INSPIRATION FILM FESTIVAL 2006 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

THE SECOND ANNUAL INSPIRATION FILM FESTIVAL - CELEBRATING FILMS THAT MATTER

Press Contact: Tracy Mallozzi / Jeff Rose 310-280-3710
tracy@therosegrp.com / jeff@therosegrp.com

2nd ANNUAL INSPIRATION FILM FESTIVAL TO SHOWCASE FILMS THAT INSPIRE AND CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE

(Santa Monica, Calif.) - March 6, 2006 - The Inspiration Film Festival (IFF) which showcases films that inspire us, lift our spirit and transform our lives is being held April 28-30, 2006 in Santa Monica, Calif. This year's festival is currently accepting submissions that align with the spiritual cinema genre in three major categories: feature film, documentary and short films, with winners receiving cash prizes of $15,000, $5,000 and $5,000, respectively. The submission deadline for entries to be postmarked is March 17, 2006. There is no entry fee. Visit www.inspirationfilmfestival.com for entry details.

This year's festival will screen films, over three days, at the Laemmle Monica 4-plex in Santa Monica, Calif. This year's festival will showcase the best in narrative features, full length documentaries, narrative shorts, animated works, children's films or experimental art films. Last year's festival submissions included the highly successful documentary "Real Dirt on Farmer John" which won the Gaia Documentary Award and "Illusion" which won the Gaia Feature Film Award. Both of these winners were picked up from the festival for national distribution and will be in theaters in spring 2006.

"We're looking forward to building upon the success of last year's festival and spreading awareness around a unique and ever-growing genre of film making," said John Raatz, founder and president of the Visioneering Group, a public relations firm linking spirit, vision and values with communication to promote a positive future. "At the same time, we're also looking to build a festival that will attract some of today's most forward thinking and innovative filmmakers."

The jury for this year's festival is still being finalized. Last year's judges included: screenwriter and Environmental Media Award and Genesis Award winner, Corey Blechman ("Free Willy," "Dominick and Eugene"); Nina Utne, Chairwoman and CEO, Utne Magazine; Emmy nominee and educator, Johanna Demetrakas (Out of Line); John Raatz, founder and president, The Visioneering Group; producer Barnet Bain ("What Dreams May Come" and "The Celestine Prophecy"); visual effects animator and supervisor, Marlon West; and television writer-producer, Kate McCallum.

The presenting sponsor of this year's festival will once again be Gaiam, the lifestyle media company that caters to people who value personal development, natural health and inspirational entertainment.

The event will run in conjunction with the LOHAS 10 (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) Forum. LOHAS 10 is a three-day business conference bringing together businesses concerned with promoting environmentally sound, healthy business practices and consumer purchasing choices.

About The Inspiration Film Festival:

Now in its second year, the Inspiration Film Festival is presented by Conscious Media and Awakened Media, and takes place in Santa Monica, California April 28-30, 2006. An Inspiration Film is a movie that inspires us, lifts our spirit, or transforms our lives. An Inspiration Film makes us feel more hopeful, more thankful, more connected, more passionate, and better about life in general. We identify with an Inspiration Film's characters on a deep, emotional level, and are motivated by their stories to pursue positive change in our own lives. An Inspiration film honors the belief that simple choices can change the world and inspire us to make a difference.