About this Event
The Denton Black Film Festival is proud to launch our 2025 Free Community Screenings Series with the inspiring documentary Digging for Weldon Irvine.
Doors Open at 3:30 pm with Film beginning at 4pm.
🎬 Special Feature: Following the film, enjoy a live Q&A with filmmaker Victorious De Costa, joining us from New York City to share insights on Irvine’s extraordinary story and the making of this powerful film.
Who was Weldon Irvine?
- Jazz-funk keyboardist, composer, and playwright who wrote the lyrics to Nina Simone’s civil rights anthem Young, Gifted & Black
- Mentor to a new generation of artists, including Q-Tip, Mos Def, and other hip hop legends
- Creator of over 500 songs and more than 50 plays, blending music, theatre, and activism
- A central figure in the Black Arts Movement, whose influence stretched from jazz to hip hop’s golden era
Through rare recordings, interviews with friends and collaborators, and powerful storytelling, director Victorious DeCosta uncovers the brilliance and struggles of a hidden giant in American music.
💬 From the DBFF Film Programming Team:“Very revealing and enjoyable storytelling… a powerful portrait of an intelligent, complex, and caring individual whose influence on music is undeniable.”
🎟 Tickets are FREE — but donations are welcome! Your support helps DBFF keep these screenings alive and accessible to our community.
Reserve your seat today and join us for an afternoon of film, culture, and conversation.
Series Details
DBFF Free Community Screenings will be held the second Saturday of each month at Theatre Denton, 4–6 PM:
- Sept. 13 – Digging for Weldon Irvine
- Oct. 11 – Halloween Classic (Film TBA) 🎃
- Nov. 8 – Family Feel-Good Film (TBA) 🍿
A first-generation New Yorker born of South/Central American parentage, Victorious De Costa has dedicated his life to providing social service locally and abroad. Victorious' life-long love for the arts and activism has taken him around the world where he has learned the art of storytelling from different cultures, as well as techniques to reach people in need. Victorious is a producer of Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, a documentary, released by HBO Films (via ABFF/Lightbox). Digging for Weldon Irvine is his directorial debut.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Theatre Denton Annex @ Golden Triangle Mall (By Dillards), 2201 South Interstate 35, Denton, United States
USD 0.00
