ThrivingFest

Description

Whidbey Island-based organization Thriving Communities will host ThrivingFest, a film festival and community celebration, August 13 through 15 this summer. Participants can look forward to three days of films, panel conversations, and shared meals celebrating local leaders and community-driven organizations on the Island. For more than a decade, Thriving Communities, co-founded by Jerry Millhon in 2012, has filmed “common people doing uncommon work for the common good” — the neighbors who turn conversations into collaborations, and commitments into movements. ThrivingFest brings those stories, and the organizations behind them, together in one weekend. The festival opens Thursday evening at The Clyde Theatre with the premiere of recently produced South Whidbey Prepares, alongside a tribute to community leader–and co-founder of Thriving Communities–Lynn Willeford. Friday and Saturday programs at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts feature films and panel discussions with leaders from Hearts & Hammers, Whidbey Homeless Coalition, Organic Farm School, Whidbey Island Nourishes, Good Cheer Food Pantry, Mother Mentors, Healing Circles Langley, Partners for Youth Empowerment, and many more. Saturday's program honors the legacy of local philanthropist Nancy Nordhoff and closes with a community conversation featuring Whidbey Community Foundation focused on calls to action rooted in the regenerative power of community. All events are free, by donation. RSVP appreciated on the Thriving Communities website [https://www.thrivingcommunities.org/thrivingfest]. Drop in for a single session or attend all three days.