MEET ME WHERE I AM To Have US Premiere At Dances With Films Festival 2023 In Los Angeles

"Meet Me Where I Am," a timely and intimate look about moving through grief, will make its US premiere at this year's Dances With Films (DWF) Festival, June 22nd - July 2nd at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood.

Told through individual stories with families, and grief experts, the documentary explores how we can normalize grief in our society and actively help others to process the pain of losing a loved one. Actor-author Anthony Rapp (Broadway's RENT, StarTrek: Discovery), author and grief expert David Kessler (Finding Meaning, ABC Good Morning America contributor) and actor John Farley ( the brother of late comedian Chris Farley), will attend the world premiere on Sun July 2 @ 12:15 PM to share their experiences dealing with grief, both personally and collectively, in a country reeling from multiple tragic events in recent years.

"Meet Me Where I Am" is directed by Grant Garry and produced by Stacy Roque, Lisa Kauls and Sharolyn Schmiederer. James Slaven, Director of Photography, worked with Garry for the duration of production, collaborating on their worldwide tour of interviews for the film, The 86 minute documentary also features a mixture of families, counselors, grief advocates and experts including Ron Marasco, Julie Shaw, Cynthia O'Neal, Donna Schuurman, Jana DeCristofaro, Lisa Kauls, Mike Reynolds, Ken Ithiphol, Alicia Forneret, Julisa Golden, and Natalie Kazarian.

Director Garry has always been curious about grief, from his first experience when his grandmother died when he was a teenager to his most recent loss, the death of his uncle. "Meet Me Where I Am" is the culmination of that curiosity, and a dedication to ensuring we all feel better equipped to talk about grief. "After being contacted by our film's executive producer, Lisa Kauls, and hearing her story, I knew her grief and others' grief must be witnessed. I was honored to sit down with some of the world's most renowned grief experts as well as individuals with lived experiences. The rare opportunity this film provides is that the expert talkers also have unique experiences of grief themselves, " says Garry.

On a recent episode of the Grief Out Loud Blog hosted by Jana DeCristofaro and produced by Dougy Center, Garry shared the impetus behind his project.

"A big theme of the film is normalizing just talking about it. And most people want to talk about it," he said.

One takeaway Garry personally internalized was that grief and gratitude can co-exist and that it's ok to talk about and find joy remembering your loved one.

"It's not like bringing it up is going to remind them that their person died -- they know and they carry it with them every day."

Since 1998 DANCES WITH FILMS has grown from presenting a handful of films to more than 200 each year...from narrative features and shorts to include the top documentaries, music videos, tv and web programs on the circuit today. In 2007, DWF brought new commitment to the indie world with the advent of the 2 Minute, 2 Step Short Film Challenge where we actually shoot 10 films during the festival and present them to enthusiastic audiences. In 2012 the festival moved to its current location - the famed TCL Chinese Theatres in the heart of Hollywood. From there it has expanded to 11 days with ever increasing sold out screenings.

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