Short films include Dottie, Day of a Stranger, LOTUS, and Larry Rosenberg: Long Path Home. Program includes live virtual Q&amp;A on Thursday, May 20, Noon PDT with:&nbsp;Dandan Liu, director, DottieCassidy Hall, director, Day of a StrangerAngelika Fürstler, director, LOTUSMarty Ostrow, director, Larry Rosenberg: Long Path Home

Dottie Dottie, an 86-year-old New Mexican matriarch and breast cancer survivor, shares intimate stories and words of deep wisdom in this lyrical short. This film elegantly weaves together scenes of her childhood, middle-aged years, and elderhood, ultimately coming full circle. Dottie’s healing through cancer leads her to discover what matters the most to her: how to transcend illness and love yourself at the end. May we all have such compassion for ourselves—and others.

Dottie

Stories, words of wisdom from a cancer survivor and matriarch

Day of a Stranger Do we need to retreat from the world in order to love it more deeply? Contemplatives answer, "Yes." Day of a Stranger immerses us in an intimate portrait of world-renowned Trappist monk, mystic, and author, Thomas Merton. We find him through interwoven images of his hermitage nestled deep in the woods of Kentucky, and through rare audio recordings he made in isolation. A prolific writer, Merton dialogued with many world-thought luminaries. This is meditative filmmaking at its best. It pieces together a glimpse into the consciousness of one of the twentieth century’s most brilliant minds.

Day of a Stranger

Exploring the life of religious thinker Thomas Merton, twentieth-century giant

LOTUS Inspired by Angelika’s near-death experience and personal awakening, we are immersed in a cycle of rebirth, growth, and transformation. Both dramatic and poetic, LOTUS invites the viewer to dive deep within, to reconnect with the soul, and to experience the profound power of life.

LOTUS

A near-death experience as invitation to transform

Larry Rosenberg: Long Path Home As we witness a consciousness revolution around the world, the practice of mindfulness meditation is reaching nearly every facet of our society; a major role that has been played by American Buddhist teacher, Larry Rosenberg. This biographical portrait recounts the remarkable story of how his life-long search for self-discovery has helped thousands find freedom from suffering. Through his intimate retelling and unique humor, we learn how his life-long friend, Jon Kabat-Zinn, introduced him to Vipasanna, ultimately leading to the creation of one of the nation’s most vibrant contemplative centers for meditation learning and practice.

Larry Rosenberg: Long Path Home

One man’s journey helping thousands achieve inner peace

REEL HEALING: Introduction to Insight Meditation | With Narayan Liebenson Be introduced to a community of Vipassana practitioners—and an institution—that endeavors to follow the Buddha’s path of ethics, tranquility, wisdom, and compassion. This REEL HEALING will include a guided introductory practice of insight meditation. The Cambridge Insight Meditation Center is an urban refuge and teaching center.

REEL HEALING: Introduction to Insight Meditation | With Narayan Liebenson

Live Virtual Q&amp;A on Thursday, May 20, Noon PDT with:&nbsp;Dandan Liu, director, DottieCassidy Hall, director, Day of a StrangerAngelika Fürstler, director, LOTUSMarty Ostrow, director, Larry Rosenberg: Long Path Home

Live Q&A: Conscious Shorts II – Freedom in Contemplation

Conscious Shorts II – Freedom in Contemplation

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ILLUMINATE Film Festival is the world's premier festival for conscious cinema, dedicated to elevating consciousness, inspiring lasting transformation, and catalyzing personal and planetary well-being.

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