NEW YORK CITY — June 13, 2025 — The 2025 Tribeca Film Festival played host to one of its most heartfelt premieres as Ty Dolla $ign unveiled his deeply personal documentary, Still Free TC. The 85-minute film, which screened at the SVA Theatre, delivers an emotional account of the singer’s relationship with his younger brother Gabriel “TC” Griffin, who is currently serving a 67-year prison sentence.
Directed by Ray Arco and co-produced with Live Nation, the documentary follows Ty’s journey over two years as he balances a thriving music career with his relentless advocacy for TC’s freedom. It offers rare behind-the-scenes footage from the studio, on tour, and in family settings, while also weaving in audio and video conversations with TC from prison.
“This isn’t just about my music or my brother,” Ty Dolla $ign said during the post-screening panel. “It’s about every family that’s been torn apart by the system.”
The film avoids flashy celebrity gloss in favor of raw, emotional storytelling. While it features cameos from collaborators like Wiz Khalifa and YG, the true focus remains on the emotional and psychological toll incarceration has taken on TC, Ty, and their family. One of the most gripping moments came near the end of the screening when TC called in live from prison to thank the audience for their support.
Ty Dolla $ign was joined on stage by Wallo267, criminal justice reform advocate Jessica Jackson, and producers Krista Worby and Ray Arco, who helped shape the film’s honest tone.
“When you hear TC’s voice from behind those walls, it humanizes everything,” said Arco. “That’s what this film is about—turning statistics into stories.”
The documentary also highlights Ty’s long-standing activism. His debut album Free TC (2015) was created as a tribute to his brother, and he’s been vocal about mass incarceration ever since. At this year’s Coachella, Ty staged a powerful performance featuring a pre-recorded duet with TC that moved fans to tears.
Critics at Tribeca praised Still Free TC as “a humanizing masterpiece” and “one of the most socially conscious music documentaries of the year.” While the festival featured other music documentaries—including those on Miley Cyrus and Billy Joel—Still Free TC stood out for its fusion of family, justice, and vulnerability.
The documentary arrives at a time when public dialogue around prison reform, sentencing, and family impact is more urgent than ever. Through his platform, Ty Dolla $ign aims to amplify not just his brother’s voice, but the voices of thousands enduring similar fates.
“TC’s not free yet, but this film brings him one step closer,” Ty said. “That’s the goal.”
Still Free TC is expected to receive a limited theatrical release later this year, with potential streaming deals in the works.
