Meet Téana David | Film Festival Artistic Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Téana David and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Téana, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The muses work in mysterious ways, and I would say it’s more that they pursued me, which I’m sure many creatives reading this can relate to. While my main focus growing up was competitive gymnastics, many different styles of dance came into my life at an early age, such as tap, ballet, jazz, and modern, which led to theatrical training. As a young teen, I acted in Canadian TV as well as films for the National Film Board of Canada. Now, as a story coach for film and television projects and the Artistic Director of the Illuminate Film Festival, I am still in the business of storytelling, just through a more zoomed-out lens. It’s actually very creative to curate a film festival; you’re putting together a bouquet of films: Each film must stand on its own while fitting in and adding to the beauty of the whole arrangement. It’s both an intuitive and highly practical endeavor. I appreciate that my journey has been varied but has always involved the telling of stories, which, if done well, speak to the emotional and psychological sides of life, helping us feel closer to all that is and hopefully to each other.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Back in 2016, I began curating and producing for Deepak Chopra as the director of his New York event center, which was called Deepak Homebase. For the next three years, I designed about 75 events per year featuring spiritual teachers, authors, integrative doctors, and social architects. Some of the guests that most inspired me were sociologist Brené Brown, poet Mark Nepo, humanitarian Zainab Salbi, and the wonderful earth protector Vandana Shiva. It was a niche space centered around wellness, spiritual growth, and environmental and social activism where I learned to tune in deeply to the zeitgeist of the community and curate from a place of deep intuition and service.

Now, as a curator of films for festivals, the main lesson I’ve learned along the way is that you can’t please all the people all the time. Some audience members will love a particular film while others really will not. That’s OK. This reiterates to me how unique we all are in our tastes and the importance of standing in my aesthetic sensibilities and trusting the bigger curatorial picture that I am holding.

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?
I love this question! Our perfect day trip would begin in LA, where we’d settle into a comfortable train ride up to Santa Barbara. The journey itself is part of the experience, offering breathtaking coastal views of the Pacific Ocean.

Upon disembarking in Santa Barbara, we’d rent e-bikes downtown, which are ideal for navigating the gentle slopes of the area.

Our first stop would be The Sacred Space in Summerland. This isn’t just a shop, it’s more like a spiritual sanctuary. We’d wander through its exquisitely curated gardens filled with serene Buddha statues, calming water features, and beautiful plants, all while sipping Bengal Spice tea, which they always have available. Inside, we could check out their unique jewelry and spiritual books, perhaps even finding a special gift for someone.

Just a short bike ride away, we’d arrive at Godmother’s Books, a relatively new independent bookstore also in Summerland. This sweet spot is a haven for those of us who love books, filled with an eclectic mix of titles. After exploring its shelves for hidden literary gems, we’d step outside to their cafe to enjoy a casual bite, savoring the laid-back Summerland vibe.

Hopping back on our e-bikes, we’d pedal up to Montecito for an immersive visit to Lotusland. This isn’t just any garden; it’s a fantastical, 37-acre botanical wonderland and former estate of opera singer Ganna Walska. We’d spend a couple of hours wandering through its eccentric-themed gardens. It’s like Alice in Wonderland!

Finally, to cap off our perfect day, we’d head to Lilac Montecito on Coast Village Road for dinner. This friendly restaurant offers a refined yet relaxed dining experience that happens to be gluten-free (though you’d never know it). We’d indulge in their thoughtfully prepared dishes, featuring fresh, local ingredients.. Et voila, the perfect day just a stone’s throw from LA!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I completed my Master’s Degree in Contemporary Performance at the Buddhist-inspired Naropa University, where I was introduced to the concept of “Dharma Art”. Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who founded Naropa, defines Dharma Art as “art that springs from an awakened state of mind”. I credit Naropa for planting this seed of, “where am I speaking from or creating from”? Everything we do springs from a particular state of mind. Is it a neurotic state or a peaceful state? It’s helpful to observe this in ourselves as it imprints into our creations and affects those who experience our art, and anything we put into the world.

Website: www.wiseplanetmedia.com / www.illuminatefilmfestival.com

Instagram: @teanadavid.film

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/t%C3%A9ana-david-5b711691/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teanadavid/

Image Credits
Monie Photography