ILLUMINATE Film Festival Announces its 2022 Lineup for its Eighth Annual Event

ILLUMINATE Film Festival Announces its 2022 Lineup for its Eighth Annual Event

Sedona, Arizona – Oct 17, 2022 – ILLUMINATE Film Festival, the nation’s premier conscious film festival, returns with a hybrid virtual and in-person format offering a stellar lineup of films, premieres, panels, Luminary Living Room workshops, parties, and special events for its 8^thannual showcase, Nov 5-6th in Sedona, AZ and Nov 6th -13th online.

ILLUMINATE has made it its mission to discover and exhibit cinematic gems that elevate consciousness and inspire personal, community and planetary transformation. The festival has aimed to foster and advance the genre of conscious cinema, earning it a reputation as the nation’s leading festival of its kind and a haven where conscious films and filmmakers are discovered, industry connections are made, enlightened ideas are shared, and audiences are transformed.

IN-PERSON FESTIVAL Highlights

ILLUMINATE begins November 5th at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. In conjunction with the World Premiere Screening of Facing Fear, one man’s global journey to discover how to best manage his fear, audiences will revel in an unforgettable Luminary Living Room Workshop and Q&A with acclaimed author and medium James Van Praagh, and spiritual leader and radio host, Sister Jenna.

Opening Night Film and Awards - Join us as we honor three Sedona leaders who embody the spirit of love and service, as exemplified by the protagonist in our Opening Night Film Amma’s Way: A Journey To Embrace The World Again. In this North American premiere, audiences watch Amma, known globally as the hugging saint, embrace philanthropy and demonstrate astonishing exemplary acts of love,  care, and kindness. Recipients of the Spirit of Service Awards include Barry Maketansky, Verde Valley Sanctuary, Lisa Dahl, Executive Chef & Owner, Dahl Restaurant Group, and Linda Goldenstein, President, Goldenstein Gallery.

Attendees will close the evening with a VIP Opening Night Party at the new Pisa Lisa in the Village of Oak Creek. Pisa Lisa opens its doors to welcome festival filmmakers, speakers, and VIP attendees to celebrate ILLUMINATE with savory bites, gelato, and complimentary kombucha from Wild Tonic.

New this year, the community is invited to a Free Community Screening of Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song, Q&A, and Choral Flash Mob at SPAC on Nov 5th. 500 VOICES UNITE! Calling all voices and lovers of transcendent musical moments. We need you for the BIGGEST CHORAL FLASH MOB in Sedona history! Join professional singers Demiyr, Sophia Angeles, Ananda Das, and others as we sing “Hallelujah!” Let’s create not just music, but fellowship. Reservations begin on October 12.

On Sunday, Nov 6th, the festival will host a Spotlight Screening of LOVE HEALS at Mary D. Fisher Theatre. What is the key to overcoming chronic pain and suffering? Join Dana’s search.

Community Events include:

• Pre-Fest Kickoff & Dance Party at Sedonya Conscious Living Center.
• Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song - Free community screening
• Conscious Community brunch at ChocolaTree
• Soulful Sound Healing Integration at Sedonya Conscious Living Center

Enjoy an opening ceremony, short film, and live performance by Sedona Dance Project, then dance to pop hits, Latin grooves, and ecstatic trance by SedonaDances.com.

VIRTUAL FESTIVAL Screenings

Festivities continue with a week-long global virtual festival (Nov 6-13), screening 7 films alongside filmmaker Q&As and Reel Healings. The virtual component launches with Gratitude Revealed, a transformational, cinematic experience of how to live a more meaningful life full of gratitude, followed by a live conversation with director Louie Schwartzberg and wisdom teacher Lynne Twist.

ILLUMINATE announces the complete lineup of films for both the in-person and virtual programing and individual tickets and festival passes are on sale now and can be purchased at https://2022.illuminatefilmfestival.com

Facing Fear | World Premiere | In-Theater (SPAC)

What is fear exactly? How does it work? Do we really need fear? Devastating personal news catapulted filmmaker Bill Bennett into fear. Then, as the pandemic hit, fear turned global. Bennett travels the globe to seek answers in this extraordinary examination of fear. We hear from experts such as Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Caroline Myss, James Van Praagh, Sister Jenna, Lee Carroll, Paul Selig, Foster Gamble, Michael Tamura, and more.

