New York — As Miley Cyrus’ visual album Something Beautiful debuts at the Tribeca Film Festival, producers from XYZ Films say the bold, genre-blurring project was driven almost entirely by the pop star’s creative vision.
The film, which accompanies Cyrus’ ninth studio album released on May 30, is a stylistic journey through multiple musical eras, each track represented by its own distinct visual language. From the neon-soaked blues of “Walk of Fame” to the vintage VHS textures of “Reborn,” Something Beautiful by Miley Cyrus is more than a companion piece — it’s a cinematic experience built from the ground up.
“When Miley first approached us, she already had a vision,” says Nate Bolotin, co-founder of XYZ Films. “This wasn’t about making an extended music video. She wanted it to stand on its own — a film that lives independently of the album, cinematic in concept and execution.”
XYZ Films — the indie production house known for boundary-pushing features like Mandy and Cut Throat City — saw Cyrus’ proposal as an ideal entry into music-driven cinema. The project was co-produced with Panos Cosmatos (Mandy), alongside co-directors Jacob Bixenman and Brendan Walter. Cyrus herself led the creative direction.
“She had a detailed lookbook already prepared,” Bolotin adds. “She knew what she wanted from the start, and our job was to help realize that vision.”
Filming primarily took place at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, with additional shoots in New York City. The process was highly collaborative but fluid. “They storyboarded everything in advance,” says XYZ CEO Nick Spicer. “But Miley, Jacob, and Brendan were constantly making adjustments in real time. It wasn’t a rigid shoot — it evolved on set.”
To reflect the album’s genre-bending nature, the team shot on multiple formats — 35mm, 16mm, and 8mm film — to give each segment a unique texture. Lighting was also key. “Miley was very specific about the color palette for each song,” Spicer explains. “We invested heavily in lighting because it was so integral to her visual language.”
The production brought in department heads early, including for choreography and wardrobe, creating a seamless workflow that allowed visual concepts to be deeply embedded into the film’s DNA.
The final product doesn’t follow a linear narrative. Instead, it’s a series of visually rich vignettes tied together with title cards, letting each song stand alone while contributing to a broader emotional journey.
“This wasn’t about plot — it was about feeling,” says co-founder Aram Tertzakian. “The film is less a story and more a curated experience. That’s exactly what Miley wanted, and it’s what makes the film so compelling.”
Something Beautiful by Miley Cyrus will screen in North American theaters for one night only on June 12, followed by a limited international release on June 27.
For XYZ Films, the project opens a new chapter. “This was a leap into the music world for us,” Bolotin says. “We’re not looking to repeat the same formula — we want to help other musicians tell their stories in their own unique way. Miley helped show what’s possible.”
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