PRESS RELEASE

ILLUMINATE Film Festival to Relocate to Santa Barbara in 2024

Sedona, Arizona - October 3, 2023

ILLUMINATE Film Festival, an annual celebration of cinema that inspires personal and social transformation, announced today that it will be relocating to Santa Barbara, California, beginning in 2024.

After 9 successful years in Sedona, the 10th annual ILLUMINATE Film Festival will take place April 5-14th, 2024, with three days of in-person screenings, filmmaker workshops, and VIP parties in Santa Barbara. This destination event will be followed by a 7-day online festival which allows a global audience to tune in to the latest in transformative film. ILLUMINATE will continue to have a presence in Sedona with periodic screenings and gatherings.

"We're incredibly grateful for the many rich years we've spent in Sedona under the leadership of former Executive Director, Danette Wolpert, and for the enthusiastic community there who supported ILLUMINATE from day one," says Téana David, ILLUMINATE’s new Executive Director. “Our intention is to increase the quantity, quality, and accessibility of films that move humanity forward. Proximity to Los Angeles will support that mission.”

ILLUMINATE Film Festival showcases narrative and documentary films that open hearts and spark imaginations, inspiring enlightened action within ourselves, our communities, and the world. Over the past decade, the Festival has showcased hundreds of socially conscious films to sold-out crowds, featuring topics such as holistic health, spirituality, social evolution, arts & culture, and earth stewardship. For its Santa Barbara debut next year, ILLUMINATE will curate another exceptional line-up of films and introduce a new programming pillar, IllumiNATURE, which will highlight the intelligence of nature, regenerative agriculture, Indigenous wisdom teachings, and innovative ecological solutions.

“One of the cornerstones of ILLUMINATE is meaningful community connection,” says Ms. David, “so whether it be through our post-screening discussions, mentorship sessions, immersive experiences, receptions, or filmmaker networking events, we’re excited for this aspect of the festival to take root in our new Santa Barbara home.”

Submissions for the 2024 festival are now open on FilmFreeway and passes to attend the festival will go on sale in mid-October. A Benefit Cinema Soirée event will take place on November 14th at The Music Academy in Montecito. To stay up-to-date on the latest Festival news and be alerted to early bird ticket sales, visit https://2024.illuminatefilmfestival.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Name: Morgan Richmond
Phone: 928-421-1108
Email: press@illuminatefilmfestival.com

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