(Australia 2022, 87 mins d: Bill Bennett)

Amma's Way: A Journey to Embrace the World Again | North American Premiere | In-Theater (SPAC)

Meet a force of nature. Experience the astounding love, compassion, and joy of a visionary woman known as Amma. A tireless spiritual leader and creator of astonishing humanitarian enterprises, she inspires millions worldwide with her culture of care and service. Amma's darshan – hugs – shows us the compelling power of the heart, which may be the one thing that creates the dramatic shift this world needs. (Italy 2022, 85 mins d: Anna Agnelli)

Love Heals | In-Theater (MDF)

An estimated 50 million people suffer from chronic pain in the US alone. Are you one of them? For Dana, two unsuccessful spinal surgeries lead her to an ancient energy principle that has helped thousands heal. Featuring Dr. Bruce Lipton and other health experts, this film explores how a method of energy flow in the body can help us heal ourselves and awaken to life with a clear mind, open heart, and balance within. (USA 2022, 83 mins d: Krisanna Sexton)

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song | In-Theater (SPAC)

Unbeknownst to many, legendary singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen was a spiritual seeker, preoccupied with unlocking the greater mysteries. He explored the infinite as he fashioned his internationally-renowned hymn, “Hallelujah.” His search led him from Judaism to secular life, and ultimately to the teachings of Zen Buddhism, all of which influenced his life and lyrics. This documentary weaves Cohen's life, the song’s journey from reject to chart-topping hit, and moving testimonies from major recording artists for whom “Hallelujah” has become a personal touchstone. Features Clive Davis, Judy Collins, Rufus Wainwright, Bob Dylan, and k.d. Lang. (USA 2021, 118 mins d: Daniel Geller & Dayna Goldfine)

Gratitude Revealed| Virtual

How do we live a more meaningful life? In an epic journey forty years in the making, Gratitude Revealed, from acclaimed filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg (Fantastic Fungi), reveals gratitude as a proven pathway back from the disconnection we feel in our lives – to reconnect with ourselves, our planet, and each other. Featuring Deepak Chopra, Jack Kornfield, Lynne Twist, Michael Beckwith, Jason Silva, Norman Lear, and others. (USA 2022, 82 mins d: Louie Schwartzberg)

Carbon - The Unauthorized Biography | Arizona Premiere | Virtual

With Carbon in the news every day, you might think you know everything about “her.” But you’d be wrong. This spectacular and surprisingly unorthodox documentary reveals the paradoxical story of the element that builds all life – and yet may end it all. Carbon reminds us of our humble participation in the most extraordinary story in the universe. (Australia and Canada 2021, 90 mins d: Daniella Ortega & Niobe Thompson)

Crows are White | Arizona Premiere | Virtual

After decades of living a secret life, a filmmaker travels to a strict Japanese monastery in search of guidance. But what happens when the only monk who will help him prefers ice cream and heavy metal over meditation? Crows are White answers with truth, faith, and love – from the top of a mountain to the bottom of a sundae. (USA 2022, 97 mins d: Ahsen Nadeem)

The Sound of Us | Virtual

Directed by Chris Gero, winner of nine Emmys, The Sound of Us documents music as the great universal language. It weaves inspirational stories about the beauty and goodness of music, while also allowing us to express our sadness and honesty. Music, we find, brings hope, courage, and healing, and keeps our history alive. It even sheds light on current struggles – and invites a return to unity. (USA 2021, 118 mins d: Chris Gero)

The Invisible Extinction | Southwest Premiere | Virtual

Travel around the globe as two microbiologists race to save our vanishing microbes before they’re gone. Why are they vanishing? Why do we need them? How do we save our gut microbiome? The answers will surprise you! (USA 2022, 85 mins d: Steven Lawrence & Sarah Schenck)

Go Heal Yourself | Southwest Premiere | Virtual

In this comprehensive documentary, Yasmin C. Rams set out on a journey to find out if there is merit to alternative treatments for her epilepsy. She does this against the wishes of her strong-headed father, who believes alternative medicine is quackery. Yasmin encounters inspiring people from around the world who treat their chronic illnesses using natural medicine, from hypnotherapy to qi gong and CBD to Ayurveda. (Germany 2021, 105 mins d: Yasmin C. Rams)

Antidote | World Premiere | Virtual

Look beyond conventional medicine and explore healing from the Amazon rainforest. Using song and ceremony, plant medicine, and shamans, our group of traumatized Westerners experiences the wisdom of the earth and the interconnectedness of all things. (UK, USA, Ecuador, Peru 2022, 78 mins d: Marc Silver)

Thanks to our Principal Sponsors for helping to support the Festival; Omega Institute, Spirituality & Health, Sedona Chamber of Commerce, and Dahl Restaurant Group.

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Press Contact:

For more information, images, event access, or to schedule an interview, please contact Tiffany Brown | at 425-442-9642 | prstuntgirls@gmail.com

About ILLUMINATE:

They are a 501(c)(3) sponsored organization pioneering the growth of the emerging conscious film movement. Its mission is to elevate human consciousness and inspire lasting transformation through cinema. The vision is to serve as the global hub for Conscious Cinema.

To learn more about ILLUMINATE or to purchase tickets, visit: 2022.illuminatefilmfestival.com