School Daze

Wednesday, July 1 - Thursday, July 2, 2026

SHOWTIMES AT IFC CENTER

Friday, July 1 at 6:40: Q&A with director Spike Lee moderated by Ashley Clark (Curatorial Director of Criterion Collection) after the screening

The one and only Spike Lee brings Black college life to the screen in his own zany and hilarious twist on the musical comedy form. Football, frat parties, and freedom are vibrantly fetishized and satirized during one outrageous homecoming weekend. Giancarlo Esposito (Julian ‘Big Brother Almighty’ Eaves) is boosting the Greek system with his Gamma Phi Gamma bros, while Laurence Fishburne (‘Dap Dunlap) is urging his buddies (‘DaFellas’) to wake up and fight for their beliefs. Spike Lee (‘Half-Pint’) is hoping to become a ‘Gamma man,’ while Tisha Campbell (Jane Toussaint) leads her sorority’s feisty ‘Gamma Rays.’ Amidst these riotous rituals and rivalries, Lee challenges received ideas about self-identity and self-esteem. The dynamic music, including EU’s hit “Da Butt” and dance numbers choreographed by Otis Sallid (of Fame fame), make this Spike Lee joint a must-see and an infectious concoction.

Screening as part of our series Declaration of Independents!

See more and save! Get an Independents Pack ($30 for IFC Center members and $45 for non-members). Ticket packs are good for any three screenings in the series.

  • Country USA
  • Year 1988
  • Running Time 121 minutes
  • Format DCP
  • Distributor IndieCollect
  • Director Spike Lee
  • Cast Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, Tisha Campbell, Kyme, Joe Seneca, Spike Lee
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.