You can celebrate Black History Month from the comfort of your own home courtesy of Utah Film Center.
They are presenting films and discussions all month long that not only highlight the historical and present day struggles but also celebrate the artistry, fortitude and historical significance of Black Americans.
We talked with Russell Roots, Community Program Manager for Utah Film Center, about some of the films being featured this year.
Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed by Shola Lynch
This compelling documentary takes an in-depth look at the 1972 presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress and the first to seek nomination for the highest office in the land.
Spirits of Rebellion: Black Independent Cinema From Los Angeles by Zeinabu Davis
Examine the lives and work of a small critically acclaimed group of black filmmakers and media artists known as the Los Angeles Rebellion, a group brought together through shared experiences as students in the UCLA film production MFA program between 1967 and 1992. Although relatively unknown, the Los Angeles Rebellion was the first collective of minority filmmakers in the US that aimed to reimagine the production process to represent, reflect on, and enrich the day to day lives of people in their own communities. It is now recognized as an important part of the Black Arts Movement on the West Coast.
Black Bold and Brilliant: Blerd Edition
Black, Bold, & Brilliant presents the next episode in our series of conversations about Black-centric films and media: Blerds. The term for Black nerds, "Blerds", was first introduced into the mainstream in 2006 via a reference from the television show, "Scrubs". Since then, cultural recognition for Blerds has grown exponentially. This cultural explosion, often seen as the sole purview of white America in the media, has unleashed the power, imagination, and beauty of Blerds, which we're celebrating!
You can get your FREE tickets at utahfilmcenter.org/black-history-month