PRESS RELEASE

2017 ILLUMINATE Film Festival Announces Exciting Lineup of Cinema Luminaries at Conscious Film Convergence

Sedona, Arizona – March 20, 2017 – Some of the most influential leaders working to advance conscious film content will headline this year's Conscious Film Convergence (CFC) in Sedona, Arizona June 2-4, 2017. CFC is the industry component of the ILLUMINATE Film Festival, the nation's premier festival for conscious cinema. Geared to filmmakers, CFC offers attendees a valuable opportunity to learn from and interact with speakers at sessions and nightly parties.

The Keynote Speaker will be award-winning cinematographer, director, producer, and time-lapse pioneer, Louis Schwartzberg presenting "Catalyzing Positive Change in Trying Times". His talk will address how cinema can be used create the shift in consciousness needed to sustain and celebrate life. Louis' three TED talks have gone viral with almost 50 million combined views.

Sandra de Castro Buffington, Founding Director of the UCLA Global Media Center for Social Impact will lead a discussion on "Storytelling for Conscious Impact" between filmmakers and scriptwriters who are communicating deeper messages to mainstream audiences.

Lydia B. Smith who made Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago, will address "Intuitive Filmmaking" by presenting a case study on how the intention of creating the highest and greatest good amplifies your results. When making her award-winning, hit documentary, Ms. Smith put into practice spiritual learnings that paved the way to a $1.6 million theatrical gross worldwide.

ILLUMINATE is also bringing Billie Goldman, the Global Campaign Manager of Intel, and Henry Arlander the Managing Director of the award winning agency, Pereira & O'Dell to present "Big Brands, Big Money, Conscious Content". They will discuss how big name brands like Intel, Samsung and Dove are becoming a major source of funding for conscious filmmakers.

Elizabeth Sheldon, COO of Bond/360, Jim Browne, President of Argot Pictures, Dan Truong, AVD Filmmaker Evangelist for Amazon Video Direct, and Mark Urman, CEO of Paladin are four key players in the distribution of conscious films who will participate in a panel discussion on "Distribution Evolution". This session will address the various models these experts are using to find successes through DIY, hybrid, and all rights distribution.

CFC early bird discounts are available until April 10th for $249. CFC tickets are also included in an All-Access pass that gives entry to all 22 films, parties and CFC events for $349.
For tickets go to: http://illuminatefilmfestival.com/tickets-passes.

ILLUMINATE Film Festival, the world's premier film festival for conscious cinema will be held May 31-June 4, 2017. CFC events will be held at the Sedona Performing Arts Center, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona, AZ.

For more information, visit www.ILLUMINATEFilmFestival.com.

Contact: Morgan Richmond (928) 421-1108