Author and Journalist Michael Shellenberger to Keynote The Nuclear Frontier Documentary Premiere

By: The Nuclear Frontier via Business Wire

September 03, 2025 at 09:07 AM EDT

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

Journalist, energy expert and best-selling author Michael Shellenberger will deliver the keynote address at the Sept. 15 premiere screening of The Nuclear Frontier, a new feature documentary narrated by actor Boyd Holbrook (Narcos, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny). The public is invited to the 5 p.m. reception and premiere at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Complimentary admissions are limited due to seating with RSVPs required at TheNuclearFrontier.com.

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Michael Schellenberger to keynote The Nuclear Frontier's documentary premiere at The Kennedy Center

Directed by award-winning and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Evan Mascagni (Building a Bridge, Circle of Poison), 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.

“There is today a growing consensus that nuclear power is the cheapest, cleanest, and safest way to make the abundant power we need for AI dominance and energy abundance,” Shellenberger said. “The Nuclear Frontier documentary is an exciting look inside why nuclear is finally gaining the support it has long deserved. It’s time to build.”

Shellenberger founded news site Public, which was honored with the 2023 Dao Journalism Prize, and also serves as the CBR Chair of Politics, Censorship, and Free Speech at the University of Austin. He also frequently provides expert testimony to Congress on energy issues. He played a pivotal role in preventing nuclear plants from closing around the world including in California. Millions have seen his TED talks on the ecological benefits of nuclear power.

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.