February has given the Utah Film Center staff the opportunity to discuss (and debate, in good humor!) some of our favorite films featuring Black leads. From classics such as Do The Right Thing, to new-age horrors like Get Out, to stirring documentaries such as Paris Is Burning, our staff’s picks represent a diverse, fun, and heartfelt list of some must-watches not just for Black History Month, but throughout the entire year!
If you are interested in seeing authentic and nuanced representation of Black individuals on film, visit our Black, Bold & Brilliant page to learn more about our free monthly screenings and film discussions.
Below are everyone’s top five picks (with some bonuses, for those who just couldn’t choose!)
Russell Roots | Director of Film Exhibition & Black, Bold & Brilliant
House Party (1990)
Blazing Saddles
Blade
I’m Gonna Git You Sucka
Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (screened as part of our 2023 Summer Outdoor Film Series!)
Aja Washington | Black, Bold & Brilliant Host & Lead Programmer
Moonlight
Malcom X
The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Hollywood Shuffle
Crooklyn
Sounder
Alisha Archibald | Operations Manager
Get Out
Nope
American Fiction
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
Space Jam
Judas and the Black Messiah
Frank Bennett | Fiscal Sponsorship Manager
Moonlight
Man on Fire
Remember the Titans
Sorry to Bother You
Do the Right Thing
Isaac Fairley | Corporate Underwriting Coordinator
The Hurricane
Boyz n the Hood
Friday
Do the Right Thing
Paris Blues
Julie Gale | Education & Family Programs Director
Summer of Soul
Hidden Figures
The Wiz
Do the Right Thing
Get Out
John Kirsling | Finance Director
Friday
Moonlight
Summer of Soul
Attica
Tear the Roof Off: The Untold Story Of Parliament Funkadelic
Josh Levey | Technology Officer
Brown Sugar
New Jack City
Moonlight
Dope
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Muhammad Ali: When We Were Kings
Kate McKellar | Assistant to the Founder
Judas and the Black Messiah
BlaKkKlansman
Love & Basketball
Minding the Gap
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Meghan Horner | Development Director
Get Out
Black Panther
Moonlight
Friday
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Sophie Caligiuri | Development Manager
Roll Bounce
Kokomo City (Screened as part of our 2023 Queer Film Festival!)
Moonlight
If Beale Street Could Talk
Paris Is Burning
