Decibels Film Festival Presents: Tight & Nerdy – The Weird Al Burlesque Documentary

TIGHT & NERDY, the award-winning hilarious and unexpectedly moving portrait of the fearless women behind the world’s first (and only) burlesque tribute to “Weird Al” Yankovic, is poised to make its Massachusetts debut at the Decibels Film Festival, co-presented by the Salem Film Festival on Saturday, November 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available via TightAndNerdyMovie.com or Decibels.eventive.org

This feature-length documentary follows the Tight & Nerdy burlesque troupe across the U.S. through a series of performances culminating with their return to the site of their very first show five years later. As the story unfolds, we learn that their Al-Stravaganza is more than just a comedy show. Behind the stage personas and wild costumes are everyday women exploring stories of female empowerment, gender equality, and the role art has in overcoming trauma – all set to some of Weird Al’s most memorable music. Directed by first-time filmmakers Jeff Nucera and Jonathan Ruane, this is a film aimed squarely at those who were bullied for being different.

The film includes a brand-new interview with five-time Grammy Award winner “Weird Al” Yankovic, who has spent his 40-plus-year career demonstrating to misfits everywhere that weirdness should be celebrated. Proving this message is timeless, Al recently played to sold-out crowds at iconic venues including Boston’s TD Garden, New York’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum during his 2025/2026 Bigger & Weirder Tour.

Tight & Nerdy has been honored with Audience Choice awards at SF Indiefest, Bremerton’s West Sound Film Fest, the Savoy Lumière and the Heartland International Film Festival (where it also took home the Humor & Humanity Award). The film also received the Jury Award at the Atlanta Underground Film Festival.