PRESS RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - September 29, 2025 – 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 premiere at the 34th Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF).

The film will debut at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at The Square on Wednesday, October 15 at 7:30PM. 

This feature-length documentary follows the Tight & Nerdy burlesque troupe across the U.S. with 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 Indianapolis’ own Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park during his Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour.

To celebrate the world premiere of Tight & Nerdy, three tantalizing teasers from Indy will delight the crowd with their own nerdlesque routines before the screening, hosted by Tight & Nerdy stars Pickles Kintaro and Odessa Lil.  After the film, Pickles and Odessa will join directors Jeff Nucera and Jonathan Ruane for a Q&A. 

Complete list of showtimes for Tight & Nerdy during #HIFF34:

Wed, Oct 15th, 7:30 PM @ Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at The Square – Premiere

Thu, Oct 16th, 5:15 PM @ Living Room Theaters

Sat, Oct 18th, 1:00 PM @ Living Room Theaters

Tickets are available at HeartlandFilm.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 Genealogy Roadshow for PBS.

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