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Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Anna Feder at the Bright Lights Film Series in 2019.

Letter: My termination shows the hypocrisy at the heart of Emerson

By Anna Feder, Guest Author / October 23, 2024
A big weapon they’re depending upon is shame. They want to make dissidents feel ashamed. At universities around the country, administrators want us to feel guilt
There is a Bright Light that never goes out

There is a Bright Light that never goes out

By Ryan Yau, Living Arts Editor / September 18, 2024
Near its 10th anniversary, the Bright Lights Cinema Series has introduced three generations of Emerson students to hundreds of independent films, highlighting social issues and marginalized perspectives.
‘Subject’ is a thoughtful meta-examination of the documentary genre

‘Subject’ is a thoughtful meta-examination of the documentary genre

By Abigail Lee, Magazine Editor / October 19, 2022

A documentary recently shown as part of the Bright Lights line up interrogates the ethics of the documentary genre itself.  Directed by Jennifer Tiexiera...

‘Fly So Far' reminds us to think about the injustices in foreign countries

‘Fly So Far’ reminds us to think about the injustices in foreign countries

By Samantha Deras, Correspondent / October 6, 2022

“We are guilty of the simple fact of being women.”  This quote makes up just one of the many emotional scenes in the 2021 documentary about El...

Bright Lights releases fall 2022 program

By Alison Sincebaugh / September 21, 2022

The Bright Lights film series, presented by Emerson’s visual and media arts department, recently announced its fall 2022 lineup, with the first screenings...

"Sounds of the City." Courtesy of Bright Lights.

Emerson Film Festival returns in person Mar. 30

By Karissa Schaefer, Living Arts Editor / March 30, 2022

From narratives and documentaries, to experimental and animation, Emerson returns for its 21st annual Film Festival on Mar. 30, featuring 10 films from...

Anna Feder at the Bright Lights Film Series in 2019.

Bright Lights Film Series kicks off with ‘On These Grounds,’ exposing over-policing in schools

By Dionna Santucci / October 14, 2021

Bright Lights Film kicked off its fall 2021 series on Wednesday, Sept. 22 with the documentary “On These Grounds.” The film was created by three...

Anna Feder at the Bright Lights Film Series in 2019.

Bright Lights Film Series releases their fall 2021 program

By Mariyam Quaisar / September 21, 2021

The college’s Bright Lights Film Series announced their fall 2021 lineup on Sept. 7, featuring 12 documentary films that highlight social justice issues.  The...

Helen Keller, with her secretary and close friend, Polly Thompson.

Bright Lights’ screening ‘Her Socialist Smile,’ shines light on Helen Keller’s activism

By Lucia Thorne / April 14, 2021

In Emerson’s latest Bright Lights film screening on April 7 and 8, “Her Socialist Smile” delves into Helen Keller’s affinity for the implementation...

'The Big Scary 'S' Word' post-screening virtual discussion and Q&A

‘The Big Scary ‘S’ Word’ documents American socialism at Bright Lights Emerson film series

By Karissa Schaefer, Assisstant Living Arts Editor / February 7, 2021

A public school teacher and a former Marine turned to socialism due to their financial struggles in a documentary directed by Yael Bridge. The Big Scary...

Director Sam Feder and actress-writer Jen Richards discussed trans representation in Hollywood in their documentary "Disclosure"

VMA and SEAL hosts Q&A Panel with director and subject of “Disclosure”

By Lucia Thorne, Assistant Lifestyle Editor / November 8, 2020

Disclosure director Sam Feder and actress-writer Jen Richards discussed the documentary’s analysis of the ways trans representation in Hollywood both...

Anna Feder at the Bright Lights Film Series in 2019.

Bright Lights Film Festival set to screen controversial film ‘Adam’

By Taina Millsap / November 11, 2019

Emerson College plans to screen Adam at the Nov. 12 Bright Lights Film Festival—a movie that has drawn significant criticism from the LGBTQ community...

Anna Feder, the Director of Programming at Emerson’s VMA department, speaks at the Bright Lights premiere. Montse Landeros / Beacon Corespondent

Bright Lights to introduce film content warnings

By Laurel Booth / September 18, 2019

The Bright Lights Film Series began posting content advisories on its website this fall to warn students about graphic and upsetting material in screenings.  Students...

Jim Cummings '09 behind the scenes of "Thunder Road." The 92 minute feature was filmed over 14 days in Austin, Texas. - Photo Courtesy of Jim Cummings

Alum’s Sundance-winning short makes it to the big screen

By Zenebou Sylla / November 13, 2018

After the success of a Kickstarter campaign that raised $36,829, Jim Cummings’ ‘09 Sundance-winning short film, “Thunder Road,” is now a feature...

Kyra Power is the A24 Campus Intern

A24 boosts Bright Lights screenings

By Annika Hom / September 6, 2018

After Anna Feder, director of programming for the visual and media arts department, screened Swiss Army Man for the Bright Lights Film Series, she was...