BeloitPress

BELOIT, Wis – March 19, 2026 – TIGHT & NERDY, the hilarious and unexpectedly moving portrait of the fearless women behind the world’s first (and only) burlesque tribute to “Weird Al” Yankovic, has been selected to screen at the Beloit International Film Festival.

This feature-length documentary follows the Tight & Nerdy burlesque troupe across the U.S. through a series of performances culminating at the site of their very first show. 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 stories of female empowerment, gender equality and art’s role 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 New York’s Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, and Wisconsin’s own Breese Stevens Field in Madison during his Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour.

After winning Audience Choice awards at SF Indiefest and Heartland International Film Festival (where it also took home the Humor & Humanity Award), the film comes to the Beloit International Film Festival next week. To celebrate the Wisconsin premiere of Tight & Nerdy, filmmaker Jeff Nucera will be on hand for a post-screening audience Q&A.

Tight & Nerdy will screen at the Beloit College Powerhouse on Friday, March 27, 2026. Tickets are available at BeloitFilmFest.org

Producer Bios:

Jeff Nucera is a non-fiction producer with more than 25 years’ experience. Credits include MTV’s The Osbournes, Showtime’s Gigolos, and The Roku Channel's Charlie Puth Show, but he is perhaps best known for sorting Weird Al’s fan mail since 2001.

Jonathan Ruane has spent the last two decades working in feature documentaries and non-fiction television. His recent credits include the Emmy-nominated Martha for Netflix, Billie Eilish: The World is a Little Blurry for APPLE TV+, and Worst Roommate Ever for Netflix.

Eddie Schmidt serves as Executive Producer. He produced the Emmy-nominated Valentine Road and the Oscar-nominated Twist of Faith for HBO, Troubadours for PBS’ American Masters, and This Film Is Not Yet Rated for IFC. Schmidt was also Executive Producer of Gilbert: A Gilbert Gottfried Story.

More info at TightAndNerdyMovie.com

Media Contact: Jeff Nucera - JeffNucera@TightAndNerdyMovie.com