Light emission control is reported in anisotropic Langmuir-Blodgett films from a poly(p-phenylene vinylene) derivative. The films are considered as containing long conjugated segments in the dipping direction, which are efficient emitters, with the short conjugated segments perpendicular to the dipping direction. Because the latter mainly transfer energy to adjacent chains, an interplay between light emission and energy transfer is exploited in further controlling emission, which depends on the polarization of the light. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.