Conscious Legacy:
Looking Through the Lens of Love
Written by Elizabeth McCabe
“It felt like a journey instead of a film festival... You couldn’t ignore the messages. They were speaking to people and connecting us in meaningful ways.” – Monica
Legacy was the word—and the mood—on April 16th, when A Kinder World of Commerce hosted its 5th Legacy Hour in partnership with Santa Barbara’s vibrant and visionary new conscious film festival, ILLUMINATE, at the historic University Club. Thoughtfully curated, heart-forward, and richly inspiring, the afternoon embodied the mission of both organizations: to elevate human consciousness and spark personal, community, and planetary transformation.
“This event was like an appetizer,” said Kia Kiso, Interim Executive Director of ILLUMINATE. “It was a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and get a taste of what’s to come.”
And what a taste it was. Guests were treated to a sneak peek of trailers from the upcoming ILLUMINATE Fim Festival (May 1–11), giving attendees an exclusive look at this year’s themes, stories, and cinematic gems. The evening also revisited the deeply moving, award-winning short film Abundance: The Farmlink Story—a powerful 23-minute documentary that left a lasting impression from last year's festival and once again stirred hearts with its timeless message.
“That film—more than any other—made by a person still in his 20s, Owen Dubeck—shows us how one person can change the world,” shared Téana David, ILLUMINATE’s Artistic Director. “By involving their friends, 20-something college students got food to people who needed it and prevented it from going to the landfill. It’s a beautiful example of film being used to inspire and create tangible impact.”
Kia added, “What’s incredible about Abundance is that it inspired Owen, and other filmmakers, to make more films with more impact.” Abundance is a beautiful example of how film can have a transformative ripple effect—a digital medium to inspire people, motivating them to action.
After the screening, Téana led a thought-provoking “talk-back” with the film’s LA-based director, followed by a unique “Reel Integration” session, where Kia invited attendees to reflect in small groups on what the film stirred in them. From inspiration to action, every moment buzzed with connection, curiosity and impact.
Adding to the experience, Monica, referred to lovingly as “the hostess with the mostess” grounded the evening with a guided meditation that set the tone for a night rooted in intention. “I like how focused these initiatives are on impact,” she reflected. “One of the women left me a 3-minute voicemail afterwards that she was sending it to all of her "mommy" friends with young children. I could just feel her buzzing with inspiration and excitement. Another attendee called to let me know she had invited Owen onto her podcast!"
Gratitude poured in for the sponsors who made the evening possible: Dhara Solanki (Pelvic Health Center of Santa Barbara), Cindy Feinberg (Stroll Magazine, Hope Ranch), Marine Schuman (Brighten Solar), ILLUMINATE, and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden—whose contributions, including garden and festival tickets, added to the spirit of generosity.
And Monica? She’s didn't just attend the festival—she sponsored one of its most anticipated films: Between the Mountain and the Sky, which was shown on Saturday, May 3 at 6:30 pm. “To my amazement, I met the remarkable woman featured in the documentary, Maggie Doyne, three years ago while she was promoting her memoir in Santa Barbara,” she said. “Her story moved me to tears and is truly unforgettable.”—I’m certain the film will leave a lasting imprint on our hearts.” Of the 17 friends who joined Monica that night, one texted her after the film to say that he and his wife were so inspired, they donated $5,000 to BlinkNow—the nonprofit that supports Maggie’s work.
According to Téana, the film “is a personal journey story about a young woman who travels to Nepal on a gap-year and ends up settling there and starting an orphanage. And while it's her journey from love to loss and back to love, it's a theme that awakens all of us to our greatest potential. If that woman can do such meaningful work halfway across the world, it calls forth your own sense of service. It’s incredibly inspiring.”
Festival buzz was already in the air thanks to the Oneness of Humanity Micro-Shorts initiative—films 90-second or less films inspired by the theme Love, Kindness and Joy, with support from Spiritual Life TV Channel. With nearly 700 submissions and more than a quarter of a million impressions and 38,000 views, likes and comments, viewers from around the world voted.
A jury including Chaz Ebert, Louie Schwartzberg, and Xiye Bastida awarded cash prizes totaling $25,000—another example of ILLUMINATE’s real-world impact through storytelling.
Téana, ever the architect of the festival’s emotional arc, shared her curatorial vision: “We don’t see the films as individuals. We see them as the journey from head to heart.” This year’s theme, “Looking Through the Lens of Love,” echoed through every offering of the festival. From opening night’s The Wisdom of Happiness—an intimate portrait of the Dalai Lama, executive produced by Richard Gere—and Friday evening’s Rescued Hearts, which explored the powerful healing connection between horses and humans, to Sunday morning’s free community screening of Finding Happy and the closing workshop, The Art of Integration, led by Matt and Joy Kahn, the festival pulsed with purpose and individual transformation.
One of the festival’s final screenings was Feeding Tomorrow, a documentary directed by Oliver and Simon English that follows a brave group of visionary leaders in agriculture, healthcare, and education as they work to build a more just and regenerative food system. “This film underscores one of ILLUMINATE’s core values: the importance of joining together as a community to focus on solutions and create a more caring civilization,” said Téana.
As the Legacy Hour reminded everyone, ILLUMINATE is not just a film festival—it’s a movement. A celebration of light in dark times. As Monica said best, “You couldn’t ignore the impact. It was happening in real time on multiple levels.”
For more information and to join the movement towards A Kinder World of Commerce and unite with others and inspire positive change, visit Monica’s website at monicalenchesre.com/community-matters and ILLUMINATE's website at www.illuminatefilmfestival.com.
By supporting and participating in these campaigns, individuals and businesses together can make a meaningful and lasting difference. In a time when the suffering of many is increasing and, in a world, where you can be anything, please be kinder and more caring than ever.
And lastly, need a dose of hope and possibility in the face of what seems impossible? Watch Abundance: The Farmlink Story—a free, 22-minute film that will restore your faith in humanity…and in the power of youth.
