ILLUMINATE Film Festival Individual Tickets Now Available!

May 1-4, 2025 | Santa Barbara, CA
May 5-11, 2025 | Virtual Festival

"See the world not just as it is, but as it could be."

Dear Conscious Cinema Enthusiasts,

The wait is over! Individual tickets for the 11th Annual ILLUMINATE Film Festival are NOW AVAILABLE! After months of anticipation and with festival passes already selling quickly, you can now secure your seats for specific films and events that speak to your soul.

This year's theme, "Looking Through the Lens of Love," brings together an extraordinary collection of transformative films, world premieres, and exclusive events that will expand your awareness and ignite your spirit.

DON'T MISS OUT - TICKETS ARE LIMITED!

Many of our screenings reached capacity last year, and with this year's exceptional lineup, we anticipate another sell-out festival. Individual tickets are available only while they last!

Been waiting for individual tickets? We hear you! For those who've been considering attending but weren't ready to commit to a full festival pass, this is your moment. Now you can handpick the exact films and events that resonate with you most while still experiencing the transformative magic of ILLUMINATE.

ALL PATHS LEAD TO ILLUMINATE

Your Guide to Finding Films & Events

Whether you're a visual browser, a schedule planner, or a details person, we've got multiple ways for you to discover what's playing at ILLUMINATE Film Festival 2025!

For Film Explorers

Visit illuminatefilmfestival.com/film-guide to browse our curated selection of transformational films with detailed descriptions, trailers, and themes.

For Schedule Planners

Check out our complete chronological schedule at illuminate2025.eventive.org/schedule to plan your festival experience day-by-day, including special events and panels.

First-Time Visitors

Not sure where to start? Our recommendations:

1. Explore film descriptions on our main site
2. Check the schedule to plan your days
3. Purchase passes or individual tickets through either platform

Pro Tip: Both sites contain the same incredible festival content - just organized differently to suit your browsing style! Whether you start with films that catch your eye or plan according to your available dates, you'll end up with the same transformative ILLUMINATE experience.

Need help deciding? Our team is always available at [email protected] to guide you to your perfect festival journey!

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS

Join us at the historic Granada Theatre for a soul-stirring opening featuring a special keynote by global visionary Lynne Twist, followed by the Santa Barbara premiere of "Wisdom of Happiness" (executive produced by Richard Gere) — featuring what may be the Dalai Lama's final film appearance offering practical wisdom for our challenging times.

*Please note: Opening Night Tickets must be purchased through the Granada website. Passholders receive complimentary admission to opening night and do not need to purchase separate tickets - simply present your festival badge at the door.

GET YOUR OPENING NIGHT TICKETS

MUST SEE PREMIERES

Wolf’s Message
WORLD PREMIERE (In Person & Virtual)
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.

Rescued Hearts
WORLD PREMIERE (In Person)
Personal stories and scientific studies illuminate the profound and often miraculous connection between humans and horses. Inspired by a nonverbal boy with autism speaking his first words while interacting with a horse, filmmakers seek to uncover the deeper meaning behind this extraordinary bond and how horses help us heal and reconnect.

My Father - The Healer
WORLD PREMIERE (Virtual)
A docudrama about a Chinese QiGong Master who grew up in brutal conditions during the Cultural Revolution in Maoist China, where he had to keep his gifts a secret. He eventually fled to the West and developed a significant following but also experienced a crushing fall from grace. While he'd helped thousands to heal themselves from terminal diseases, he'd neglected to heal himself –from his own ancestral trauma.

CONSCIOUS CINEMA ESSENTIALS

Between the Mountain and the Sky
Executive produced by Mark & Jay Duplass, this film follows humanitarian Maggie Doyne as she creates a family with over 50 Nepalese children. When tragedy strikes shortly after being named CNN Hero of the Year, Maggie and her extraordinary family must find resilience in the face of loss.

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.”

The Dalai Lama's Gift
WEST COAST PREMIERE
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.

AND SO MUCH MORE!
See full line-up on our website.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING

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! MORE INFO

The Feminine Heroic Screenwriting Workshop
Join acclaimed screenwriting experts Dara Marks and Deb Norton for a transformative one-day workshop in which participants will dive into ancient myths and contemporary stories to uncover powerful archetypal patterns that can be harnessed to elevate their storytelling. MORE INFO

Indigenous Voices Shorts Program
Experience powerful stories from Indigenous filmmakers worldwide, including "From God to Man," "We Going Home Now," and "Mother Father Blood." MORE INFO

Poetry in Motion Shorts Program
Immerse yourself in artistic short films that blend visual poetry with spiritual themes. MORE INFO

AND SO MUCH MORE!
See full line-up on our website.

FOUR WAYS TO EXPERIENCE ILLUMINATE

FESTIVAL PASSES: Get the complete ILLUMINATE experience with a Festival Pass, offering access to all events, priority seating, and special perks - the ultimate way to immerse yourself in conscious cinema.

IN-PERSON TICKETS: Choose individual screenings at Santa Barbara's premier venues (May 1-4) - starting at just $15.

VIRTUAL TICKETS: Access selected films from anywhere in the world (May 5-11) - starting at just $10. Want to see the whole line-up virtually? Get you pass here ($65).

INDUSTRY HIVE DAY PASS: Join our May 1 industry summit to connect with filmmakers, producers, and conscious media leaders.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

ATTENTION
GLOW PASS HOLDERS!

Important reminder: With individual tickets now on sale to the general public, your priority seating is only guaranteed when you reserve your spot for each screening.

Action required: Please log in to your account now to reserve your seats for each film and event you plan to attend. Once a screening reaches capacity, even additional Glow Pass holders cannot be accommodated.
Questions? Email [email protected]

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR MICRO-SHORTS PEOPLE’S CHOICE!

The "Oneness of Humanity" Micro-Shorts People's Choice voting is now open! These powerful 90-second films explore our interconnectedness through love, kindness, and joy.
How to Vote (deadline: April 15, 11:59pm PT):

1. Watch the micro-shorts on our YouTube Playlist
2. Complete the voting ballot rating films on a 5-star scale (1 star = 1 vote, 5 stars = 5 votes)
3. For extra support, remember that YouTube likes and comments also count as votes!

You can edit your ratings anytime until the deadline. Thank you for helping recognize filmmakers who celebrate our shared humanity!

CAST YOUR VOTE NOW

ILLUMINATE is more than a film festival—it's a global movement using the power of visual storytelling to elevate human consciousness and inspire lasting personal, social, and planetary transformation.

When we gather around these powerful stories, we create space for empathy, curiosity, and collective dreaming of a new way for humanity to be together.

With gratitude,

The ILLUMINATE Team

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