ILLUMINATE Film Festival to Honor Jean-Michel Cousteau with Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by Ed Begley Jr.

In a momentous addition to its opening night celebration, the ILLUMINATE Film Festival announced today that 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. The special presentation will take place during the festival’s opening night on May 1st at the historic Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara.

Honoring a Legacy of Ocean Advocacy and Exploration

This coincides with the 80th anniversary of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s first dive and his 87th birthday. Jean-Michel Cousteau has produced over 80 films, received the Emmy, the Peabody Award, the Sept d’Or, and the Cable Ace Award. Reaching millions of people globally through Ocean Futures Society, Jean-Michel Cousteau continues to produce environmentally oriented programs and television specials, public service announcements, multimedia programs for schools, web-based marine content, books, articles for magazines, newspaper columns, and public lectures.

Ed Begley Jr. has been considered an environmental leader in the Hollywood community for many years. He serves on the boards of The Coalition For Clean Air and The Thoreau Institute. His work in the environmental community has earned him awards from some of the most prestigious environmental groups in the nation, including the California League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, The Coalition for Clean Air, Heal the Bay, Santa Monica Baykeeper, and the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. Known for his practical approach to green living, Begley resides in a LEED Platinum-certified home near Los Angeles, rides his bicycle, and takes public transportation as part of his daily commitment to environmental stewardship.

The award presentation will follow a soul-stirring performance by world-renowned recording artist Donna De Lory, with dance by LA-based group LUME Apex, and precede the Santa Barbara premiere of “Wisdom of Happiness,” executive produced by Richard Gere and featuring His Holiness the Dalai Lama in what may be his final film appearance.

The ILLUMINATE Film Festival, the world’s premier showcase for conscious cinema, runs May 1-4, 2025 in person in Santa Barbara, followed by a virtual festival May 5-11, 2025. This year’s program showcases over 20 films that cultivate empathy across boundaries and invite audiences to imagine new possibilities for our collective future.

Festival passes providing access to the Opening Night event are available now at illuminatefilmfestival.com. Individual tickets for Opening Night are on sale now through The Granada at ticketing.granadasb.org.

About Jean-Michel Cousteau, President and CEO, Ocean Futures Society

Jean-Michel Cousteau, President and CEO of Ocean Futures Society, is deeply honored to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award from Illuminate Film Festival as a “Lifetime Media Change Maker.” This recognition is especially meaningful given Illuminate’s alignment with our values and its dedication to positive global impact.

Jean-Michel launched Ocean Futures Society in 1999, following the passing of his beloved father, Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. He has continued his family’s legacy with passion and purpose, producing numerous acclaimed films and receiving recognition such as the Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Special for Cousteau: Mississippi, and the Attenborough Award for Excellence in Nature Filmmaking.  With over 80 years of diving and exploration that began aboard the Calypso and Alcyone, Jean-Michel remains a tireless advocate for the ocean. As an environmental diplomat, educator, and storyteller, he inspires people of all ages to take action and protect the life systems that sustain us all. Through Ocean Futures Society, he leads initiatives that influence policy, energize communities, and build global alliances for sustainable change.

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.

About Ed Begley Jr.

As environmental issues become more pressing, there are two possible responses: forget it and hope that government and corporations will figure it out, or take action yourself. In the “take action yourself” camp, a few individuals are leading the way. One such person in California is Ed Begley, Jr. Turning up at Hollywood events on his bicycle, Ed has been considered an environmental leader in the Hollywood community for many years. He serves on the boards of The Coalition For Clean Air, and The Thoreau Institute. His work in the environmental community has earned him a number of awards from some of the most prestigious environmental groups in the nation, including the California League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, The Coalition for Clean Air, Heal the Bay, Santa Monica Baykeeper, and the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. He currently lives near Los Angeles in a LEED Platinum home, rides his bike and takes public transportation. His website is www.edbegley.com

About ILLUMINATE Film Festival

ILLUMINATE is the world’s premier festival for conscious cinema, a transformative showcase where film transcends entertainment to become a catalyst for awakening. The festival curates films that spark curiosity and self-reflection while providing post-film discussions that help audiences translate insights into lasting transformation.

Media Contact:

Mari Angulo
mari@illuminatefilmfestival.com
Public Relations, ILLUMINATE