What does it mean to be able to define your own borders? Borders themselves are a social construct, not geological. It requires a group of individuals to agree that one spot belongs to one party, while one an inch away belongs to another. In the history of humanity, massive atrocities have occurred in the name of securing that additional inch. From the West’s outward expansion in pursuit of one empire to religious crusades to proclamations of self-determination, if humanity can find a reason to expand themselves, they’ll take it, regardless of who may be stomped underfoot. It’s because of this that the notion of a micronation might seem laughable, farcical even, as groups of people manufacture their own nationstate within another. This is certainly the energy that courses through Joe Kowalski’s (Billie Bob Joe) new documentary, Micronations, which is having its world premiere in the Viewpoints section of Tribeca Film Festival 2026. At least, initially. Slowly, Kowalski reveals that amid the ridiculous reasons that some have developed micronations, the necessity to create them speaks to the failures of so-called established systems which use their power against their own people.
Center: King Ernest Emmanuel of The Kingdom of Amethonia in MICRONATIONS. Photo courtesy of Substance.
Before diving in, let’s establish some things. First, a micronation is an entity that claims independence from a state or country, though this claim is not necessarily acknowledged by either the state or country it resides within, or by the international community. The Republic of Molossia resides within Nevada, United States of America, but its president, Kevin Baugh, continues to pay state and federal taxes. Likewise, The Conch Republic in Key West is largely ceremonial in title and its formation celebrated as an annual holiday, itself born from a conflict between border control halting access to the Key islands. These are different from Vatican City, which is viewed as a microstate, which is internationally recognized as having full control over its small stretch of land. Additionally, the subjects within Micronations take great pains to separate themselves from anti-government movements that describe themselves as “sovereign citizens,” a viewpoint pointing more toward an ideology of a human existence not subject to any federal or local laws. As presented through news footage, talking head interviews, captured footage, the incorporation of Micronational Research Dr. Robert Motum (for context), and whimsical transitions, Micronations makes a point to focus on the vast spectrum of micronations that exist as a means of self-aggrandizement, of raising awareness of real issues, of artistic perspective, of righteous rebellion, and more — all pointing to the battle that wages between governmental rule and the personal desire for sovereignty over self.
A scene depicting a celebration within The Conch Republic in MICRONATIONS. Photo courtesy of Substance.
Kowalski makes a fascinating choice with the organization of the film, a choice that makes one feel as though Kowalski is cognizant of what audiences might think of the concept of a micronation, and uses that against them (to a degree) in order to lull them into a sense of comical ease before hitting them with concepts that shake them right out of their preconceptions. The opening segments focus on multinational individuals who operate their own micronation and attend a convention of like-minded individuals known as MicroCon. From outward appearances, they may as well be LARPers as many are adorned by self-made medals attached to militaristic uniforms or dresses with tiaras. At this event, founded in 2015 and hosted by a different micronation each year, there is a mixture of social and professional development events with, the intent being an opportunity for them to learn from each other how they approach operating their respective micronations and how to be good neighbors. Given the social setting and overall playful tone of the event, this portion appears to be fun and games until the interviews begin and we learn more about some of these rulers and their reasoning for starting the micronations. For some, it’s the enticement of being able to claim a nation as your own, whereas, for others, it’s to combat climate change by claiming an important piece of the Arctic for preservation purposes (Westarctic by Grand Duke Travis) or to protest anti-LGBTQIA+ policies in Canada (The Principality of Sancratosia by Sovereign Princess Chloé). One can do serious work and get their party on, as evidenced by the story that comes later with The Conch Republic, and this segment smoothly conveys how those interested in micronations may appear like pretenders to the throne, when, in fact, the creation of their own sovereignty is a tool to combat injustice by recognized states. It’s here that Micronations truly opens up, getting to the heart of the documentary, illustrating that just because there’s an established nation, doesn’t make it the right one to govern.
The stories of The Conch Republic and The Republic of Vevčani are the focal points by which Kowalski makes its point, even if not the location of his most important one. In both instances, their stories evoke government overreach and local response. Created in 1982, The Conch Republic started in response to a DEA checkpoint that created such a chokehold on traffic that tourism dropped and the mayor stepped in to reopen the roadway and was trounced. In watching the news footage and listening to those who took part in the events that followed via new interviews, the mayor’s decision to declare, on national television, the creation of The Conch Republic, was as much a stunt to garner attention to the trouble the town faced as a real creation of a micronation. Except, now it’s treated like an annual party in which the citizens dress up in costume, “battle” the U.S. Coast Guard in a recreation of one between the Coast Guard and Conch Republic citizens, and generally put on an incredible display of silliness that may as well be a carnival. Though one can look at it with a certain tongue-in-cheek aura, the undercurrent in this section is one of the complexities that exists between a people and their government. It was so easy for someone to decide to create a checkpoint without consideration of what it would do to the local economy (or considered it collateral damage they could live with) and then refuse the rights of their own citizenry who opposed it. If a government isn’t subject to its people, then what is the purpose of government? It’s a joke to the people of The Conch Republic, giving it that Key West spin of good times, but one can’t help but think of what Kowalski infers as to the role of government in an unchecked society. This is why the inclusion of The Republic of Vevčani matters because that’s almost exactly what happened here as the populace of the town didn’t approve of a choice by local government and had the military sent after them. It was through protests and pressure that the government subsided and the people claimed Vevčani for themselves, going so far as to put up a monument of shame to those who sought to control Vevčani. Through the lens of the United States in 2026, it’s remarkable to see the people actually get justice for themselves and for those who did violence be held accountable. These stories speak to the global issues all communities face when we adhere to the human-made boundaries and presume that such imaginary lines actually make a damn bit of difference when there are more things that overlap than divide us — save for prejudices born out of ignorance, fear, and hatred.
President Kevin Baugh of The Republic of Molossia in MICRONATIONS. Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival/Substance.
Between the party-like atmosphere from the MicroCon section to inflatable globe that bounds about to signify jumping to a new location or topic to the rotating diorama used to transition between specific micronations, one might really think that there’s no substance within Kowalski’s Micronations. Instead, it disarms the audience so thoroughly that one finds themselves gob smacked by the poignancy. Sovereignty of citizens matters in order to exist within a functioning nation. That doesn’t mean that someone is anti-law and order, it means that each person has a right to exist and to govern themselves. As stories of various government overreach (Conch Republic/Vevčani/treatment of Indigenous peoples) or total disregard for its people (Dignity Village) emerge throughout the documentary, a message comes through profoundly — government is intended to be by and for the people. When we lose sight of that, we, as a nation, lose so much more.
Screened during Tribeca Film Festival 2026.
For more information, head either to the official Micronations Tribeca Film Festival webpage or Substance webpage.
Final Score: 4 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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