Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It (2026)
- Sat, Mar 14
- Mon, Mar 16
Director: Paris Barclay Run Time: 105 min. Rating: NR Release Year: 2026
Starring: Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, Gloria Jones, Olivia Harrison, Ringo Starr
Country: United States
Language: English
About the film:
With his signature gospel sound on the Hammond B3, Billy Preston doublehandedly elevated the greatest artists of his time – from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, from Aretha Franklin to Eric Clapton, from Ray Charles to Barbra Streisand to Sly and the Family Stone. In our film, we explore Billy’s career and influence on generations of musicians, as he scored several number one hits of his own and became one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. He did all of this as a soul divided — by his deep roots in the church, in constant conflict with his identity as a gay Black man, searching for a family of his own that would accept him for who he was.
About the filmmaker:
Paris Barclay is an Emmy Award–winning American director and producer whose work has helped shape contemporary television. He gained prominence directing influential series such as NYPD Blue, earning multiple Emmy Awards, and has since directed episodes of acclaimed shows including The West Wing, ER, Sons of Anarchy, and Station 19.
A former President of the Directors Guild of America, Barclay is recognized not only for his dynamic storytelling and leadership behind the camera, but also for his advocacy for diversity and inclusion within the industry.
See our upcoming films