Close Modal Omni Films Beam Me Up, Sulu Friday, May 15 | 6:30 pm Explore the remarkable life of George Takei, from Star Trek pioneer to outspoken advocate for civil rights, revealing how one iconic role helped reshape representation and inspire generations of fans in this powerful documentary. In 1985, George Takei helped a group of diehard Star Trek fans to make a student film in the California forest, but the footage mysteriously disappeared. 36 years later, Beam Me Up, Sulu tells the story of Takei’s extraordinary act of kindness, explores the history of Asian-American representation in television, and shows what Star Trek's legacy of inclusion means to millions of fans.Through archival footage, interviews, and reflections from Takei himself, the film traces his journey from a childhood shaped by wartime incarceration to becoming a beloved cultural icon and outspoken advocate for equality.Thoughtful, moving, and often humorous, the film reveals how one groundbreaking role helped open doors for Asian American representation while highlighting Takei’s enduring commitment to justice, visibility, and storytelling. Beam Me Up, Sulu celebrates a life lived boldly, both on screen and far beyond it.Following the screening, the experience continues with a behind-the-scenes conversation and Q&A with the filmmakers, moderated by Lisa Simmons of the Roxbury International Film Festival.Presented in partnership with ArtsEmerson’s Shared Stories, a collaboration with Boston Asian American Film Festival, Roxbury International Film Festival, CineFest Latino Boston, and the Museum's Center for Space Sciences.This event is part of the Museum’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Celebration.Co-Directed by Timour Gregory and Sasha Schneider. Get Tickets Date and Time Friday, May 15 | 6:30 pm Audience 6-8th grades (Middle school), 9-12th grades (High school), Adults 18+ Location Mugar Omni Theater View Map Length 90 minutes Price $15 Language English Accessibility Wheelchair Accessible, Closed Captioning Device Available from theater staff, Assistive Listening Devices Available at Information Desk, Descriptive Audio Device available at Information Desk Learn More Get Tickets Date and Time Friday, May 15 | 6:30 pm Audience 6-8th grades (Middle school), 9-12th grades (High school), Adults 18+ Location Mugar Omni Theater View Map Length 90 minutes Price $15 Language English Accessibility Wheelchair Accessible, Closed Captioning Device Available from theater staff, Assistive Listening Devices Available at Information Desk, Descriptive Audio Device available at Information Desk Learn More In 1985, George Takei helped a group of diehard Star Trek fans to make a student film in the California forest, but the footage mysteriously disappeared. 36 years later, Beam Me Up, Sulu tells the story of Takei’s extraordinary act of kindness, explores the history of Asian-American representation in television, and shows what Star Trek's legacy of inclusion means to millions of fans.Through archival footage, interviews, and reflections from Takei himself, the film traces his journey from a childhood shaped by wartime incarceration to becoming a beloved cultural icon and outspoken advocate for equality.Thoughtful, moving, and often humorous, the film reveals how one groundbreaking role helped open doors for Asian American representation while highlighting Takei’s enduring commitment to justice, visibility, and storytelling. Beam Me Up, Sulu celebrates a life lived boldly, both on screen and far beyond it.Following the screening, the experience continues with a behind-the-scenes conversation and Q&A with the filmmakers, moderated by Lisa Simmons of the Roxbury International Film Festival.Presented in partnership with ArtsEmerson’s Shared Stories, a collaboration with Boston Asian American Film Festival, Roxbury International Film Festival, CineFest Latino Boston, and the Museum's Center for Space Sciences.This event is part of the Museum’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Celebration.Co-Directed by Timour Gregory and Sasha Schneider. Featuring Image Timour Gregory & Sasha Schneider Co-Directors Timour Gregory is a British-Egyptian documentary filmmaker who has covered some of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. His exposé of Europe’s most notorious refugee camp Section B and his film about Rohingya persecution in Myanmar Rashed have been featured on CNN.Sasha Schneider is a producer and director of artist documentaries. Both are passionate Trekkies. Image Moderated by Lisa Simmons Executive/Artistic Director, Roxbury International Film Festival Lisa Simmons is the Executive and Artistic Director of the Roxbury International Film Festival (ROXFILM), whose mission is to present films that celebrate people of color around the world and to support filmmakers who are creating media aligned with the mission of ROXFILM. The festival, now in its 26th year, has screened over 1300 films at its annual June festival as well as producing two screening series: Shared Stories, a collaboration with Cinefest Latino Boston and the Boston Asian American Film Festival (presented by ArtsEmerson) as well as the Healing Arts Series, which uses film as a catalyst for conversation focused on Black and Brown physical and mental health, in collaboration with the Wellness Collaborative, Inc. In addition, Ms. Simmons is a Program Manager for the Mass Cultural Council where she oversees the Communities Initiative program that seeks to enrich communities through culture, creativity and community-based grants and advocacy. Ms. Simmons has also produced theater and film in the Boston area and has published and presented about the Boston’s WPA Negro Theater Project which produced theatrical shows between 1935-1939. She is the recipient of several awards including: GK Top 100 Influential People of Color, Image Award from Women in Film New England, Diversity award from Our Place Theater Project, Leadership award from the Urban League Guild of Eastern Massachusetts, The President’s Award for Leadership from Dimock Community Health Center, and the Community Award from Boston Arts Academy. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of Company One Theater and The Loop Lab and is a contributing guest on WGBH’s The Culture Show. In partnership with Image
