Jeff Stern

  • Distinguished Lecturer, English and Media Studies
  • Board of Trustees Member, Portsmouth Public Library
  • MFA Boston University
  • BA Bucknell University

Teaching Interests

Film & Video Production, Producing, Directing, Cinema Studies, American Independent Film, Effective Public Speaking

Consulting/Practice Interests

Film & Video Production, Directing for Film, Film Acting

Bio

Jeff Stern is a Distiinguished Lecturer and the Director of the Media & Culture Labs and Studio. He is a filmmaker whose work has screened at numerous national festivals, including the Ashland Independent Film Festival, Independent Film Festival Boston and the Nantucket Film Festival. Jeff initiated the first annual Digital Fast at Bentley. He lives in Portsmouth, NH with his wife and 2 sons.

Professional Links

Professional Memberships

  • University Film & Video Association 2020 - Present
  • Mass Production Coaltion 2013 - Present
  • Awards and Honors

  • 2024, Best Narrative Short Film, University Film & Video Association
  • 2021, Best Experimental Film, South Dakota Film Festival
  • 2019, 2019 Innovation in Teaching Award, Teaching and Scholarly Activities Committee
  • 2016, Outstanding Scholarly Contribution, Bentley University TSAC
  • 2016, Faculty Affairs Grant, Faculty Affair Committee
  • 2015, Audience Award for Best Short Film, Monadnock International Film Festival
  • 2013, Faculty Affairs Grant, Faculty Affair Committee
  • 2012, Faculty Affairs Grant
  • 2011, Faculty Affairs Grant
  • 2005, LEF Foundation Moving Image Fund
  • Presentations

  • Stern, J. A. (2024). “Dottie” Presented at theUFVA Cleveland, OH
  • Stern, J. A. (2023). “"Dottie" -- screenplay in progress” Presented at the UFVA UFVA Georgia Southern University, Savannah, GA
  • Stern, J. A. (2022). “This Fog (short film)” Presented at the UFVA UFVA Annual Conference Fredonia, NY
  • Stern, J. (2018). “na (Co-host of the event)” Presented at the TEDx Portsmouth TEDx Portsmouth Portsmouth, NH
  • Stern, J. (2017). “How a 48 Hour Digital Fast Can Change Your Life” Presented at the TEDx Piscataqua River TEDx Piscataqua River Portsmouth, NH
  • Stern, J. A. (2016). “The Giant Owl Man Was My Son's Idea” Presented at the Pecha Kucha Pechu Kucha 3S Art Space, Portsmouth, NH
  • Stern, J. A. (2016). “Going on a Digital Fast” Presented at the Creative Mornings Creative Mornings PKX Buoy Gallery, Kittery, ME
  • Artistic and Professional Performances and Exhibits

  • Dottie, (2023).
  • This Fog, (2021).
  • Beat poetry, (2018).
  • My Light Side And My Dark Side Meet In A Bar To Discuss The New Star Wars Movie, (2016).
  • The Morning of Everything, (2014).
  • Cakewalk, (2012).
  • Grub: The Movie, (2010).
  • Get the Balance Right, (2010).
  • My Heart, (2009).
  • Stand Up Mandy, (2007).
  • Big Movie Trailer, (2007).
  • Service

    Department Service


  • Social Media Coordinator for EMS Department for Social Media Coordinator for EMS Department 2023 - Present
  • Committee Chair for External Relations Committee 2022 - Present
  • Co-host for student & parent tours for Open House host 2021 - Present
  • Committee Member for EMS Strategic Planning Committee 2017 - Present
  • Committee Member for EMS PR Committee 2013 - Present
  • Committee Member for Media and Culture Committee 2006 - Present
  • Committee Member for Hiring Committee for Mac Lab Production Manager 2022 - 2022
  • Instructor for EMS Department Trainings on Hybrid Pedagogy 2021 - 2021
  • University Service


  • Student Organization Advisor for Bentley Film Society 2024 - Present
  • Committee Member for Dean of Arts & Sciences Search Committee 2024 - Present
  • Committee Member for Faculty Innovation Technology Innovation Group 2024 - Present
  • Attendee for Innovation + Technology + Entrepreneurship Design Series 2023 - Present
  • Committee Member for Bentley Arts Council 2023 - Present
  • Committee Member for LEADS 2020 - Present
  • Mentor (Faculty) for Bentley Student Television 2007 - Present
  • Co-prodcuer, Judge for Bentley University Film Festival 2007 - Present
  • Program Organizer for Bentley University Film Festival 2006 - Present
  • Committee Member for Pedagogical Innovation Unleashed 2024 - 2024
  • Guest Speaker for New Lecturer Panel 2024 - 2024
  • Guest Speaker for BLTC Teaching Colloquium 2021 - 2021
  • Program Organizer for Bentley Digital Fast 2014 - 2014
  • Professional Service


  • Invited Lecture/Presentation for New Hampshire Film Festival 2024 - 2024
  • Invited Lecture/Presentation for New Hampshire Film Festival 2023 - 2023
  • Invited Lecture/Presentation for New Hampshire Film Festival 2018 - 2018
  • Invited Lecture/Presentation for New Hampshire Film Festival 2017 - 2017
  • Judge for Independent Film Festival Boston 2017 - 2017
  • Judge for Glovebox Film Festival 2011 - 2011