"Hands Up" Film Screening and Director Q&A
2026-03-10 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | Boedecker Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Join us at the Dairy Arts Center for a powerful evening of cinema and conversation with a screening of Hands Up, followed by a live Q&A with director Chuck Whitman.
Set against the backdrop of Chicago amid the rise of Black Lives Matter protests, Hands Up is a gripping and urgent coming-of-age drama that confronts systemic violence, grief, and the fight for survival in one of America’s most notorious murder capitals.
Film Synopsis
After his cousin is shot and killed by a white police officer, a Black inner-city teenager struggles to find a way out of Chicago as protests erupt across the city. Caught between trauma, anger, and limited options, he must navigate a world shaped by loss, injustice, and resilience.
Post-Screening Conversation
Following the screening, director Chuck Whitman will join us for a live Q&A, discussing the making of the film, its social and political context, and his approach to telling stories rooted in lived experience. The evening will also include a short trailer preview of Whitman’s upcoming film project.
Tickets: Free, registration required (capacity is limited)
This event is presented in partnership with Louise Cutler Studio.
Film Credits
Director: Chuck Whitman (Charles “Chuke” Whitman)
Writers: Robert Kreiling, Chuck Whitman
Starring: Jermaine Johnson, Jamal Woolard, LaRoyce Hawkins

Oscar Party
2026-03-15 16:00 - 19:00
TICKETS
Mar 15
Once a year the world of cinema comes together to celebrate the magic of movies. And the community that comes to The Boedecker Theater is no exception. Let’s congregate and enjoy good food and good company while we watch the awards ceremony that in recent years has held a few surprises, if not outright controversy. Test yourself on movie trivia during the commercials to win clever prizes, and try to predict the Oscar awards and win an annual membership at the Dairy Arts Center. Ticket includes buffet, a glass of the bubbly (or non-alcoholic beverage of your choice), free popcorn and dessert. Party starts at 4:00, pre-show coverage begins at 4:30, ceremony at 5:00.

Meet Your Oscar Party Host!
Jack Hanley is a Film Historian, Critic, and Podcaster based in Boulder, Colorado.
He is helps program films for several Film Festivals including the Chicago Underground Film Festival and the Boulder International Film Festival. He was the host and co-programmer of the Crested Butte International Film Festival for over a decade.
Jack is a frequent talk-back host and instructor for the Dairy Arts Center Cinema Program where he teaches the film analysis workshop, How To Watch A Movie.
