Spike Lee's relationship with Brooklyn has never been as simple as just using it as a backdrop. His feature debut was shot on Super 8, he was carried through Fort Greene like "the Pope" after the Knicks won a title, and the 2025 documentary about his life was literally titled "The Last King of Brooklyn." This time, instead of making another film, he's decided to launch a whole festival.
The festival, called "Playback," is co-founded by Spike Lee and Clara Wu Tsai, with its inaugural edition set for November 6-7 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Wu Tsai is co-owner of the New York Liberty and Brooklyn Nets, and also an active art collector and patron who has previously commissioned installations for Barclays Center from artists like Sarah Sze, Rashid Johnson, Mark Bradford, and LaToya Ruby Frazier.
The festival's lineup is curated by Spike Lee and producer Nicholas Ma, and will feature classic film retrospectives, live musical performances, community events, food vendors, poetry readings, block parties, and conversations with influential artists and directors from both inside and outside Brooklyn.
"With Playback, we're building a new kind of film festival — bringing together people who share a love of storytelling through film," said Wu Tsai. "There's no other Brooklyn — the energy of this neighborhood is one of a kind, and this festival will showcase everything that makes our community special."
So far, only the venue, dates, and general program have been announced. The full lineup, ticketing details, and guest list have yet to be revealed.
