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Black, Bold & Brilliant

The Black, Bold & Brilliant (BBB) series focuses on authentic and nuanced representation through film critique and discussions led by Black Utahns.

BBB events are programmed for the benefit of Black, Afro-Latino, Latino, Indigenous, LGBTQ, and allied communities in Utah; however, all are welcome to thoughtfully participate.

This spring, Black, Bold & Brilliant is showcasing stories of holding those in authority accountable. The stakes have never been higher in these two legal dramas centering Black voices standing in their truth.

Your first stop is a Black History Month selection based on an award-winning book that investigates the political intrigue wrapped around an anti-gang activist who’s threatening to tear apart Denver, Colorado. Eight years in the making, this film tells the story of communities of color at the crossroads of gentrification, law enforcement, and city hall.

After that, you’ll step into the shoes of a man facing off against an international agri-chemical giant. Follow along as he makes history and pulls back the curtain on a deadly industrial coverup.

RSVP now to discover more!

“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, Tumbleweeds

Black, Bold & Brilliant Kids Short Film Program

Black, Bold & Brilliant team is proud to present a collection of family-friendly short films at Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Kids this year! Each short takes us on a fantastic journey, exploring Black and POC communities from the perspectives of their youngest members.

Bertie the Brilliant
Directed by Gabriela Garcia Medina | 25 min | USA | 2022 | Presented in English

Magic and reality clash when Bertie has to help his grandmother

Lil’ Ruby
Directed by Bartek Kik | 9min | USA | 2023 | Animated | Presented in English

Ruby saves her grandmother from the big bad financial advisor in this classic tale with a modern twist.

A Boy’s Ballet Story
Directed by Elizabeth Flores and Daniel Owoseni Ajala | 5 min | USA and Nigeria | 2023 | Non-Vocal

A boy loves to dance, and though his perseverance teaches his bullies a valuable lesson.

Gaps
Directed by Jenn Shaw | 11 min | USA | 2023 | Presented in English

An imaginative preteen from a close-knit family finds herself at a crossroads while deciding to keep her gapped teeth or risk it all for the seemingly “perfect” smile.

Cupids
Directed by Zoey Martinson | 10 min | USA | 2021 | Presented in English

Three kids worry that their beloved school bus driver will be lonely this summer, so they set her up on a date.

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:

April 20, 2024 at 12:15 pm

In Person | Viridian Event Center

Black, Bold & Brilliant

Wild & Scenic Film Festival 2024

Outdoor Auntie and Utah Film Center’s Black, Bold & Brilliant program are partnering with Tracy Aviary to present the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Together, we are hosting a night of adventure and exploration under the stars unlike any other programming currently offered in Utah. Join us on Friday, June 28th, to support Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ communities engaging with outdoor sports, public lands, and environmental activism with outdoor films and local vendors.

We’ll have food and refreshments for purchase at The Bird Feeder Cafe so bring your blanket and chairs. Arrive early for the birds and stay for the movie!

Event is 21+ only.


ABOUT THE FILMS

SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival inspires environmental activism and a love for nature–through film. Wild & Scenic shares an urgent call to action, encouraging festival-goers to learn more about what they can do to save our threatened planet.

Chasing the Bono
11 min | USA

The Kampar River in Sumatra, Indonesia boasts the world’s longest wave: a cyclical tidal bore known as “Bono Seven Ghosts” that can run over 13 miles long and be surfed for an hour-and-a-half. This film explores the relationship between the Kampar River and its surrounding communities, focusing on how surfing has strengthened this connection.

Mussel Grubbing
7 min | USA

Following a citizen scientist’s journey of discovery, the film explores the treasure hunt for finding freshwater mussels in the upper Sangamon River. Everyday people in Illinois are supporting science in ways that are important to the well-being of their local environment. Finding a diverse collection of healthy mussels means a healthy river, which in turn means healthy people in the community.

The Studio
13 min | USA

This is the story of a man and his family turning to the sport of fishing as a way to heal complex issues of anxiety, PTSD, and social injustice. Scot Simmons has seen where his life could have been without fishing. Now, he’s looking to create a better life for his son.

Paddle Tribal Waters
9 min | USA

With jaw-dropping aerial cinematography and moving storytelling, Paddle Tribal Waters is a fully immersive experience, showcasing the unbreakable bond between people and their ancestral lands. The film gives viewers a bird’s eye view as an unforgettable group of young people training for the adventure of a lifetime.

Apayauq
17 min | USA

Apayauq Reitan’s journey of gender, mental health, and purpose on her way to become the first out transgender woman to complete the legendary Iditarod sled dog race across Alaska.

Tracing History
13 min | USA

Tracing History follows a Chinese American filmmaker and her mother as they contemplate loss, legacy, and the stories that get left out of history while visiting sites where their Chinese ancestors labored to build the transcontinental railroad six generations ago. They travel to locations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Great Basin Desert.

Forward
16 min | USA

While navigating a myriad of life challenges, Anjelica turned to the outdoors to improve her mental health only to discover a noticeable lack of other plus-size women of color on trail. By posting a simple flyer looking for more women to hike with, Anjelica created a community she never could have imagined.

African Voices for African Forests
9 min | USA

Ewi Lamma, a young climate activist from Cameroon, has committed her life and work to changing the status quo by working with local communities, women, and youth. Her work is inspiring people to speak up and take part in local decision-making while protecting the environment and Indigenous knowledge.

Rewilding Rio
15 min | USA

There’s a park in the center of Rio de Janeiro that’s five times the size of New York’s Central Park, but it boasts only one third of the wild species that used to live in it. Today, there’s a group of scientists who are reintroducing wildlife — monkeys, tortoises, rodents called agoutis — and restoring functionality back in the ecosystem.

Soundscape
14 min | USA

Soundscape features Erik Weihenmayer, a global adventure athlete and author who is fully blind, as he ascends a massive alpine rock face deep in the Sierra Nevada. Using expert camera work and emotive, novel animation to bring to life a concept by adaptive climbing pioneer Timmy ONeill, the film is a surprising and soulful adventure.

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:

June 28, 2024 at 7:30 pm

In Person | Tracy Aviary

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