of Soul and SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius). He’s also producing a long-in-the-works documentary about late producer J Dilla, which will be directed by his producing partner Joseph Patel.