by Alex Billington
May 20, 2026
Source: YouTube
“We need to make a movie that doesn’t play on the little screen. It plays on the big screen.” Panavision + neon have revealed a wonderful behind-the-scenes look at the making of Boots Riley’s colorful & extra fun new film I Love Boosters. It’s hitting theaters soon and looks like a must watch event. Another featurette about the cinematography choices and filmmaking style: “Writer & director Boots Riley invites us inside his mind palace to share how he made I Love Boosters: hand-drawn storyboards, miniature sets, costumes, lighting, anamorphic cinematography, & custom prototype lenses build specifically for the film.” Featuring production designer Christopher Glass, cinematographer Natasha Braier ASC, and Panavision’s Dan Sasaki, Boots walks through how the team transformed his ideas, textures, color. Ever since Ryan Coogler’s Sinners video last year, Hollywood is obsessed with making these featurettes for every major must-see-on-the-big screen new release (the one for Project Hail Mary is also good). I love this because it embraces the colorful, zany, funky style Boots is known for. The film follows a ragtag group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. This stars Keke Palmer, LaKeith Stanfield, Naomi Ackie, Demi Moore, Hannah Alline, Don Cheadle, Eiza González, Will Poulter, Poppy Liu, and Taylour Paige. Enjoy.
Here’s the “Big Idea to the Big Screen” featurette for Boots Riley’s film I Love Boosters, via YouTube:
You can rewatch the official trailer for Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters film right here or the first look teaser.
From Panavision: Joined by production designer Christopher Glass, cinematographer Natasha Braier ASC, and Panavision’s Dan Sasaki, Boots Riley walks through how the team transformed ideas, textures, color, and imperfections into a theatrical cinematic experience designed for the big screen. A Booster is: “Somebody who steals clothes from a store and sells them at a discount price, aka community service.” A crew of professional shoplifters take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven in this clever comedy. I Love Boosters is written and directed by visionary American filmmaker Boots Riley, making his second feature film after directing Sorry to Bother You (from 2018) previously as well as the “I’m a Virgo” series. Produced by Allison Rose Carter, Jon Read, Boots Riley, Aaron Ryder, Andrew Swett. Filmed in Atlanta, GA. This initially premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival earlier in March. Neon will release Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters film in select US theaters starting on May 22nd, 2026 this summer movie season. Looking good?
