The Nuclear Frontier Documentary Premieres Tonight to Record-Breaking Kennedy Center Crowd

By: The Nuclear Frontier via Business Wire

September 15, 2025 at 13:22 PM EDT

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

The Nuclear Frontier, a new feature documentary narrated by actor Boyd Holbrook (Narcos, Logan), premieres tonight to a capacity crowd at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. With a keynote address by best-selling author and journalist Michael Shellenberger, the event is expected to be among the highest-attended documentary premieres.

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The Nuclear Frontier's promotional poster.

The evening begins with a reception at 5 p.m. in the JFK Gallery followed by programming and the screening inside the Terrace Theater, which is the Kennedy Center’s busiest theater. Complimentary admissions are extremely limited due to seating requirements. RSVPs are required and can be made at TheNuclearFrontier.com.

Directed by award-winning and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Evan Mascagni (Building a Bridge, Circle of Poison), the film follows young advocates, also known as “nukefluencers,” 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.

“I had never even heard of a ‘nukefluencer’ when I started researching this issue,” Mascagni said. “Listening to students changed the way I view the future of energy. Their urgency, curiosity and belief in nuclear power as a source of clean energy showed me that this next generation isn’t just voicing support, they’re leading the conversation and pushing us all to act faster.”

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 premiere marks the start of a nine-state tour with screenings on 14 college campuses. Mascagni hopes the tour will spark a national conversation on the future of nuclear power and the role of the next generation in building it. 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.

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