Sheldon Candis’ Powerful True-Life Sports Drama ‘They Fight’ to Premiere at Tribeca 2026

Acclaimed filmmaker Sheldon Candis is set to debut his highly anticipated narrative feature, They Fight, at the prestigious Tribeca 2026 Film Festival. Selected for the high-profile Narrative Spotlight section, the true-life sports drama boasts an elite ensemble cast and a deeply moving story of community, family, and personal salvation. Sheldon stopped by to speak with SCREEN ahead of the World Premiere coming up on June 8th in New York City.

​Candis, who is also a cornerstone of the talented Quriosity Productions directorial roster, infuses the production with an infectious, high-stakes vitality. “It’s a coming-of-age adolescence drama punched in the face with a Karate Kid inspired energy,” Candis shared with SCREEN. “The movie is a dual narrative of a man reclaiming his soul intersected with boys discovering boxing, putting the work in, and fighting to matter.”

Led by a powerhouse performance from Andrè Holland (Moonlight, The Knick), They Fight follows Walt Maningan, a recently released ex-con who returns home to Southeast Washington, D.C. Motivated to rebuild his life and fix what remains broken, Walt seeks to reunite with his family. However, his path to redemption takes an unexpected turn when he steps into a threatened youth recreation center. There, he reluctantly takes on the role of mentor and coach to a ragtag team of young, aspiring boxers, finding a new purpose in the one place he swore he would never return.

Thematically, Candis utilizes the discipline of the ring to explore deep psychological and sociological truths. “For me, it’s the visual representation of Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hours rule,” Candis said to SCREEN. “Thematically, I’m aiming to inspire audiences that if you put the work in, it’s not ‘if’ but ‘only’ when your dreams will come true.”

​The film features an extraordinary lineup of dramatic talent, including Emmy-winner Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale), veteran actor Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Jack Ryan), Anthony B. Jenkins, Toussaint Battise, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Mykelti Williamson, Tinashe Kajese Bolden, Amanda Warren, and Tory J. Malone. Together, the cast captures the grit, vulnerability, and triumphant spirit of a D.C. neighborhood fighting to save its youth.

​By blending an intimate character study with the classic adrenaline of an underdog sports narrative, They Fight positions itself as one of the summer’s most emotionally resonant releases. Film festival attendees will be the first to experience the movie’s explosive heart at its Tribeca premiere this June, followed by its wide streaming release on July 17th on Hulu on Disney+.

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