The Association for Global New Thought (AGNT) recently announced that Centers for Spiritual Living™, an international New Thought organization, will serve as the lead sponsor for AGNT’s first “Awakened World Film Festival Retreat,” being held in Santa Barbara, California, on October 27-30.
Centers for Spiritual Living™ is a global community comprised of 400 spiritual communities, teaching chapters, study groups and other ministries in 30 countries, teaching a New Thought philosophy through the study and practice of Science of Mind®, also known as Religious Science®.
“We are excited to have this chance to partner with AGNT on this event that will inspire and uplift our global consciousness,” said Rev. Dr. Kenn Gordon, Spiritual Leader for Centers for Spiritual Living™. “This festival will present empowering films, music and messages by talented and spiritual by filmmakers and storytellers from around the globe.”
The “Awakened World International Film Festival Retreat” will present cutting edge films and interactive workshops that will guide participants from inspiration to transformative action in three streams: Spirit, Society and Self. Headlining the festival are films produced by several Hollywood notables, including A Place at the Table by Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges, and The Hungry Ghosts, produced by Michael Imperioli of The Sopranos fame. The wide variety of films offered will include both feature films and documentaries from around the world.
“Film, at its best, touches, moves and inspires us to be our best selves — and to make a difference in the world,” said Barbara Fields, executive director of AGNT. “We created this event to give a voice to those artists with a deep desire to inform, enlighten, and heal the wounds that prevent us from actively co-creating a better and more peaceful world.”
Over four nights and three days, attendees will enjoy evening concerts and plenary sessions in Santa Barbara’s landmark Lobero Theater, and select from a daily menu of films and workshops taking place at three downtown viewing venues: the Lobero, Center Stage Theater, and Unity of Santa Barbara. Each session will begin with a brief contemplative practice guided by teachers from a diverse variety of spiritual traditions. After each film, a Q&A panel with filmmakers, actors, renowned teachers, directors or producers will take place followed by a facilitated workshop in which the audience, itself, will be invited into dialogue shaped by the film’s core concepts that inspire and transform us.
The Association for Global New Thought was founded in 1998 to represent the leading edge of the New Thought lineage. Its constituent member churches among Unity, Religious Science, and non- denominational New Thought spiritual communities are called forth by a deep commitment to facilitate the principles and practices of nonviolence, social justice, and concern for the earth family. Centers for Spiritual Living™ is a global community that teaches a New Thought philosophy that brings religion and science together and offers spiritual tools to transform personal lives and help make the world a better place.
For more information and a complete list of the films, visit www.agnt.org.
