Welcome to Life and Death Matters International, Multi-media Festival aka LADmatters

This Colorado-based, international festival celebrates and explores the journey through life via film, theatre, and educational programming.

 

WE DID IT!

Our inaugural festival was a heartwarming success! Four days of fabulous films, original plays, some very special guest speakers, educational workshops, music, food and more… we’re still feeling the glow! The 2011 LADmatters offered:

• 30 International Films
• 18 Educational Programs
• 9 Original Plays
• Temple Grandin, PhD, Guest Speaker

We kicked it off with an amazing Opening Gala September 1^st with musicians Amy McGinnis, and Denise Gentilini and the We Are Voices Project featuring Hazel Miller and Beth Avedis, followed by the breathtaking film Contracorriente (Undertow).

From our opening night to the closing ceremony on Sunday, the Nomad Theatre was filled with entertainment, emotional roundtable discussions, exciting on-stage performances, and valuable talkback sessions following films.  Close-by at the Kelly Barn, people danced, laughed, made music, and learned new skills as they participated in educational workshops.

Temple Grandin, PhD delighted us all with her very personal and inspiring presentation about autism, animals, and how we can help our children navigate their educational years.

 

 

We experienced the thrill of live theatre Saturday with nine amazing original plays, all with imaginative themes that reflected on some aspect of life and death (including mayflies and having a deity as a boyfriend!).

Our film selection brought laughter, tears, applause, and in-depth discussion. Controversial topics were examined, ‘taboo’ subjects were brought to light. We hosted an array of filmmakers from as far away as Germany and England and celebrated their willingness to travel to Boulder and be a part of it all.

We closed out our festival with wonderful guests speakers – Congressman Jared Polis, CU Theatre Professor Beth Osnes, Boulder International Film Festival Director Kathy Beeck – and ended with a rousing award ceremony. It was a pleasure to recognize all of those who made the festival a success, and we congratulate our award winners!

Special thanks to the evening’s musical guests: Mr. Piano, cellist Phil Norman, and Tendai Muparutsa and the Colorado Marimba All Stars!

See the video of our Overview of the LADmatters Festival.

Now we turn our attention to preparing for next year! Expect more great programming for the 2012 LADmatters Festival with special quarterly events that will keep our mission and momentum going year ’round. Our deepest thanks to everyone who made this a spectacular festival!

The LADmatters Managing Board

 

 

Karen van Vuuren

Erin Kelly

Robin Truesdale

Diane Feliciano-Welpe

 

 

 

 

Our Vision:

Have you ever faced a life challenge?

How have you navigated through your own life transitions?

Have you had the knowledge, the support, and the encouragement to come through these well?

The world is changing. We’re talking more about things we used to hide. We’re looking more closely at how we face and navigate life transitions. Our programming reflects this cultural shift in looking at life through a different lens.

We, Karen van Vuuren and Erin Kelly, have a vision of exploring matters of life and death through film, theater, seminars, and workshops.  We are also about building community. We, the directors of Life And Death Matters, affectionately known as LADmatters, see our festival as a work of service. LADmatters strives to raise awareness, cultivate sensitivity, and develop empathy around how we meet life challenges.

Do you have a story to share?  Do you share our vision?  Join us!  Get involved! We need your help to do this.

Blessings, Erin and Karen

Karen and Erin at the 2011 Awards Ceremony