The Nuclear Frontier Documentary to Premiere at the Kennedy Center on September 15

By: The Nuclear Frontier via Business Wire

August 26, 2025 at 10:44 AM EDT

Narrated by actor Boyd Holbrook, the film follows efforts to expand nuclear power

The Nuclear Frontier, a new feature documentary narrated by actor Boyd Holbrook (Narcos, Logan) and directed by award-winning and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Evan Mascagni (Building a Bridge, Circle of Poison), will premiere at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, Sept. 15.

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The Nuclear Frontier promotional poster

The premiere marks the start of a nine-state tour with screenings on 14 college campuses, where cutting-edge research is underway and future scientists and engineers are currently studying. The filmmakers hope for the tour to spark a national conversation on the future of nuclear power and the role of the next generation in building it.

The film follows young advocates and business leaders as they push for the expansion of nuclear power in America, where energy demand is surging due to factors including the construction of AI data centers. The added demand has raised questions about the reliability of America’s existing electric grid to support such increases. The advocates must overcome the power source’s controversial past, as they tackle policy and financial challenges to unlock its transformative potential as a clean baseload energy source.

The Nuclear Frontier offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how industry, technology and policy are converging to shape America’s next energy chapter, particularly as the country competes against China for leadership in nuclear’s zero-carbon technology. The United States has built just two nuclear reactors in the past 30 years, while China has built 37 in just 10 years and has another 30 under construction. The documentary was filmed at locations including California’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant, which had been slated for closure before a combination of employee efforts and broader pro-nuclear advocacy influenced the decision to extend its operation. Other filming sites included the University of South Carolina and Washington D.C.

The public is invited to the documentary’s premiere screening at the Kennedy Center. The event opens with a reception at 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, followed by programming and the film’s screening. Complimentary admissions are limited due to seating with RSVPs required at TheNuclearFrontier.com.

Following the premiere at the Kennedy Center, the filmmakers will travel from September 16–29 to screen the film at universities and trade schools across nine states. The tour will bring together students, educators and industry leaders to discuss how nuclear power can drive economic growth and national security. Stops will include the University of South Carolina, The Ohio State University, Marshall University, Virginia Tech, and more.

The Nuclear Frontier is the work of filmmaker Evan Mascagni, whose most recent feature, Building a Bridge, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was executive produced by Martin Scorsese. Mascagni has been named to DOC NYC’s 40 Under 40 Emerging Filmmakers with his most recent work featured on Sundance TV, AMC+ and PBS. Award-winning actor Boyd Holbrook, whose father was a coal miner, narrated the documentary.

Mascagni said, “For years, I was opposed to nuclear energy, but I couldn’t fully explain why. The rising interest in the energy source inspired me to begin to seriously explore nuclear, and my perspective changed. I came to realize that embracing nuclear energy, along with wind and solar, may be one of the most effective ways to give my daughter and her generation a real chance at inheriting a planet that hasn’t been devastated by climate change.”

This event is an external rental presented in coordination with The Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by The Kennedy Center.