DeLaney Filmmaker-in-Residence to Present DeLaney Center Dialogue Discussion Nich Perez will present “From Conversations to Documentary: Translating Community Exchange into a Feature-Length Documentary,” in two events that reflect on his upcoming film, “The Brownsburg Conversations.”

By Lily Caldwell
April 13, 2026

The DeLaney Center at Washington and Lee University will present two events Tuesday, April 14, featuring Nich Perez, DeLaney filmmaker-in-residence. The first event is a Reading Club breakfast held from 8 to 9 a.m. in the first-floor banquet room at the Gin Hotel in downtown Lexington. The second event is a DeLaney Dialogue discussion held in the Watson Pavilion from noon to 1 p.m. Both events include a free meal and are open to the public.

The topic for both events will be based on Perez’s upcoming film “The Brownsburg Conversations,” an observational documentary that offers a unique and thought-provoking view into the small, unincorporated community of Brownsburg, Virginia. The film offers the perspective of the town’s residents who reflect on histories of race and slavery, the role of faith in shaping connection and the possibility of regeneration in an increasingly polarized America.

The Reading Club breakfast will set the stage for the afternoon DeLaney Dialogue session by breaking down the story and characters of the documentary, sharing the trailer and some snippets of the conversations. Perez will discuss how he, his students and resident producers selected which voices and moments shaped the broader story to build a narrative arc from unscripted exchanges. He will also explain how he juxtaposed race, culture and politics by preserving tension without oversimplifying.

The afternoon session will offer more moments from the film, and Perez will share a few of the most powerful scenes, specifically from the Brownsburg Museum. The discussion will focus on the impact of the documentary experience, both in front and behind the camera and on screens. Participants will be invited into the dialogue to give their reactions and reflections.

“We worked very hard to make this feature-length movie, and we are very proud and excited to share this with the W&L and Rockbridge County communities,” said Perez. “Our hope is that we can bring these conversations to a wider audience and share the film locally, nationally and internationally through film festivals and community screenings after we have our premiere at W&L on May 6. The events on April 14 can provide a fuller understanding of the process and the story, which makes the documentary experience more meaningful and powerful. The result is a film that doesn’t arrive with answers; it arrives with questions, and the courage to sit with them —  so I’d love to invite everyone to be part of these conversations.”

“The Brownsburg Conversations” will premiere on Wednesday, May 6, at the Stackhouse Theater in Elrod Commons with doors opening at 6 p.m.

Perez is in his second year as a faculty member at W&L. He is the founder and director of the Nonprofit Film Collective, a grassroots group of storytellers who collaborate with nonprofits, communities, students and institutions to tell meaningful stories that drive positive change and support those in need. Perez has taught at several universities, including Grinnell College and St. Mary’s University, and has filmed in more than 50 countries. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business management and Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of St. La Salle (Philippines) a Master of Arts in communication studies from St. Mary’s University and Master of Fine Arts in cinematic arts: film and television production from the University of Southern California.

The DeLaney Dialogue series was created to engage audiences in conversation about regionally resonant themes, allowing for open discourse and learning opportunities. Exhibiting innovative strategies for teaching and researching Southern racial realities, these programs allow faculty and other interested participants to imagine how this protean region fits into broader professional and public possibilities.

The DeLaney Center is an interdisciplinary academic forum that promotes teaching and research on race and Southern identity. Visit the DeLaney Center website for updates on further DeLaney Dialogues, film screenings and other programming.