We had the good fortune of connecting with Marina Shtoda, Konstantin Starodetskii and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marina Shtoda,, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Marina, as a producer and actress, and I, Konstantin, as a director and writer were visiting numerous film festivals around the world. In the process, we discovered that there are a lot of films out there that portray unnecessary violence and darkness, that was the moment when we thought what if we create a film festival that promotes more light in the soul of the audience and can be a great step towards healing ourselves, especially in the time of crisis like the one we’re experiencing now. The name of our festival “Atman” in Sanskrit means inner self, soul, or spirit, which reflects our motto, “Films that unite humanity and uplift souls.”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Atman Film Festival brings together the most creative storytellers from around the Globe and the most vibrant international audience for its first annual program of narrative short films independent from the release date. The festival provides a platform for networking opportunities for the global filmmaking community. Our goal is to create an inspiring environment where creators and audiences discover unique and innovative stories that unite humanity and uplift souls. The Festival will feature exhibitions, VR experiences, and live performances. The 2020 Atman Film Festival will take place on October 3rd, 2020.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would recommend visiting the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is an incredible place to visit when you need to find a place to recharge. Another great place to heal your soul is Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens. In both spots, you’ll experience LA in a way that is unique even if you lived in LA for years.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We are eternally grateful to the City Council of West Hollywood, who provided us with resources and support to make The Atman Film Festival a reality.

Website: https://www.atmanfilmfestival.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atmanfilmfest/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Atman-film-festival-102291214657480/
Other: Film Freeway: https://filmfreeway.com/AtmanFilmFest

Image Credits
Nelson Chen

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