Simon Rex’s ‘Tow’ Wows at Tribeca Premiere

Simon Rex celebrated a major milestone this week as his new short film Tow made its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The premiere drew buzz from fans and fellow filmmakers alike when Rex shared on Instagram, “Tow premiered at @tribeca and was well received! Cool stuff bb.”

Film Debut At Tribeca

Rex’s Instagram announcement captured the excitement surrounding the festival premiere, which took place at Manhattan’s SVA Theatre on June 9. Tribeca programmers selected Tow for its uplifting tone and quirky humor, highlighting Rex’s transition behind the camera. Festival attendees praised the film’s concise storytelling, with screenings selling out in minutes and prompting a standing ovation from the audience.

Star-studded Ensemble

Tow features an ensemble cast of celebrated names. Oscar winner Octavia Spencer joins rising star Dominic Sessa in a heartfelt subplot, while Emmy nominee Rose Byrne and pop icon Demi Lovato bring comic relief. Tony Award winner Ariana DeBose appears in a cameo that had viewers cheering. Social media influencer Breeality and choreographer Steff Laing round out the cast, contributing to the film’s playful spirit.

About Simon Rex

Simon Rex first rose to fame as an MTV VJ in the late 1990s and early 2000s, earning a reputation for his offbeat sense of humor. He appeared in comedies such as Scary Movie 3 and more recently earned critical acclaim for his starring role in Sean Baker’s Red Rocket, which won him an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Tow marks Rex’s latest effort to explore directing and writing under his own creative vision.

On Screen And Beyond

In addition to his directorial pursuits, Rex continues to act. Last spring, he teased a turn on Peacock’s hit series Poker Face, posting “New Poker Face ep is on @peacock now! Go check er out!” on Instagram. He plays a washed-up baseball player in season two, showing that his range extends from indie film festivals to major streaming platforms.

As Tow wraps its festival run, Rex is in talks to expand the short into a feature-length project. With Tribeca’s stamp of approval and a loyal fan base behind him, the actor-filmmaker appears poised to take his next creative leap. His journey from MTV host to award-nominated actor and now writer-director underscores a career defined by reinvention.

Simon Rex’s Tow has set a high bar for short-form storytelling this year, and audiences will be watching closely for where he goes next.

Trivia

Simon Rex's music career includes collaborations with artists such as Andy Milonakis and has released several mixtapes.

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Reshmi Das

 

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

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