On November 11, 2026, The Fall of ’55 returned to Boise for a special 20th anniversary screening at the Idaho Film Society. It was an evening I'll remember for a long time.
The screening brought together a terrific audience, many of whom stayed afterward for a Q&A and conversation about the film, the events of 1955, and the lasting impact of the Boys of Boise scandal.
The questions were thoughtful, the discussion was lively, and the applause as the credits rolled was deeply gratifying. Twenty years after the film's original release, it was exciting to see the story still generating such interest and engagement.
One of the evening's most remarkable surprises was meeting an audience member who had traveled all the way from Philadelphia specifically to attend the anniversary screening. He had seen the film before, but wanted to be there for this occasion. I was genuinely floored that someone would make that journey.
Film critic and writer Michael Guillén also joined us to lead the post-screening conversation. Michael mentioned that he's probably seen The Fall of ’55 30 times and still takes away something new with every viewing. That's an extraordinary compliment, and a reminder that the history explored in the film continues to offer new perspectives.
Thank You!
My thanks to the Idaho Film Society for hosting the screening and helping make this anniversary celebration possible. Special thanks as well to Michael Guillén for his participation and thoughtful engagement. Much gratitude to the film’s historian Alan Virta and editor Buffy Naillon, who joined us for the screening. Thank you also to Kathy Ellis for taking pictures of the event.
I'm grateful to everyone who attended, helped spread the word, shared posters, promoted the event, and supported the film over the years. It was especially rewarding to see people come together to revisit this important chapter of Boise's history.
The anniversary also brought some wonderful media attention. Boise State Public Radio's Idaho Matters, and the Idaho Statesman helped bring the story to local audiences. Queerty marked the 20th anniversary with a feature looking back at the documentary and the history it brought to light.
Read the Queerty feature: 20 Years Ago, This Doc Blew the 'Boys of Boise' Wide Open
Twenty years is a long time, but the story of the Boys of Boise remains relevant. The events of 1955 deserve to be remembered, the people affected deserve to have their stories heard, and the conversations sparked by this film are as important as ever.
Thank you, Boise, for making this 20th anniversary screening such a memorable occasion.
