Renowned filmmaker Spike Lee and New York Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai have officially partnered to launch Playback: The Brooklyn Watch Party, a brand-new two-day film festival scheduled to take place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) on November 6-7, 2026. Produced by director Nicholas Ma, the inaugural festival aims to celebrate Brooklyn’s enduring influence on global film, art, music, and community culture.
The festival offers a departure from traditional cinematic showcases. Rather than focusing solely on film screenings, Playback integrates live performances, poetry readings, panel discussions, pop-up cultural experiences, and an outdoor community gathering in Fort Greene.
Opening Night and Festival Highlights at BAM
The inaugural event kicks off on Friday evening, November 6, at BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House. This opening showcase features a mix of music, poetry, film screenings, and stage conversations celebrating the festival’s designated guest curators.
On Saturday, November 7, the festival expands both inside and outside the historic institution. Guest curators present a selected slate of film screenings accompanied by special guest appearances. Concurrently, a free public block party held just outside BAM offers local food vendors, live music, and interactive community activations, ensuring local residents can participate without needing a ticket.
Closer Look: Spike Lee’s ‘Crooklyn’ Closing Event
The festival concludes on Saturday evening with a special celebratory screening of Spike Lee’s 1994 semi-autobiographical drama, Crooklyn. Set in 1970s Brooklyn, the film remains one of Lee’s most beloved works.
Following a ceremonial procession into the venue, key cast members including Alfre Woodard, Zelda Harris, Cinqué Lee, and Joie Lee join Spike Lee on stage for an in-depth panel discussion about the film’s production and its lasting depiction of borough life.
Statements from Festival Organizers and Leadership
Co-host Clara Wu Tsai emphasized that Playback is designed to redefine how audiences experience local cinema and community storytelling.
“Spike has put Brooklyn on screen for decades, and BAM has served as the borough’s cultural hub for over a century. There is nowhere else like Brooklyn, nothing like the energy of this borough, and this festival will highlight all that makes our community unique,” said Wu Tsai.
BAM President Tamara McCaw noted that the event deeply aligns with the venue’s mission to bridge community connections through the arts. Meanwhile, producer Nicholas Ma highlighted the collaborative spirit driving the initiative.
“Brooklyn has always been a place where culture gets made. It’s where music, film, art, sports, food, and activism all collide and create something the rest of the world eventually catches up to,” said Ma.
Ticket Information and Future Announcements
- Dates: November 6-7, 2026
- Location: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Fort Greene, Brooklyn
- Tickets: Official ticket sales open in September, with individual pricing for indoor screenings and events.
- Free Events: The Saturday afternoon street fair and block party are completely free and open to the public.
Organizers have confirmed that additional programming, celebrity guest curators, and participating talent will be announced in the months leading up to the November debut. Film enthusiasts and local community members are encouraged to check the official BAM and festival web portals for updates.
