Micronations (2026 film)
Micronations is a 2026 feature documentary film directed by Joe Kowalski and co-written by Kowalski and Tom Zavertnik. It features a deep look into the community of micronations and other similar non-state projects which operate outside of societal norms.
Produced by independent film company Substance, the documentary premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival on 5 June 2026. Running time is 97 minutes. British composer Oliver Buckland created the music for the movie.
Summary
Micronations explores concepts of sovereignty and its relationship to the modern-day nation-state. By interviewing micronational leaders from around the world and examining their individual forms of government, the documentary pulls apart their motivations for becoming involved with an unrecognized country. The film's tagline is "Small things are happening."
Content
The film explores micronationalism through interviews with members of the micronational community, focusing on themes of sovereignty, borders, identity, and belonging. Much of the footage was shot at MicroCon 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada and MicroCon 2023 in Joliet, Illinois, but each individual segment focusing on a specific micronation was filmed on location.
Although nearly every micronation which attended MicroCon in Vegas or Joliet was included in the film to some extent, the documentary focuses its narrative on a six unique and notable country projects.
- Republic of Molossia
- Kingdom of Pibocip
- Royal Republic of Ladonia
- Kingdom of Amethonia
- Republic of Vevčani
- Dignity Village (Portland)
Dignity Village, while not a micronation, is a community-led housing project for homeless individuals in Portland, Oregon. As the Village does not receive assistance or support from the city or state, it is completely self-reliant and therefore, somewhat resembles the basic structure of a micronation.
Premiere
The film premiered on 5 June 2026 at the Tribeca Film Festival in Tribeca, New York. It was shown in three screenings, qualifying it to be nominated for the 2027 Academy Awards.
The premiere screening occurred at the Village East by Angelika in the East Village of Manhattan. In addition to the director and production team, four micronational leaders were invited to walk the red carpet:
- President Kevin Baugh
- Adrianne Baugh of Molossia
- Queen Carolyn of Ladonia
- Grand Duke Travis of Westarctica
Following the premiere, Kowalski and the four micronationalists hosted a 15-minute Q&A with the audience. Two subsequent screenings were shown on June 6 and 11.
Featured micronations
Other micronationalists prominently featured in the film include:
- Westarctica
- Ambulatory Free States of Obsidia
- Principality of Sancratosia
- Kingdom of Ruritania
- United Slabovian Empire
- Zaqistan
- Domain and Realms of the Shadows and the Darkness
- Technocratic Republic of Aethodia
- Democracy of Maristan
- Conch Republic
- Oligarchic State of Curnon