Seeking Mavis Beacon

Seeking Mavis Beacon revisits the iconic Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing software, first released in the late 1980s and instrumental in teaching an entire generation to type. For many young Black women, the poised, professional woman on the software’s cover became an early symbol of possibility and aspiration. Yet the figure they admired never truly existed.

Debut filmmaker Jazmin Jones, joined by Olivia Ross of Black Girls Code, embarks on a deeply personal investigation into the creation of Mavis Beacon and the real woman whose image shaped the character. Their journey uncovers the complexities behind her disappearance from public view and raises urgent questions about how marginalised bodies are used, consumed and erased within the tech industry. The film becomes a powerful and timely reflection on trust, representation and the narratives we cling to during moments of technological transformation.

Seeking Mavis Beacon aligns closely with exhibiting artist Sophie Mak‑Schram’s practice, echoing her interest in re-examining histories, tracing lineages and imagining alternative futures.