Who is Kelly? Kelly is a character in an upcoming movie in the new genre of conscious films. But in reality, she is one of us. Kelly’s character is one that encapsulates the journey that many of us are embarking upon, where the conditions of our world painstakingly pressure us into awakening.

            As we struggle through the turmoil of current political, environmental, and social challenges, the need for drastic change is becoming more and more vital. But the responsibilities that accompany change often seem too overwhelming to bear, so many of us choose the life of complacent comfort. Fortunately, this complacency is becoming increasingly infringed upon, as ecofriendly, spiritually conscious, and socially responsible messages have begun infiltrating the mainstream media. Although this wave of conscious media is chipping away at the prevalence of negative news, coma-inducing commercials, and mindless movies, the uniform life of mainstream media continues to dominate our culture.

            Consequently, conscious film producers, directors, and screenwriters are beginning to take action, declaring their mission to awaken humanity from its slumber by harnessing the power and attention invoked by media. This infiltration has been demonstrated by the creation of films such as Peaceful Warrior, Conversations with God, The Celestine Prophecy, and What the Bleep Do We Know!? New film production and distribution companies such as Cowboy’s Sweetheart Films (http://www.cowboyssweetheartfilms.com) and Intention Media (http://www.intentionmediainc.com) are also emerging with messages of change for mainstream media. John Raatz, founder and president of Visioneering Group, a marketing and public relations company for conscious media, says, “Films are beginning to demonstrate their powerful potential for transformation” and that “a new media is being created to appeal to who we are as human beings … media that touches our hearts and souls.”

            Audra Kelly, founder and CEO of Cowboy’s Sweetheart Films, is one of the pioneers on this frontier of conscious filmmaking. Audra’s current project, Awakeners, is an independent film designed to break down the barriers between “conscious seekers” and “the mainstream” by delivering a powerful message of finding one’s true self amid the common human experience (www.awakenersthemovie.com). Intention Media’s current film projects, which include Evolve Your Brain, Water, and Voice, are designed to awaken people to their personal power, while instilling hope and knowledge about the world and themselves. Like Cowboy’s Sweetheart Films and Intention Media, many production companies are beginning to notice the growing demand for movies that carry a deeper message and are stepping up to deliver inspiring entertainment to the cinema.

            Film festivals have also joined this conscious film movement, with the Gaia Film Festival just completing its third year in the United States, the first annual European Spiritual Film Festival scheduled for March of 2009, and Elevate Film Festival coming up this October. These festivals, combined with growing online film communities, are helping bring these inspirational films to the masses. Spiritual Cinema Circle, Conscious Movie Network, REEL Inspiration, and other online communities are devoted to sharing inspirational films with the world. And educational forums, initiated by the Institute for Spiritual Entertainment Los Angeles and the Conscious Media Institute, are devoted to teaching conscious filmmaking to those writing and producing the films.

            With this film genre attaining increasing popularity, it may not be long before Hollywood acknowledges the demand for transformational films or simply awakens altogether. And as conscious filmmakers, directors, producers, actors, and public relations agencies enter the mainstream media and inspire the masses with messages of hope, empowerment, and unity, perhaps the masses will join the movement toward a more unified conscious world. And maybe … just maybe … our children will not grow up relating to the story of Kelly, as our media will have changed from a coma-inducing agent into an instrument of profound transformation.

References: www.awakenersthemovie.com, http://www.cowboyssweetheartfilms.com, http://www.bleepingherald.com/may2008/raatz, http://www.intentionmediainc.com, http://www.gaiafilmfest.com, http://www.elevateexperience.com