‘Guava Island,’ Childish Gambino’s film with Rihanna, hits Amazon and Coachella

Donald Glover isn’t just headlining at this weekend’s Coachella festival as his musical alter ego, Childish Gambino. The multi-hyphenate will also debut his long-anticipated film “Guava Island,� which co-stars Rihanna, at the event.

Then, it’ll stream on Amazon Prime Video.

The 20th Coachella Valley Art and Music Festival kicks off in Indio on Friday and there’s been a lot of chatter about how this year’s headliners — Childish Gambino, Tame Impala and Ariana Grande — could ever top Beyoncé’s groundbreaking “Beychella� performance from last year. An unexpected deal with Amazon could be a solid start. (Hey, if Bey can partner with Netflix, why can’t Glover team up with Amazon?)

The Cuban-set tropical thriller “Guava Island,� about a local musician who is determined to throw a crowd-pleasing festival, debuts at Coachella on Thursday, the day before Childish Gambino performs, in a specially constructed theater built for the event. It will continue to screen on the Coachella grounds until the end of the festival.

FULL COVERAGE: Coachella 2019 »

In the meantime, the film will begin streaming on Amazon on Saturday at 12:01 a.m. Pacific, according to Amazon Prime Video, which has partnered with New Regency to distribute the film. It will continue to stream for free on Amazon until 6 p.m. Pacific on Saturday, then will be available only to Amazon Prime Video customers.

Amazon Studios acquired the exclusive distribution rights to the film in a competitive bidding situation while it was still in post-production, the studio said.

“I’m really humbled having the opportunity to present something this timely and timeless,� Glover said in a statement on Wednesday. “Between Rihanna and the people of Cuba, this is one of my favorite projects I’ve ever worked on.�

Coachella 2019: Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande and more continue the festival’s move toward the mainstream »

Though it’s unclear what the running time is, the film is meant to be “an expansion of Glover’s idea of freedom. In creative and business terms,� Amazon said. It was written by his brother Stephen Glover and is based on a story by the artist collective Royalty.

“Guava Island� is directed by Hiro Murai and also stars Nonso Anozie and Letitia Wright. Murai has previously directed a slew of Childish Gambino’s music videos, including the Grammy-winning short “This Is America,� and has worked with the artist on his FX series “Atlanta� and HBO’s “Barry.�

“‘Guava Island’ is the end result of four incredible weeks spent in Cuba with some of the most inspiring creative talents I’ve ever met,� Murai said in a statement. “Designers, performers, musicians, and filmmakers came together from all over the world to create this crazy fever dream of a production.�

Twitter: @NardineSaad