Nova '78(2026)
The Past Was Louder Than You Think
Nova '78 Synopsis
Resurrected through UK-led archival restoration NOVA 78' shows never-before-seen footage of the legendary Nova Convention where William Burroughs, Patti Smith, Zappa, Ginsberg and more collided in an explosion of ideas, art and rebellion.
Nova '78 (2026) is a documentary and music film directed by Rodrigo Areias, released on July 30, 2026 with a runtime of 1h 18m. It stars Philip Glass, Frank Zappa, William S. Burroughs and Timothy Leary.
- Director:
- Rodrigo Areias
- Writers:
- Aaron Brookner
- Producers:
- Paula Alvarez Vaccaro, Rodrigo Areias, Aaron Brookner
- Composer:
- Paulo Furtado
- Production:
- Bando à Parte, Pinball London
- Status:
- Released
Nova '78 Cast & Crew
Main cast
Philip Glass
as Self (archive footage)
Frank Zappa
as Self (archive footage)
William S. Burroughs
as Self (archive footage)
Timothy Leary
as Self (archive footage)
Patti Smith
as Self (archive footage)
Allen Ginsberg
as Self (archive footage)
Laurie Anderson
as Self (archive footage)
John Cage
as Self (archive footage)
Anne Waldman
as Self (archive footage)
- James Grauerholtz
James Grauerholtz
as Self (archive footage)
Peter Orlovsky
as Self (archive footage)
- Merce Cunningham
Merce Cunningham
as Self (archive footage)
Key crew
Directed by Rodrigo Areias, written by Aaron Brookner, produced by Paula Alvarez Vaccaro, Rodrigo Areias and Aaron Brookner.
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Nova '78 – Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Nova '78 online?
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Nova '78 (2026) does not have a confirmed streaming, rental or digital purchase option listed for your region yet. Availability is refreshed regularly, so check back for updates.
Who stars in Nova '78?
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The main cast of Nova '78 (2026) includes Philip Glass, Frank Zappa, William S. Burroughs, Timothy Leary and Patti Smith. The film was directed by Rodrigo Areias. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
When was Nova '78 released?
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Nova '78 was released on July 30, 2026 and runs for 1h 18m.