Beneath the Ashes: The Past Reimagined documentary premiere (Photo – beneaththeashes.org)
As Altadena continues its recovery from the devastating Eaton Fire, a new documentary chronicling the disaster’s impact on one of Southern California’s most historically significant Black communities is set to make its world premiere at the 2026 Dances With Films Festival.
By News Desk
Beneath the Ashes: The Past Reimagined, directed by Pasadena resident Hrag Yedalian and produced by Brandon D. Lamar, president of the Pasadena NAACP and founder of Project Passion, will debut Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 11:30 am at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood.
The feature-length documentary examines how the Eaton Fire threatened decades of generational wealth, homeownership, and community-building in Altadena, a community long recognized as a destination for African American families seeking opportunities often denied elsewhere through discriminatory housing policies and redlining.
“Altadena represents a remarkable chapter in California’s history,” said Yedalian. “This film examines what is at stake when a community that has spent generations building stability and opportunity suddenly faces the prospect of losing it. At the same time, it highlights the resilience, determination, and vision of residents working to protect that legacy.”
For much of the twentieth century, discriminatory housing practices limited where Black families could purchase homes throughout Los Angeles County. While neighboring Pasadena enforced redlining policies that restricted homeownership opportunities, Altadena became known as a welcoming community where African American families established roots, built businesses, purchased homes, and created wealth to pass on to future generations.
According to the filmmakers, many residents now fear that legacy is at risk as the community works to recover from the Eaton Fire.
Through firsthand accounts from homeowners, renters, business owners, faith leaders, educators, and community advocates, Beneath the Ashes captures both the immediate aftermath of the fire and the broader questions surrounding recovery, displacement, and the preservation of community identity.
Brandon Lamar and Hrag Yedalian (Photo – beneaththeashes.com)
The documentary features interviews with community members and leaders including artist Keni Arts; Pastor Thomas Bereal of Abounding Grace Ministries; Emeka Chukwurah, owner of Rhythms of the Village; former state legislator and Pasadena Mayor Chris Holden; Pasadena School Board Member Patrice Marshall McKenzie; lifelong Altadena residents Dawn Moore and Rand Vance; Dennis Robinson, grandson of Olympian Mack Robinson; Rose Robinson, daughter of Mack Robinson and niece of Jackie Robinson; Greenline Housing Project founder Jasmin Shupper; and John Williams, executive director of The Center for Restorative Justice.
Produced by Lamar, a fourth-generation Altadenan whose leadership with the Pasadena NAACP has placed him at the forefront of community advocacy efforts, the film serves as both a historical record and an examination of the challenges facing Altadena as residents rebuild.
The premiere comes as conversations continue across the region about equitable recovery, housing preservation, and protecting communities vulnerable to displacement in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Founded in 1998, Dances With Films has become one of the nation’s leading showcases for independent filmmaking, highlighting emerging and established voices whose work explores contemporary social and cultural issues.
Beneath the Ashes: The Past Reimagined Dances With Films 2026 Saturday, June 27 11:30 am Location TCL Chinese 6 Theatres Hollywood, California
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