The ILLUMINATE Film Festival 2026 is held on October 2–4, 2026 in Santa Barbara, California. Last year, we gathered as a community to witness stories that opened hearts, challenged assumptions, and reminded us what’s possible when conscious cinema is experienced together. From sold-out screenings to soul-stirring conversations, ILLUMINATE 2025 was a celebration of film as a catalyst for awakening.
Together, we experienced:
A landmark opening night featuring a film executive produced by Richard Gere, with a keynote by Lynne Twist
Films executive produced by SIA and Mark and Jay Duplass, and an INCREDIBLE full-theater music celebration with The Brother’s Koren on closing night
Deep post-film integrations that invited insight to become embodiment
The inaugural Oneness of Humanity Micro-Short Film Contest, awarding $25,000 in prizes and elevating the power of 90-second storytelling (submissions now open for 2026!)
Honoring visionary filmmakers, artists, and change-makers shaping the future of conscious media
In 2026, ILLUMINATE enters a new chapter.
The festival experience will be more intimate, more immersive, and more intentional; a curated journey designed for presence, dialogue, and meaningful connection.
