Meeting The Buddha, wins Best International Feature Documentary at Royal Starr Film Festival
A feature documentary about the life of the 16th Karmapa and his student Ole Nydahl – this film is a journey beyond borders and lifetimes, capturing the unshakable bond between teacher and disciple and the living transmission of Tibetan Buddhism to the West. Edited by Ash Jenkins.
Meeting the Buddha presents the life and legacy of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje – the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The film captures the remarkable presence of this “Living Buddha”, tracing his early years in Tibet, his preservation of the lineage in exile in India, and his vision to spread Buddhism to the modern world.
In this context, we meet Ole Nydahl, a wild young hippie from Denmark who, as a small child, had declared his wish to become the “Danish champion of mind.” His life is radically transformed by a chance encounter with the Karmapa in 1969. He and his wife, Hannah, become key figures in bringing Buddhism to the West, founding hundreds of meditation centres – from Mexico City to Vladivostok – and carrying forward their teacher’s vision with unshakable dedication.
Amid political upheaval in Tibet and cultural transformation in the West, Meeting the Buddha tells the richly historical yet deeply personal story of how timeless wisdom found its way into contemporary life. Through interviews, animation, and never-before-seen footage, this documentary honours the profound bond between teacher and student that sustains the living transmission of the Karma Kagyu lineage.
Editor of the film, Ash Jenkins, BFE is fascinated by life’s deeper mysteries and drawn to stories that explore the realms of belief and spiritual experience – a devotion that found a natural home in Meeting the Buddha, bringing to the screen the stories of the Karmapas, Tibetan Rinpoches, and Lama Ole with his late wife, Hannah.
Meeting the Buddha was crafted with creative dedication at Bloomsbury Post House.
Production Company: The Beautiful Truth
Producer, Director, Writer: Marta György-Kessler
Awards;
- Best international Documentary – Royal Starr Film Festival
- Best Director (Feature Film) – Cine Paris Film Festival
- Best Director (Documentary) – Berlin Indie Film Festival
- Best Documentary – Chicago Women Film Festival
- Award of Excellence – Special Mention – IndieFEST Film Awards
- Award of Excellence – History/Biographical – IndieFEST Film Awards
- Best Human Interest Film – WPFA Awards
- Award Winner – The Impact DOCS Awards
- Nominee – LA Independent Women Film Awards
