In 1922, Tessie Souders made history with A Woman’s Error, becoming the first known African American woman director in the United States. At a time when the film industry largely excluded women of color, Souders carved out a space for herself, showcasing her talent and determination against the odds. Her work laid the foundation for future generations of Black filmmakers, yet her name remains far too overlooked in film history.

Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by The Light Leaks—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.

Before there was Hollywood as we know it, there was Alice Guy-Blaché—a true trailblazer in cinema. As one of the first-ever film directors, she didn’t just make movies; she shaped the industry itself. Directing over 600 silent films, she broke barriers, pioneered narrative storytelling, and proved that women have always had a place behind the camera.

So why isn’t her name as well-known as her male counterparts? In this episode of Film Nerd Moment, we uncover Alice’s extraordinary contributions, the challenges she faced, and how history nearly erased her impact on filmmaking. It’s time to give credit where it’s due.

Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by The Light Leaks—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.

This episode of Film Nerd Moment explores the censorship guidelines that controlled the film industry for over 30 years. Under pressure from political and religious groups, these rules severely restricted creative freedom, leaving a lasting impact on how films were made and the stories that could be told.

Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by ⁠⁠The Light Leaks⁠⁠—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.

Further Reading

Motion Picture Production Code
What the Hays Code Did for Women – The New Yorker
The End of American Film Censorship – JSTOR Daily

The 1930s were full of Hollywood’s most daring and boundary-pushing films. In this episode, Mercedes unpacks the Pre-Code era—what it was, why these bold films shook up the industry, and how they led to stricter censorship rules.

Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by ⁠⁠The Light Leaks⁠⁠—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.

Suggested Reading

Pre-Code: Hollywood before the censors

How Hollywood Freed Itself From the Hays Code's Restrictive Grasp

A Brief History of Film Censorship

Movies and TV shows often have a greater impact on society than we realize. In this episode of Film Nerd Moment, Mercedes Gonzales Bazan talks about the Scully effect and how representation of a female scientist in the XFiles prompted surge of women moving into STEM fields!

Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by ⁠⁠The Light Leaks⁠⁠—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.

In Ep 3, Mercedes talks about Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey and the way that Harley Quinn’s character transforms through a female director.

Film Nerd Moment is a video series by the Light Leaks that dives into film theory, terminology, history, and pop culture through a feminist lens. Created and researched by Mercedes Gonzales Bazan, this series is meant to share film school topics in a digestible manner for a social media audience.

Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by ⁠The Light Leaks⁠—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.

Ever notice how the way scenes are framed in movies and TV shows affects our connection with the characters on screen? 🎥 In episode 2 of Film Nerd Moment, Mercedes Gonzales Bazan breaks down the difference between the Male Gaze and Female Gaze in media, and why perspective matters in storytelling!

Film Nerd Moment is all about analyzing media in a fun, down-to-earth way. It’s like film school, but a lot more inclusive!

Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by ⁠The Light Leaks⁠—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.

🎬 The Bechdel Test has become a popular tool for critiquing representation in movies, but have you ever wondered where it came from and why it’s still relevant decades later? In this episode of Film Nerd Moment, Mercedes Gonzales Bazan breaks down the origins of The Bechdel Test, the criteria required to pass the test, and so much more!

Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by ⁠The Light Leaks⁠—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.