In March, Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions acquired all U.S. and Canadian rights to Justin Simien’s much-anticipated feature directorial debut “Dear White People,” the Sundance Film Festival 2014 award winning film (U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent) based on Simien’s own experiences at a predominately white university, which centers on 4 black students at an Ivy League college where a riot breaks out over a popular “African American themed” party thrown by white students. 

With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film explores racial identity in so-called ‘post-racial’ America, while weaving a universal story of forging one’s unique path in the world.

The film stars Tyler Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, and Brandon Bell, and is produced by Effie T. Brown, Julia Lebedev, Angel Lopez, Ann Le and Lena Waithe, and exec produced by Stephanie Allain and Leonid Lebedev.

“Justin Simien is a funny, fresh and current voice with his finger on the Millennials’ pulse,” said Roadside’s Howard Cohen. “His crowd-pleasing Dear White People took Sundance by storm, with its sly and extremely topical satire sparking conversations about our supposed ‘post-racial,’ 21st century America.”

Zeba Blay reviewed the film for S&A after its Sundance premiere, and, in short, she loved it. Read her thoughts here.

Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions has set an official theatrical debut of October 17, 2014.

The film’s first official release teaser/trailer is out and is embedded below: