ILLUMINATE FILM FESTIVAL 2024
Movies Make Movements Happen
It’s a wrap!
Congratulations to our award winners!
Audience Award for Best Feature Film – Wilding
Audience Award for Best Short Film – Eat Flowers
IllumiNATURE Award – Wilding
Higher Ground Award – Fantastic Fungi: Remastered
Evolutionary Film Award presented by ManguTV ($2,500 cash prize) – Wilding
HoloMovie Award for a film that best represents the principles of the Holomovement
($5,000 cash prize) – Abundance: The FarmLink Story
Local Luminary Award – Eva Haller
In Partnership with the Holomovement
ILLUMINATE is the world’s leading film festival for evolutionary cinema. Newly relocated in 2024 to the stunning backdrop of Santa Barbara, California, after a decade in Sedona, Arizona, the festival continues to be a global online phenomenon as well.
ILLUMINATE In-Person and Virtual Festival
Santa Barbara Apr 5-7 | Apr 8-14 Globally Online
Experience the Festival Two Ways
IN-PERSON
APRIL 5 – 7
You can purchase individual film tickets below in the Film Lineup section.
VIRTUAL
APRIL 8 – 14
Virtual films are available online worldwide. See the Virtual Film Catalog for more information.
Film Lineup & Tickets
Love Over Money
KEYNOTE BY DEEPAK CHOPRA
OPENING NIGHT FILM
IN-PERSON ONLY
Groomed as the heir apparent to the Baskin-Robbins ice-cream empire, John Robbins was in line to inherit what had become a billion-dollar empire. Concerned about the detrimental environmental impact of the company’s products, and in disagreement with his father over the Vietnam war, John makes a decision that no one could have predicted.
Best-selling author Deepak Chopra joins us LIVE to welcome ILLUMINATE to our new Santa Barbara home! Deepak offers a keynote address highlighting the unseen fabric that unites us all and the universal power of cinema to transmit this truth.
Followed by Q&A with co-directors James Colquhoun and and Laurentine ten Bosch.
This film is sponsored by the Joan Sanger Charitable Trust.
WATCH TRAILER
UNVEILED: Joyce Tenneson & the Heroine's Journey
IN-PERSON & ONLINE
A window into the life of a groundbreaking female photographer as she fights to express her artistic voice, and suffers the fallout of a 45-year-old secret. The audience must contemplate the many conflicts that arise from being an artist and mother — and in broader terms, the mistakes and compromises that are inevitably made on the road to living a life of wholeness.
Followed by a live presentation with Joyce Tenneson.
This film is sponsored by Pacifica Graduate Institute.
WATCH TRAILER
Buy Virtual Festival Tickets HERE
Source
WORLD PREMIERE
IN-PERSON ONLY
For the first time in history, an in-depth study has been performed that allows science to define what happens when we meditate. This informational documentary reveals new scientific data on how meditation shapes everything from our mind to the tiniest cell molecules in our body.
Followed by a special ILLUMINATE live in-person presentation by Dr. Joe Dispenza.
This film is sponsored by Dina and Dave Cantin.
The both screenings of Source have reached capacity but Rush Line may be available. Any empty seats at 15 minutes before the film will be available to rush line ticket holders.
WATCH TRAILER
The Natural Law
IN-PERSON & ONLINE
The Natural Law explores one man’s decade-long journey back to wellness by embracing a new life aligned with nature’s code. When conventional medical treatment failed to cure Amish Shah’s life-threatening illnesses, he turns to Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old science designed to reconnect humanity with nature’s healing wisdom.
Preceded by the short film I Am the Nature.
Followed by a live conversation featuring the film’s director, Amish Shah, author Deepak Chopra, Ayurvedic practitioner, Corinna Maharani, and herbalist and Teeccino founder, Caroline MacDougall.
This film is sponsored by Alternative to Meds and Maharani Ayurveda.
WATCH TRAILER
Buy Virtual Festival Tickets HERE
UnCharitable
IN-PERSON & ONLINE
Led by Dan Pallotta, whose record-breaking TED Talk on the subject has inspired leading philanthropists and changemakers, this documentary exposes the dark side of philanthropy and introduces a radical new way of giving.
Followed by a panel featuring Community Environmental Council CEO, Sigrid Wright, producer of the film, Meredith Blake, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, Pedro Paz, and CEO of Northern Santa Barbara County United Way, Eddie Taylor. Moderated by Geoff Green.
This film is sponsored by CalNonprofits.
WATCH TRAILER
Buy Virtual Festival Tickets HERE
Fantastic Fungi: Remastered
SPECIAL 5TH
ANNIVERSARY EDITION
IN-PERSON ONLY
In celebration of its 5th Anniversary, this special remastered edition of Fantastic Fungi offers an enhanced big-screen experience of the amazing living network under our feet. Through the eyes of renowned scientists, artists and mycologists like Paul Stamets, Michael Pollan, Eugenia Bone, Andrew Weil and others, we become aware of the solutions that the fungi kingdom offers.
Opening address live with Louie Schwartzberg, with special introduction by artist, Belle Hahn.
Followed by a mind-expanding panel presentation about the role of psilocybin and other psychedelics in personal and planetary healing, featuring Louie Schwartzberg and Jacob Tell.
Wilding
IN-PERSON ONLY
Based on Isabella Tree’s best-selling book by the same title, Wilding follows the adventures of a young couple who defies convention to reimagine their inherited family estate. Their grand rewilding experiment reveals an untapped power of nature to rebound, and offers hope for conserving biodiversity the world over.
Preceded by short films, Abundance: The Farmlink Story, Vertical Meadows, and Feeding Tomorrow (excerpt).
Followed by a panel with Feeding Tomorrow director, Oliver English, and other leaders of the local regenerative agriculture movement.
This film is sponsored by Anonymous Patron.
Confessions of A Good Samaritan
IN-PERSON & ONLINE
Director Penny Lane’s decision to become a “Good Samaritan” by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger launches her on an unexpectedly funny, intimate, and provocative quest to understand why everyone seems to think she’s crazy.
Followed by a panel exploring the power of empathy, featuring meditation instructor Sarah McLean, The Empathy Center director Edwin Rutsch, and Reverend Paulette Pipe.
WATCH TRAILER
Buy Virtual Festival Tickets HERE
What the Bleep Do We Know!?
IN-PERSON ONLY
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, this ground-breaking part documentary, part-narrative film, takes us on a whimsicle journey into the quantum field.
Followed by an exclusive Q&A with the film’s co-director, Will Arntz, and a bonus conversation with Mr. Arntz and Holomovement members including Core Synergist, Mariko Pitts, and author and social activist, Emanuel Kuntzelman.
WATCH TRAILER
Jacob the Baker
IN-PERSON ONLY
When a young, skeptical reporter is assigned to interview the author of a bestselling book series, she discovers the incredible story of how the author and his fictional character, Jacob, provide hope to countless people around the world. In the interview, the reporter’s own secret struggle comes to light, making her reconsider the author and her own life.
Followed by an in-depth interview with the Jacob the Baker series author, Noah benShea and Mary Chase.
WATCH TRAILER
Eva Haller: A Work in Progress
IN-PERSON ONLY
A film that celebrates the life of dedicated philanthropist, activist and mentor, Eva Haller, whose magnanimous heart and positive spirit, and zest for life are truly inspiring.
Eva Haller Award: presented by Santa Barbara artist and activist, Judi Wiesbart, the Local Luminary Award honors nonagenerian philanthropist, Holocaust survivor, and activist, Eva Haller.
With Special Offering from Lily Hahn
WATCH TRAILER
Poetry in Motion:
Shorts Program
ONLINE ONLY
Daughter of the Sea – A young woman experiences a spiritual awakening when she is called by Yemaya, the Orisha Goddess of the Sea.
Winding Path – An Eastern Shoshone medical student must find a way to heal before realizing her dream of a life in medicine.
I Am the Nature – A poetic documentary honoring the philosophy of the Amazonian Achuar people of Ecuador.
Around the Bend – A childhood memory sparks an exploration of the finite nature of life.
Eat Flowers – When a photographer learns that her best friend is diagnosed with Leukemia, she sets out to fill her world with color and light.
Abundance: The Farmlink Story – College students catalyze a national movement to end food insecurity in the United States.
The Village of Lovers
ONLINE ONLY
Over 40 years ago, a small group of German activists looked upon the horrors of World War II and the dysfunction of modernity, and united with a revolutionary vow: to build a true culture of peace. They quickly encountered the core shadows of human community, particularly in the realms of money, love, sex, and power. They recognized the necessity to regenerate trust as the foundation of generative relationships and the key to building a “future beyond war”.
Followed by an interview with the film’s co-director Ian MacKenzie.
WATCH TRAILER
Planetary Pilgrim
WORLD PREMIERE
ONLINE ONLY
Planetary Pilgrim follows a group of perfect strangers from different countries and walks of life as they come together to visit 17 sacred sites in 5 countries on 4 continents, opening up to themselves and to each other, and circling around the world in just 30 days to shed light on the critical importance our planet Earth plays in our human awakening, healing and progress.
Followed by an interview with the film’s director Dawa Tarchin Phillips.
WATCH TRAILER
Movies Make Movements Happen: Catalyzing the Holomovement
ONLINE ONLY
Join game-changing filmmakers and members of the Holomovement LIVE April 9th online as we come together in community to explore the power of cinema to spark synergistic social movements that have the potential to create a world that works for all.
The Holomovement offers a fusion of science and spirit that can ignite the evolutionary impulse in us and cohere, catalyze and synergize like-minded organizations and movements into a grand collaborative effort to address the world’s challenges.
Free. Open to the public. Reserve your ticket.
Workshops & Labs
Cultivate: We Are the Seeds
Legacy Art Santa Barbara
April 7, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
A Work In Progress Presentation & Discussion
Cultivate: We Are The Seeds is a documentary following five BIPOC youth climate activists from Los Angeles as they navigate the challenges of an intersectional movement for climate and social justice while preparing to reclaim Earth Day 2024 from a history of greenwashing.
Limited seats. RSVP required (including Passholders). Rush line at the door.
Holomovement Purpose Lab: Activate Your Role in the Whole
Legacy Art Santa Barbara
April 5, 10:30 – noon
Activate and unleash your purpose in new and exciting ways, using your unique gifts and talents to create waves of impact. This experiential workshop is a joyful exploration of your role in the whole and how collaboration and community can enrich its transformative power.
Open to the public. Limited seating.
All available seats have been reserved. We encourage you to show up in the RUSH LINE for available empty seats when the event begins.
Source to Screen Lab
The Empathy Center
April 8 – 12 Daily
This is an immersive week-long lab for creators of all kinds––writers, inventors, filmmakers, musicians, and entrepreneurs––anyone who wishes to integrate their spirituality and creativity to tap into the deepest source of inspiration.
Facilitated by award winning filmmakers Paola di Florio and Peter Rader.
This event is full.
Special Events
“First Thursday” Art Walk
Palma Colectiva in Victoria Court
Thursday, April 4
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
An informal gathering and reception.
Late Night Chill Lounge
Legacy Art Santa Barbara
Thursday, April 4
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Free event limited to 50 people.
First come, first served.
Tea and Meditation
Palma Colectiva in Victoria Court
Friday, April 5
9:00 am – 9:45 am
Seating limited to 20 badge holders.
Opening Night Party
Lobero Courtyard
Friday, April 5
9:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Reception and small bites.
Mingle with our community.
There is also a casual mixer in front of the theater at 5pm.
Soul on Fire Dance Party
SOhO Music Club
Saturday, April 6
8:00 pm –11:30 pm
Join us for music and dancing.
Badge holders do not need tickets.
Limited tickets for sale for non-badge holders.
Closing Night Celebration
The CEC HUB
Sunday, April 7
8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Join us for closing night celebrations
with light bites and music.
We Are Deeply Grateful to Our Sponsors!
Key Sponsor
Premier Sponsor
Contributing Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Media Sponsors
Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary
In our new Santa Barbara home, ILLUMINATE is more lit up than ever with our mission of elevating consciousness and inspiring lasting personal, community, and planetary transformation through cinema. We showcase ground-breaking narrative features, documentaries, episodic content, and shorts in the genre of transformational entertainment, delving into themes such as spirituality, mindfulness, health & wellness, human potential, science and quantum physics, environmental sustainability, and social action.
We hope you can join us for three fantastic days in Santa Barbara – but if you aren’t able to for some reason, you’ll want to be sure to join for the remaining seven days virtually – and invite friends to a watch party, because everything’s better when we shine together!
