The Black, Bold & Brilliant (BBB) series focuses on authentic and nuanced representation through film critique and discussions led by Black Utahns.
This fall, BBB explores the notions of freedom as seen through the eyes of men that have had the dream deferred, the communities that use it to animate their dances of resistance, and the neighborhoods that come together to protect it.
“Black, Bold & Brilliant is a safe space that allows us to explore, celebrate, and speak to our culture. This project allows us to lift up our joy and celebrate our stories through film.“
– community member
Upcoming Events
When a Witness Recants
In 1983, a 14-year-old boy was shot at Harlem Park Junior High in Baltimore. Three 16-year olds were convicted of the murder, despite limited and problematic evidence. The moment was formative for Ta-Nehisi Coates. His memories spark Dawn Porter’s powerful examination of the case and the lives of the men who spent 36 years in prison for a crime they did not commit.
Black, Bold & Brilliant
Wed, October 7, 2026 at 7:00 pm
In Person | Utah Film Center 375 W 400 N (west entrance)
2026 Utah Queer Film Festival: This Is Ballroom
Inspired by the landmark documentary Paris Is Burning, This Is Ballroom traces Rio de Janeiro’s ballroom scene back to its origins in the 1960s, when non-white drag performers created their own competitions in response to racial exclusion.
Black, Bold & Brilliant, UQFF Year-Round, Utah Queer Film Festival
Sat, November 7, 2026 at 1:00 pm
In Person | Utah Film Center 375 W 400 N (west entrance)
Everybody to Kenmure Street
In May 2021, a U.K. Home Office dawn raid triggers one of the most spontaneous and successful acts of civil resistance in recent memory. In Scotland’s most diverse neighborhood, hundreds of residents rush to the streets to stop the deportation of their neighbors.
Black, Bold & Brilliant
Wed, December 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm
In Person | Utah Film Center 375 W 400 N (west entrance)
Our first title this fall, When a Witness Recants, is a breathtaking Sundance selection that goes behind the scenes of the American justice system and the innocent men jailed for 36 years due to a false confession.
The next title, This is Ballroom, is Rio de Janeiro’s response to the classic New York City ballroom documentary, Paris is Burning. Full of fashion and endless expression, this burst of energy is BBB’s selection for 2026’s Utah Queer Film Festival.
Our last title of the season, Everybody to Kenmure Street, is the Special Jury Award for Civil Resistance at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. An inspiring and profoundly moving portrait of what “normal” citizens are capable of in the face of injustice, Everybody To Kenmure Street reminds us of the power that is always inherent in the people.
RSVP now to learn more!
Meet the Black, Bold & Brilliant Team
Russell Roots
Russell is the Film Center’s Director of Film Exhibition and has been presented with the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award by the Utah Cultural Alliance. They were the recipient of a Utah Business Living Color award in the “community involvement” category for their Black, Bold & Brilliant programming and Black, Bold & Brilliant also received the designation of “Best Cultural Program” in City Weekly’s 2023 Best of Utah issue.
Aja Washington
Aja is a Black feminist social worker who grew up in Southern California. She has been a community co-host on KRCL’s RadioACTive and works on various activism projects in Salt Lake City. Aja holds a degree in Television, Film, and Media Studies focused on using media as a tool to liberate, explore, and critique our society.
Risshan Leek
Risshan is a Husband, Father, Friend, and Activist. What started as an opportunity to buck the system, turned into a healthy obsession with helping those around him, whether it was a kind word, a helping hand, or as an ally in the face of injustice. Risshan’s passion has taken him to all parts of the world, and most recently, it allowed him to become a part of KRCL’s RadioACTive team. If anyone wants to get in some “good trouble”, you have a friend in him.
Black, Bold & Brilliant screenings are presented with support by:
BBB, as part of our free film programming, is supported by the Lawrence T. and Janet T. Dee Foundation.
