The Black, Bold & Brilliant (BBB) series focuses on authentic and nuanced representation through film critique and discussions led by Black Utahns.
This fall, Black, Bold & Brilliant returns to highlight Black experiences and beyond! October’s selection is a collection of short films and conversation at the Utah Queer Film Festival. This event will take audiences into the creative spaces of BIPOC LGBTQIA+ filmmakers and talk about the state of the industry. November’s title showcases the life of musical virtuoso, Luther Vandross, in Luther: Never Too Much. This screening is a pre-theatrical special event and a Salt Lake premiere you don’t want to miss!
RSVP now!
“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
Meet the BBB Programming Team
Russell Roots, Program Manager
Russell is the Utah Film Center’s Director of Film Exhibition. They also previously served as Board Secretary for Amplify Utah, a non-profit journalistic incubator amplifying underrepresented voices in Utah. Russell has experience in music journalism and has also been a radio DJ. Their focus is on the intersections of marginalized groups in cinema, media literacy, and the rise of white nationalism in the United States.
Aja Washington, Host and Lead Programmer
Aja Washington 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 Leak, Co-Host and Associate Programmer
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.
Upcoming Events
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.
BBB screenings are also funding in part by:
