Events Celebrating Black History Month at Pickford Film Center

Three films from legendary director Spike Lee with introductions from film scholar Brandon David Wilson, a screening with Bellingham Symphony Orchestra of Chevalier, Oscar-nominated doc Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat, and a free screening of the inspiring documentary, Bike Vessel.

This February for Black History Month, we'll be celebrating the work of Spike Lee with a 3-film mini-series on Thursday evenings, starting February 13: Do the Right Thing (Feb. 13), Malcolm X (Feb. 20), and BlacKKKlansman (Feb. 27). As Lee is one of the finest and most innovative American directors–with an unflinching voice and long and varied career, each of his films speaking to his bold, inimitable style–any miniseries cannot hope to do justice to his oeuvre. But we are highlighting three of his films that have been recognized as milestones of American cinema and that speak powerfully into our political and cultural moment in 2025.

We are also delighted to welcome back to the Pickford Spike Lee connoisseur and scholar Brandon David Wilson, who will be offering us virtual introductions to each of the films:

Brandon David Wilson is a filmmaker, writer, and educator. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he attended UCLA where he took a B.A. in African-American Studies and an M.F.A from UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. In 2005 he made his feature debut, The Man Who Couldn’t, which opened at the 2005 Pan-African Film Festival and which won the Oscar Micheaux Award at the Bare Bones Film Festival in Oklahoma. His second feature, Sepulveda, world premiered in New York City at the 2016 Urban World Film Festival. Brandon is a regular contributor to RogerEbert. com. Brandon also curated and introduced two film series for the Pickford Film Center, "Shock and Awe: The Films of the Dubya Years" and “The X-Generation: The Indie Films of Gen-X African Americans," the latter of which he later wrote a piece about for RogerEbert. com. Brandon has taught film studies courses at UCLA, Glendale Community College, Los Angeles Valley College, NYU’s Los Angeles Branch, Long Beach City College, and Whatcom Community College. He also currently teaches high school film studies in Watts.

Additionally, Chevalier will be screening in partnership with Bellingham Symphony Orchestra. Chevalier’s Violin Concerto in A major is also part of BSO’s January 26th concert repertoire! Attendees can show their ticket to the concert at PFC’s box office and receive a dollar off admission to Chevalier.

Recent Sundance 2024 doc Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat will screen Saturday, February 22nd. It was nominated in mid-January for Best Documentary Feature at the upcoming 97th Annual Academy Awards.

Finally, screening as part of our PBS Indie Lens Pop-Up is Bike Vessel, a documentary about a father and son who embark on a 350-mile trek from St. Louis to Chicago on bikes. On their journey, the two push each other as they find a deeper connection and a renewed appreciation of their quests for their own health and to reimagine Black health.

Event Details:

Chevalier (2022)

February 1st, 1:30 PM

Pickford Film Center | 1318 Bay St. Bellingham, WA

Presented by Bellingham Symphony Orchestra

Tickets available here

Bike Vessel

February 9th, 10:00 AM

Pickford Film Center | 1318 Bay St. Bellingham, WA

Part of PBS Indie Lens Pop-up series

Tickets available here

Do The Right Thing (1989)