Follow the journey

Two scientists inside a spherical underwater research vessel communicating and working with electronic equipment.

A Life Illuminated follows pioneering marine biologist Dr. Edith Widder’s lifelong quest to use the language of light to communicate with the most mysterious creatures in the deep sea. Now, she heads off on her greatest journey yet into the deepest depths of our ocean world to understand our biggest questions about bioluminescence and what it can tell us about the future of life on Earth. 

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“A Life Illuminated is a treasure, highlighting the remarkable career of an underwater scientist who is finally given a chance in the spotlight herself.”

Jason Gorber, Roger Ebert

Upcoming screenings

  • A woman with short brown hair, smiling, looking up through rain-covered window.

    Boston Globe Docs

    Opening Night Film

    October 22, 7:00 PM

    Coolidge Corner Theatre
    290 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446

  • A man with sunglasses and a beard is shirtless and working with a large underwater scooter. A woman is sitting inside the scooter's cockpit, smiling. A younger person is standing next to the man. The scene takes place on a boat during daytime with open water and a distant shoreline in the background.

    SFFILM Doc Stories

    Closing Night Film

    Sun, Nov 9 at 7:00 pm PT

    Vogue Theater

    3290 Sacramento Street San Francisco

  • A deep-sea submersible with external lights navigating in the dark ocean depths.

    Denver Film Festival

    Denver Film Festival

    Tuesday, November 4th 7:00 PM

    Sie FilmCenter

    Denver, CO

 

Get in touch

We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch below for more info on A Life Illuminated.

People working on a yellow submersible underwater vessel on a boat at sea.