Bright Harvest: Powering Earth from Space Film Screening

You are invited to a screening and panel discussion – “Bright Harvest: Powering Earth from Space,” a 25-min documentary that follows the incredible journey of three Caltech professors who came together over a decade ago to solve a problem: How do you power Earth from space to provide an endless supply of clean, sustainable energy? 

The film follows Caltech professors Harry Atwater, Ali Hajimiri and Sergio Pellegrino on a captivating journey to the 2023 launch of the Space Solar Power Demonstrator and the success that followed. Their research was funded by philanthropist Donald Bren, Chairman of Irvine Company, who recalled reading about the potential for space-based solar energy as a boy in Popular Science magazine. In 2011, he approached Caltech with the idea of funding a bold research project with the hope of turning his childhood dream into a reality. The film was produced by Brigitte Bren and filmmaker Steven Reich. Moderated by Errol Arkilic, Chief Innovation Officer of UC Irvine and Executive Director of Beall Applied Innovation, this screening reflects our commitment to supporting research broadly, recognizing that progress on global challenges like clean energy depends on collaboration, long-term investment and public engagement across institutions.   

MARCH 31, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Film Screening and Panel Discussion
(doors open at 5:30)
Irvine Barclay Theatre
4242 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

RSVP by March 20, 2026

Moderated by Errol Arkilic, Chief Innovation Officer of UC Irvine and Executive Director of Beall Applied Innovation, this screening reflects our commitment to supporting research broadly, recognizing that progress on global challenges like clean energy depends on collaboration, long-term investment and public engagement across institutions.