WHAT is MINDFUL FILMS?

Mindful Films is a NYC-based initiative, fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, that is dedicated to producing awakened cinematic content on hope, healing, and end-of-life. We believe that the darkness of an unexpected life crisis can often lead to the light of unearthing truth, clarity, and wisdom, and we are passionate about capturing that precious moment for others through documentary filmmaking. We have seen again and again how the process of filming a person during a moment of vulnerability-- such as after a cancer diagnosis, a loss, or when faced with a fatal illness-- is often a life-affirming, empowering, and cathartic experience for both subject and viewer. We believe this is much-needed narrative medicine, and that documenting wisdom that crisis often reveals is something that can awaken all of us.

Our goal with Mindful Films is to make both short- and long-form content that can be featured in film festivals, public television, streaming networks, and shared with grief support groups. We envision creating our own film festival at some point, building and offering a training program for filmmakers and TV producers who would like to do this work, and hope to be able to offer a grant in the future to one promising filmmaker per year to support them in their own pursuit of making a mindful film.