In a groovy little theater in the Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque, filmmakers, friends and strangers gathered to screen Hearts In The Himalayas. Everyone asks if I am nervous. I respond with a soft but confident "No."   My only concern is that there are no technical issues that flare up. It is out of my control now and all I can do is absorb the experience. 
The theater goes to black and the film begins with that first note of music and that awesome first shot of the Lapa Valley. Wait for it.  I hear the first "Oohs!" from the audience.   As Himalayan HealthCare  founder Anil Parajuli  begins  to             

Wow! The Albuquerque Film and Media Experience  festival organizers pulled off and incredible family friendly event, which made all of us filmmakers feel like VIPS.  Sometimes film festivals are over run with ...well, jerks.  I can say hands down, this was the most inclusive and supportive festival experience  I have ever a had. Their mission is simply "to create oneness through the power of film, media and arts."  They accomplish this by merging media, technology, movies, food and art into one festival  wrapped up with down home hospitality. 
It does  not matter if you are a small independent like me or a big time producer like Emma Thompson,  all of us joined together to share ideas, experiences and  support to each other's films.  The founders, Lainie S. Quirk and Ivan Wiener were hand picked by Robert Redford (Yep, THAT guy) 

Tonight is the screening of Hearts In The Himalayas here at the Albuquerque Media and Film Experience Film Festival.  This festival has been nothing but top notch laid back and first class everything.  Great movie selections, great speakers, great parties!  Best of all, I have met so many talented film makers here who are willing to share their experiences and expertise.   I am not easily impressed (most of you know that), but the films screening here are wicked crazy good.  If you get a chance to see SOLD, do it and expect to be moved.  SOLD is a full-length feature film adapted from the National Book Award Nominated and Quill Award-Winning novel by Patricia McCormick. Based on true stories, SOLD is the story of Lakshmi's journey from a peaceful, rural village in Nepal to the gritty brothels of Kolkata, India.  A few more films I highly recommend include  Timeless and  Grace.

As  many of you know, our documentary Hearts In The Himalayas was selected to be part of  the Albuquerque Film and Media Experience this week.   Who knew our film about Himalayan HealthCare would receive so much attention?  To date, Hearts has received 15 awards and or film festival invitations.  To know that the film has touched so many people and brought awareness to the incredible work Anil Parajuli and his team are doing in the Dhading region of Nepal makes all of the ups and downs of the three year project worth it. 

AFME has a strong lineup of socially conscious films made in Asia and Ireland for festival goers to experience. Additionally they have seminars and speakers available to discuss their projects and methods.  I am excited to hear Lisa Kristine speak. She is an acclaimed humanitarian photographer who has gained worldwide recognition for her collaboration with the NGO Free The Slaves. Her work on Slavery will be featured in two films to be released this year. Sold was produced by Oscar winning team, Emma Thompson and Jeffery Brown.  One of the characters is inspired by Lisa and played by Gillian Anderson.