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ILLUMINATE Film Festival reveals full Line-Up
ILLUMINATE stands at the forefront of the conscious film movement, dedicated to inspiring lasting personal and planetary transformation through the power of visual storytelling. As the world's premier showcase for films that unite and uplift us, we curate a profound experience that goes beyond entertainment—it's a journey of individual and collective awakening.
We're thrilled to unveil our 2025 festival theme—Looking Through the Lens of Love. This theme explores the transformative power of love—its potential to heal, unite, and reveal the boundless beauty and grace that surround us. In these times of profound uncertainty, divisiveness, and disconnection from our planet and each other, we invite you to expand your consciousness through the universal language of the heart.
This year's festival poster artwork, created by local Santa Barbara artist Tricia Evenson, combines hand-painted and digitally collaged images that explore the confluence of art, spirituality, science, and technology. By way of creative and collaborative storytelling, we are encouraged to view the "Lens of Love" as a portal to personal transformation and collective planetary healing.
Passes are available NOW - get yours to reserve your seats before individual tickets go on sale April 1!
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EXTRAORDINARY FILMS THAT CHANGE LIVES
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Wolf’s Message
The powerful true story of Michael “Wolf” Pasakarnis, who was struck and killed by lightning and left profound evidence that he knew how, when, and where it would happen. With the help of evidence-based medium Suzanne Giesemann, the film offers undeniable proof of consciousness beyond the physical body and challenges our understanding of life, love, and the soul’s eternal journey.
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The Dalai Lama’s Gift
Witness never-before-seen footage of the Dalai Lama's historic first U.S. Kalachakra initiation that launched Tibetan Buddhism in America. This forgotten chapter of spiritual history was captured on film, then locked away in the Smithsonian—until now.
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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 in their communities - giving rise to a new global vision of “Feeding Tomorrow”.
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Turtle Walker
In the late 1970s, Satish Bhaskar embarked on an epic journey along India's coastline and the spectacular Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he uncovered the vital nesting beaches of sea turtles. During his death-defying quest, he unravels mysteries surrounding these enigmatic ocean creatures – and sets out to save them from extinction.
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: POWERHOUSE KEYNOTES AT ILLUMINATE’S INDUSTRY HIVE
We're thrilled to announce two exceptional keynote speakers at our Industry Hive on May 1st:
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Chaz Ebert, publisher of RogerEbert.com and champion of compassionate filmmaking, brings unparalleled insight into cinema's power to transform hearts and minds as the steward of Roger Ebert's legacy of films as "empathy machines" – works that allow us to walk in another's shoes.
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Sheva Carr, Co-Director at HeartMath Healthcare, will share her pioneering work in heart-centered approaches to well-being and social transformation. Her expertise in cardiac coherence and its relationship to empathy and emotional intelligence offers filmmakers powerful tools to create truly transformative media.
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The Industry Hive is the world's only film and television industry event dedicated to nurturing the emerging conscious media global movement, bringing together writers, directors, producers, and investors toward the greater goal of supporting humanity's collective awakening through media storytelling.
The Industry Hive Pass is available as a stand-alone option OR as an add-on to other passes. No additional pass required!
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BEYOND WATCHING: BECOME PART OF THE EXPERIENCE
ILLUMINATE isn't just about passive viewing—it's a fully immersive journey:
REEL INTEGRATION WORKSHOPS
Our signature post-film experiences help you metabolize powerful insights and translate them into lasting personal transformation. Work directly with film subjects and experts to integrate what you've witnessed.
CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY
Connect with fellow seekers, thought leaders, and changemakers in our Festival Hub—a vibrant center for meaningful conversation and unexpected connections that often last a lifetime.
The ILLUMINATURE PROGRAMMING TRACK
Experience our curated selection of films celebrating Indigenous wisdom, earth stewardship, and ecological solutions that offer genuine hope in these challenging times.
$25,000 MICRO-SHORT CONTEST
Be among the first to witness the finalists of our "Oneness of Humanity" contest inspired by the Dalai Lama's message. These powerful 90-second films celebrating love, kindness, and joy will remind you of our essential interconnectedness.
YOUR PASS IS YOUR PORTAL TO TRANSFORMATION
GUARANTEED ACCESS: Many films will sell out before individual tickets become available on April 1st. Pass Holders can secure their seats before everyone else
VIP TREATMENT: Priority seating at all screenings means you'll never miss a moment
EXCLUSIVE EVENTS: Some experiences are available ONLY to pass holders
FESTIVAL COMMUNITY: Become part of our conscious community of change-makers
COMPLETE IMMERSION: The full experience is transformative in ways individual screenings can't match
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THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE: UNIVERSE PASS
For those seeking the deepest level of engagement with conscious cinema:
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COMPLETE ACCESS: All festival programming plus guaranteed entry (no reservations needed)
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INDUSTRY IMMERSION: Full access to our Industry Hive featuring keynotes by Chaz Ebert and Sheva Carr
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EXCLUSIVE CONNECTION: Invitation to the intimate pre-screening Closing Night VIP reception
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LEGACY IMPACT: $425 tax-deductible contribution supports our mission of elevating consciousness through film
Very limited quantity available—this exclusive offering sells out every year.
At ILLUMINATE, we believe that media, in its higher octave expression, can be used to unite us – by sharing the truth of who we are – rather than divide us. Through the films we curate, we create space to be curious and empathetic toward others' experiences and collectively dream into a new way of being together.
With gratitude,
The ILLUMINATE Team
P.S. Remember that pass holders get first access to reserve seats starting TODAY, before individual tickets go on sale April 1st. Many of our most powerful films sell out during this window—don't miss your opportunity to secure your spot.
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Santa Barbara Locals: Volunteer & See Films Free!
Become part of the ILLUMINATE Film Festival experience! As a volunteer, you'll receive vouchers for free film screenings (1 voucher good for 2 films per 4 hours volunteered). At-event volunteers can also watch films during shifts when space permits.
Join our community of passionate volunteers who make this transformative festival possible!
Volunteer today →
Only available to Santa Barbara area residents
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Chatelin Bruno 
