Mahil Senathirajah
The Illuminate Film Festival (IFF) migrated from Sedona, Arizona to its new home in Santa Barbara last year, and was welcomed with open arms, selling out the Lobero and becoming a unique stop on our cultural calendar. IFF’s ambitious mission is “to elevate human consciousness and inspire lasting personal, social and planetary transformation through film and media.”
Given our personal and collective turmoil these days, IFF could not arrive at a more auspicious time.
Opening Night
Opening night (May 1, Granada Theater) offers a rare convergence of three of the world’s most influential voices for compassionate change.
Global visionary Lynne Twist (author of “Living a Committed Life: Finding Freedom and Fulfillment in a Purpose Larger Than Yourself” and “The Soul of Money”) will provide the keynote address, offering the audience insight and encouragement to contribute to positive change in these challenging times. A much sought-after speaker, Twist has worked with Jane Goodall and Deepak Chopra and was featured on Oprah Winfrey’s “Super Soul” podcast. She is a passionate “proactivist” focused on positive action and is committed to alleviating poverty and empowering the status of women and girls.
The opening night film, “Wisdom of Happiness”, executive produced by Richard Gere, features an engaging dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in what may be one of his last film appearances. Almost 90 years of age, His Holiness shares his wisdom and reflections garnered through his remarkable life. Notes Teana David, IFF’s Artistic Director, the film “demonstrates the connection between cultivating inner awareness and creating a caring civilization”.
Actor Ed Begley Jr. will present Jean-Michel Cousteau, President and CEO of Ocean Futures Society, with the ILLUMINATE Media Change-Maker Lifetime Achievement Award. Santa Barbaran Jean-Michel Cousteau has produced over 80 films, received the Emmy and Peabody Awards, and continues to produce wide-ranging environmental programs. This May, Jean-Michel will celebrate his 87th birthday in Fiji by launching a multi-year campaign: “Adventures of a Lifetime: 80 Years of Diving and Exploration” — a celebration of legacy, impact, and a continued call to action for ocean protection and for future generations.
The evening will kick off with a soul-stirring performance by world-renowned recording artist Donna De Lory who has worked with Carly Simon, Belinda Carlisle and Madonna. LA-based dance group LUME Apex will also perform bringing their innovative choreography and diverse dance styles which push the boundaries of dance performance.
Paralleling the call to “take to the streets” to create social change, IFF encourages us to “take to the theater”, with opening night offering a sanctuary of hope and possibility that manifests Illuminate’s philosophy that “lasting change starts from within.”
The Events
Central to Illuminate’s approach is providing audiences with creative design spaces in which to engage with one another, build connection, share ideas and have fun. The Glow Pass ($385) provides access to the following social events:
– The Happy Heart Hour at 4pm at Art and Soul on State St. on May 1
– The Opening Night Party at 9pm at Kiva Cowork on May 1
– The Saturday Night Dance Party at 8pm at 28 Vic on May 3
The Films
Under the banner of this year’s theme, “Looking Through the Lens of Love”, IFF will present 14 inspiring feature films and a selection of shorts that explore spirituality, the environment, personal transformation, social change and health and wellness.
Each film will be followed by an opportunity for audiences to engage with the subject matter. This include Q&A’s with filmmakers, film participants, and community leaders. After three select films (“Wolf’s Message”, “Finding Happy” and “The Journey”), audiences can stay for “REEL Integrations”, 15-20-minute guided experiences that allow attendees to assimilate what they have seen in the film
There is something for everyone. A few intriguing highlights include:
The Dalai Lama’s Gift: As a bookend to the Wisdom of Happiness, The Dalai Lama’s Gift uses mesmerizing historical footage, that was locked away in the Smithsonian, to recount the 1981 historic Kalachakra Tantra temple initiation in Wisconsin that heralded Tibetan Buddhism’s arrival in America. The film will be followed by a panel titled Tantra: Imagining What You Can Be with director Ed Bastian, Losang Samten, Vesna Wallace and moderated by Téana David.
Feeding Tomorrow: Up against a broken food system suffering from ecosystem destruction, climate change, health epidemics, and inequality, a brave group of visionary leaders in agriculture, healthcare, and education work to build a more just and regenerative food system. The post-film discussion will be moderated by Geoff Green and features restauranteur Sherry Villanueva and Michael Ableman from Fairview Gardens.
Finding Happy (free community screening) One of the goals of Illuminate is to support and bring together the Santa Barbara community. Accordingly, Illuminate is hosting a free community screening of “Finding Happy” which follows the healing journey of a heartbroken woman and an injured baby sparrow. As part of the fun, stay after for a “REEL integration” session with intuitive animal communicator, Jamie Wozny. The film screens Sunday, May 4, 10:30 am at the New Vic Theater and everyone is welcome.
How to Attend
Illuminate Film Festival
Thursday, May 1 to Sunday, May 4
May 1: Opening Night – Granada Theater
May 2 – 4: Film Screenings at the New Vic Theater
For More Information: www.illuminatefilmfestival.com
To Buy Opening Night: opening night tickets are $50 and can be purchase directly from the Granada Box office: https://ticketing.granadasb.org/; Box Office: 805-899-2222
To Buy Tickets: Individual film tickets range from $15 to $30 and include the Q&A. They are available at www.illumintefilmfestival.com
To Buy Passes: Glow passes include all films and events/parties and are only $385. Other passes are also available at ILLUMINATE Film Festival 2025 Passes
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