The third annual Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival "had some high points," said co-founder Mary Gervase. She was being modest. From all accounts the festival was a resounding success last weekend. Some three dozen movies from around the world were screened at both the Liberty Theatre in Hailey and the Sun Valley Opera House. Filmmakers came to discuss their movies and there were panel discussions with guest speakers.
On Friday, Sept. 14, "The Power of Forgiveness" opened the festival.
"We were sold out," Gervase said. "Standing room only. We turned 150 people away. That's a first for us. It set the tone for the whole weekend. That was the film that was sponsored by the faith community, and it was extraordinary."
For Steve Crisman's film, "Jerusalem, Stories From the Street" they were nearly full again.
"It was so exciting to see," Gervase said. "He's such a quality documentarian. It showed looking at his film."
Another highlight was "The Cats of Mirikitani" directed by Linda Hattendorf.
"This was her first film," Gervase said. "Some people came to that film twice. The film is about a Japanese American artist, and then she spoke afterwards. It gives another dimension. She took him in off the street, and he lived with her for a year while he got his American citizenship back."
Another hit was "The Healer," made in Macedonia. The filmmaker, producer and the healer flew in to attend the festival.
"The healer, Konstantin, was so charismatic," she said. "He spoke and people were just mesmerized. He said that he came to Sun Valley because he connected with the people before he even arrived, above and beyond the festival. He said he knew it was a spiritual place and he needed to come. People didn't want to leave the theater. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't return for the Sun Valley Wellness Festival or some other event. The film itself was amazing—to see a healer work on people. He heals through your energy field."
Gervase, a bubbly woman to begin with, was effusive about the whole weekend.
"I think we're finally on the map," she said. "People are finally understanding what it's about. It's not just about religion or about Buddhism. We do highlight different practices. But we showed films that are about the power of humanity, the 'Forgiveness' film for instance. These crossed spiritual and cultural borders.
"What really struck me was that a number of our guests said that being here was as renewing for them as it was for the participants. They felt rejuvenated and ready to go back to their work. Sometimes we take for granted how wonderful a place this is and what a special community it is."
"There were all the additional value-added things. I feel so very grateful. I don't know if this could have happened anywhere else."
Guest speaker Karma Lekshe Tsomo, a Buddhist nun, chats with Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival board member Anita McCann and guest Chris Turner at the Friesen Gallery. They were attending the opening reception for the festival and viewing the photography of David Edwards. Photo by David N. Seelig
