One of this year’s selections at ILLUMINATE, a five day film festival dedicated to elevating human consciousness through cinema, is Ama’ara – Song of the Whales, a poetic film by German based director Sebastian Jobst that tells the story of spiritual singer and healer Marina Trost, who follows her calling to cross oceans and save whales in order to create a new and loving relationship between humans and these majestic beings. When Christel saw this film for the first time, Marina’s wish to communicate with the whales gave her goosebumps, as the two women share not only being vocalists but also the whales’ call. It was at director Sebastian Jobst’s invitation that Christel Veraart created a sound healing to follow the screening of his film. Her composition Dreaming of Whales will be presented, following the screening of Ama’ara – Song of the Whales. Inspired by Christel’s music, Sebastian Jobst created a beautiful short movie that features both director’s and composer’s strengths. It allows for a deepening of the audience’s experience, and, in line with ILLUMINATE’s vision, hopes to inspire lasting transformation and awareness.
A live virtual Q&R will take place on Saturday, May 22, 3:00 pm PDT with director Sebastian Jobst, whale cinematographer Denesa Chan, composer, musician, singer, and sound meditation guide Christel Veraart, Director of Sacred SoundWorks and the School for Sound Vickie Dodd, and Founder/Director of Globe Sound Healing Institute David Gibson.
- Virtual Screenings – available for purchase on May 20
- Live Virtual Q&R – Saturday, May 22, 3 pm PDT
- In Person Screening – Sedona’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Sunday May 23rd at 4 pm PDT.