Current Initiatives

2026

SPOTLIGHT SCREENING AND TALKBACK WITH MARTY BARON

The Power of Journalism

A SCREENING OF THE ACADEMY AWARD®-WINNING FILM SPOTLIGHT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, FOLLOWED BY A TALKBACK WITH MARTY BARON, SERVES AS A FUNDRAISER FOR 3 WORTHY CAUSES.

Twenty-five years ago, Marty Baron, the newly appointed editor of The Boston Globe, launched an investigation into the cover-up of serial sexual abuse by priests within the Boston Archdiocese. The team of journalists ultimately won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for their work.

Ten years ago, on February 28, 2016, the film Spotlight, based on The Boston Globe’s investigation, won Academy Awards® for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

Just prior to that victory, Marty Baron (by then, editor of The Washington Post) wrote a first-person editorial about the film. The title of the piece?

I’m in ‘Spotlight’, but it’s not really about me. It’s about the power of journalism.

In the article, Baron, of course, discusses Liev Schreiber’s portrayal of him. With his dry humor intact, Baron admits being depicted accurately as a “stoic, humorless, somewhat dour character.” He also shares his gratitude “to everyone who made a film that captures, with uncanny authenticity, how journalism is practiced and, with understated force, why it’s needed.”

When Baron and his real-life team of journalists received a standing ovation at The Toronto Film Festival, Baron admitted, “It was an emotional moment. I thought about the long-ago work that led to the movie, and how its impact would now be magnified. I thought about how the public might now see why journalism is necessary.”

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the investigation’s launch—and on the 10th anniversary year of its OSCAR® win— Berkshire Magazine invites you to a special screening of the film, followed by a talkback with Baron. The event serves as a fundraiser for three non-profits: 1761 Arts, Berkshire International Film Festival, and The Triplex Cinema.

Join us and find out why honest journalism still matters in 2026.

2026 BERKSHIRE 25

Every year, Berkshire Magazine honors 25 individuals who have made the Berkshires better by staying the course and putting in the work, often overcoming many obstacles. The group includes business leaders, educators, medical professionals, musicians, writers, environmentalists, cultural leaders, military members, builders, preservers of history, and advocates for social change. In a world of short attention spans and dwindling human interaction, we honor the commitment to community of this year’s Berkshire 25, now in its 13th year.

On Wednesday, October 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., Berkshire Magazine will hold a special reception honoring this year's Berkshire 25, sponsored by Beacon Bank and hosted at Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield. Everyone is invited! Afterwards, please stay for a movie, which includes special screenings of Other Mommy and Raiders of the Lost Ark, both of which feature 2026 Berkshire 25 honoree Karen Allen. Proceeds from the event go to the non-profit 1761 Arts.