< ALL PROFILES

2025 AWARD RECIPIENT

John Beder

A Voice for the Unsung

Sometimes a personal journey leads an artist to discover a powerful, shared purpose that transcends individual expression. For John Beder, his path from an aspiring musician dealing with performance anxiety to an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker provided a clear, urgent mission: to illuminate community stories of resistance and amplify the voices of the underrepresented.

John's study of music at Boston Arts Academy (a public visual and performing arts high school) was foundational to his pursuit of film, where he learned practice, perseverance, creative collaboration, and storytelling. His first feature documentary, Composed (2014), emerged from his own experience, confronting the mental health challenges faced by performing musicians. This exploration of shared vulnerability set the stage for a shift towards community-centered narratives. He followed this with Dying in Your Mother's Arms, a poignant co-production with The New York Times about pediatric palliative care in challenging healthcare environments. The film's overwhelming public reception solidified John’s commitment to filmmaking that fosters conversation and action.

This dedication is now the foundation of Bedrock Productions, the Chattanooga-based film business he co-founded with his wife and producing partner, Katie DeRoche. Operating under the premise that Bedrock “campaigns for a better world, one frame at a time,” the Emmy-nominated filmmakers specialize in making documentaries about challenging subject areas like mental health, climate change, cultural stigma, and social justice, centering on intimate portraits of humanity. They have traveled globally and within their local community, acting as a vessel for impactful stories.

This commitment to social justice culminated in his recent, highly-acclaimed work, How to Sue the Klan. The film tells the story of five Black women, Viola Ellison, Lela Mae Evans, Opal Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Fannie Mae Crumsey. The “Chattanooga five” were victimized by members of the Klan and later participated in the historic 1982 civil suit, setting a legal precedent used to bankrupt hate groups nationwide. Through his work, which has won an NAACP Image Award and qualified for the 2025 Academy Awards, John continues to prove that his camera is a vital tool for documenting social justice and ensuring that important local histories of resistance are never forgotten. 

As a past board member for ArtsBuild and a Tennessee Arts Commission Fellow, John Beder is a true community leader, using the art of film to strengthen, challenge, and heal his city, leaving an undeniable mark on the narrative of the American South and beyond. John, Katie, and Bedrock Productions have since moved to Australia to pursue their next chapter of community-centered filmmaking.

Want to Know More About the Arts in Chattanooga?

Sign up for our updates and we will keep you informed.